March 20, 2016

Promises to my Strong Willed Child

You're a dreamer.
You're a fighter.
You're a princess.
You're a pirate.
You're unpredictable.
You're talented and so unbelievable quick to learn.

Some call you a pistol.  Some call you a handful.  I call you mine.
(My Brynlee, so you with a little dirt on your cheek.)


There are days I want to hide and scream and cry.  You confuse me.  I cry and wonder what I did wrong?  After 3 other children who are reasonably calm and easy to handle.  I have you.

You learned to run at 10 months.  10 months!  And before that you perfected climbing stairs and grills on our veranda that went all the way {straight} up to the next floor!  Yes, darling, if I have any silver hair it's from you.  Always so busy.  Someone had to have an eye on you at all times.  They still do.  The neighbors learned your name quickly because I was ALWAYS yelling, "Where's Brynlee?!?!?!"  As a toddler you could watch someone do something once and know how to do it yourself.  Daddy didn't believe you turned the water hose on in the yard.  But I know it was you.  I found you on the roof of the house once.....no twice!  {still makes me shudder}

At 5 years of age we do your school lessons and you are so quick to read the words but your mind is always ahead of the lessons.  You can read  "the.. truck... is... blue."  But WILL you read "the truck is blue????"  Not if you want the truck to be green.  How many times have you refused to write your name and decided to sound out another better name?    Or tell me that you did write your name....in Chinese.

I've seen your heart.  I've seen the compassion you have towards those you love.  I've seen how you stand up for what you believe in.  Yes, at 5 you are very opinionated!

Last month you decided to start a propaganda to raise awareness that ladybugs are not bugs.  You told us many times, {and I quote} "Ladybugs are not bugs they are animals with feelings!" Woe to the one who squished a bug in your presence.

You never wanted to be the baby.  You always seemed to try to grow up too quickly.

I used to wonder why God gave you to me?  How can you fit into a house full of people when it takes everything I have to manage just you?

How can I raise this little kid with pigtails...a big mouth, a big heart and such a free spirit?  To be....just to be?

I'm thankful for the day the Lord showed me that I truly needed you.   I Desperately needed you.  You keep me on my toes and tick me off and make me cry and make me learn more about myself.

You are so much fun.

So my promise to you, my strong willed child is this.......

#1 I won't try to change you.  That's God's job.  I can mold you and rub off your rough edges.  But, seriously if the Lord gave you this much spunk it's for a reason!  And who am I to douse your fire?  I realized that God made you this way because He has an extremely important plan for your life.  I have no clue what it is but I can promise you this... it won't be dull and boring.

#2 I will try to smile at your sharp wit instead of yelling at you to listen to me.  So I'm looking for the humor in my days with you.  I expect respect to be shown to your elders but I value your opinions and ideas.  Since I decided to do this, spending time with you is a hoot!  Seriously you crack me up.  Some might think I let you get away with more than your siblings.  I probably do.  But I'm also harder on you in other areas because I know what you can take.

#3 I will not compare you to your siblings.   Your siblings immediately {mostly} listen and obey.  While I deeply appreciate their willingness to please me and do right.    You question.  You want to know why.  You most often do the opposite just to see what happens.  We've butted heads on this during your toddler years and I refuse to spend the rest of your time in my nest challenging each other.  We made a promise to each other a few months ago to never lie to each other.  You understand many things like someone way beyond your years.  Each time you question me I remind you of our promise.  You can trust me.  I got your back.

#4 I will never stop cheering for you.  When other mother's look at you as if you have something catchy and their darling little angels are gonna learn a bad habit, I smile sweetly {as if I have a great secret} and say, "God has big plans for my Brynlee".  How can they argue with that?   If anyone ever tells you that you can't do something remember ...I said you can.  Because I know you better then they do.



Darling, never give up on your dreams and what you so deeply feel is right.  You are born to be a leader.  An inventor.  Someone's hero and inspiration.  I know you love deeply and have a tender heart under that sober expression.

I'm so proud to be your mama.