D: Daughters

D is for daughters. When asked how many kids we have, Matt and I sometimes reply with a borrowed joke, "Five. And they are all boys except four." I have two older sisters as well, but grew up in the middle of four brothers and Matt has three brothers, no sisters. I don't think either of us really imagined when we started our family that in no time at all we would have a houseful of girls. And I also don't think that either of us could have guessed how much we would love our houseful of girls. The responsibility of raising these girls is overwhelming at times. Especially now as they get older and new challenges come their way. I certainly don't feel adequate. But I am so grateful for the trust that Heavenly Father has placed in me to be a mother to four of his choice daughters. They truly are a blessing in our lives.

In my daughter's eyes I am a hero
I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I want to be
In my daughter's eyes

~~~~~~~~~~

Nicole is our tomboy. Born with 2 inches of thick, white hair and a very intense energy she was quickly dubbed "The White Tornado" by her Grandpa Bryan. She loves all things outdoors but her passion is and always has been horses, horses and more horses. She is in Young Women's now and last week we went to the General Young Women's Broadcast for the first time. It was wonderful! She was less than enthused about going, especially when she learned that she needed to wear a skirt. But she came around by the end of the broadcast. And when I informed her that it's a tradition to go for cheesecake afterwards, she really got on board! It was a testament to her personality that on the way to cheesecake, in our dresses, she talked me into stopping at the farm store "just to look at saddles for a minute".

~~~~~~~~~~

Corinne is our sweet and sensitive girl. And she is ALL girl. She loves pink and ribbons and clothes and talking! Matt says she is a "little Nancy". I'll take that compliment, thank you! She has a great sense of humor and a real talent for story telling. At school recently her teacher had all of the kids write a story. They turned in their rough drafts and then had to revise, revise, revise. Except Corinne. Her rough draft was accepted as her final draft. She has a very creative mind and knows just how to get it down on paper!

~~~~~~~~~~

Paige is our little adventurer. She lives for summer vacation and spends every second of it outside wandering the pasture, climbing trees, collecting bugs and getting a great tan! She's a very analytical mind--our little engineer. She thinks things through carefully and only when she's certain that she has something figured out will she proceed. She's our most independent, but also the first to miss me if I'm not home. She was blessed with her Grandma Pat's beautiful eyes, but everything else about her is uniquely Paige!

~~~~~~~~~~

Claire is our happy little "life of the party". There is nothing undeserving of her enthusiasm. And her energy is nearly limitless. I say nearly because she does have to sleep sometimes. But when she is awake, she has one speed! She also seems convinced that she is just as capable of doing anything that her older siblings--and even her parents--can do. Life is just so exciting to her and the smallest things make her happy. Last week I was cooking dinner and she said, "What you making, Mom?" I said, "Rice." And her reply: "OH YAY!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!"
These beautiful girls, who are growing up to be such beautiful young women, are EVERYTHING to me. And I am thankful everyday that they are ours!