The Making of M.O.M.

Today my 16 year old sister begins her first day of her junior year of high school. Just writing that sentence blows me away because in my mind she will always be 5 years old and look exactly like this:

I know. Kids all over the country are beginning school this week so what makes my sister so special? What makes her first day of her junior year more significant than most 16 year old girls?

Today is the first day that she will go to school without her mother alive. Today is the first day that she will realize that she is not like all the other girls anymore. When other 16 year old girls complain about fights with their moms, her heart will feel that twinge of pain and she will be reminded that she doesn't have that luxury. While other girls are reassured by their mothers that their outfit does indeed look great, she will stare at herself in the mirror and have to reassure herself. When she walks down the halls she will surely pass the nurse's office where her mother used to work. She will be reminded that her mom is no longer just a few doors away. Memories of her mom, her best friend, will flood her heart and mind, no doubt.

Today my sister becomes a woman in so many ways. Today she faces giants that seem to loom in the distance. Today she faces fears that I could never imagine. Today she faces life without her best friend.

Please be in prayer for my sister today. I cannot tell you how proud I am of the young woman that she is becoming. However, this year will prove to be the biggest test of her faith. If you have a few moments, won't you beseech the Wonderful Counselor on her behalf?

Thank you friends. Thank you so very much.

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31

This week will hopefully prove to be a BIG week in the Beaver house. At some point this week the clerk of court should sign Aaron's adoption paperwork and give us a call and say, "Congratulations! I'm so excited for you! Your adoption of this precious child is official. I'm so excited for you that I will personally drive his paperwork to your house myself!"

or possibly a less dramatic,

"Hello. I signed your paperwork today and will mail it to you this week."

Probably the latter but I like living in the land of excitement and drama, clearly.

In other news, we had our first showing on our house last night. The agent's feedback stated that the potential buyers had 4 four year olds and that they were looking for more of a neighborhood setting.

4 four year olds huh? I'm hoping that means they understood the massive stains on our carpet and the fact that there were creepy headless Barbies laying about in the girls' bedroom. I'm also wondering why they didn't drive by our house before they asked to see the inside so that they could get a feel for the neighborhood that apparently does not exist around our house.

I mean, they have 4 four year olds so they've gotta understand that cleaning our house was no small feat. And, the one hour notice they gave us was a little much. But, it's a buyer's market so I guess that means you can be bossy and all.

Whatever.

Finally, we go to court for Baby Girl on Thursday for the Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) hearing. So help me sweet mercy if her case is not heard on Thursday I might just have to be locked up for a indefinite amount of time. Which would probably not aid in us selling our house since our children would be left home alone all day and thus making our house look like a tornado hit it. I do have another reason for wanting the case to be heard on Thursday (you know, other than the fact that I want my youngest daughter to be legally ~~MINE~~ OURS). The roast beef sandwich that I am sure to enjoy afterwards, (at the little deli on Main St, just around the corner from the courthouse) which is God's good and perfect gift to me personally, will surely taste sweeter when served with a side of "Finally sweet Lord, TPR has begun!"

Or at least that's what I think. Hope y'all have a great day.