Madeline Monday

Madeline is no ordinary little girl. She challenges me daily to be better. Whether it's a better mom, friend, or person in general. Her constant thoughtfulness of others, generosity, and genuine kindness amaze me. I have no idea how I raised such a exceptional little girl.

Madeline was born on a Wednesday a mere 3 months after my 18th birthday. After being discharged from the hospital on a Saturday, I dropped her off with my grandmother the following Monday to start my first day of college. While all of this sounds unbelievable, amazing, etc. I don't consider myself so for a minute. God had a definite plan when he created her, and I see the blessings of her life all the time.

She makes me laugh. There are many times when I can't discipline her because I'm too busy laughing. Like the time when she was having to watch Brynn so her daddy could finish up something and she asks, "How much longer?" Bo says, "10 minutes." Madeline replies, "well, that is 10 minutes too long!" ~good point

Or when she asks for cheese grits and her dad replies, "I don't know how to make them." Madeline replies, "pathetic!" ~again, good point

It's moments like this that are impossible to get onto her, because I can't stop laughing!

She makes me proud. She has recently joined the swim team and improved tremendously and loves every minute of it. She literally started crying one night when I told her that I didn't sign her up for a swim meet after she prayed that night for God to help her do well in the meet. With a mom as a long time swimmer she knows she has a lot to live up to, and she is doing just that! She also makes me proud in school. She has been on the highest reading level in her class since Kindergarten. She loves to read, I find her in her room with her nose stuck in a book everyday. I wish I could enjoy reading half as much as her. She tells me every week that she finishes her timed tests first, and I can't help but do a mini fist punch.

She also makes me, me. We only think we raise our children, and maybe other people do, but Madeline has raised me. She raised me up a little bit quicker than I would have liked, but who says we get to choose. If Madeline hadn't have come into my life, I can only imagine where I'd be. Wherever it is I know I wouldn't be as happy, blessed, or fulfilled as I am now. Madeline truly does challenge me everyday, and I feel like I'm growing up right along with her. I only hope that I have half of the incredible impact on her life that she has had on mine.