Down Mulberry Lane

Kathleen...our dear Kate~

Today is Kate's 19th birthday.  It is a quiet day.  Quite warm, expected to get to near 90 degrees.  I think probably the hottest birthday for her yet.  The girls are enjoying a lazy day. 

It is a hard thing to do something special for this one.  She is happy with whatever.  She doesn't put up much fuss, but likes being fussed over.  I asked her what she wanted to eat for breakfast... whatever is easiest for you, Mom.  This is a common reply.  We do have a family dinner planned next week (I think... it is running into other plans so hopefully won't have to be changed) that will celebrate her and her sister, Megan's birthday as well.  (they are  two weeks apart and it is hard to get family out twice in two weeks and HARD for me to get two big meals together in TWO weeks!  LOL. 

As for birthday breakfast, I asked if she'd like to go out for breakfast (cuz that would be easiest for me! LOL)... and she actually decided that No, she wanted to eat at home.  I think it had something to do with her hair-do!  We had pancakes, fried potatoes and fried eggs. 

She had a friendly celebration of her birthday a couple days before.  Her friends John, Joe, and Allison had come up to visit on Sabbath just to see her for her birthday.  John and Joe are sons from one of our previous pastors.  Allison has been a childhood friend, they grew up together and she recently moved away for college.  It was especially sweet of them, because she was terribly bummed about her coming year.  She is enjoying college, but at church the friendship situation is null.  Two girls went to Academy and will only be back for home leaves.  All the kids her age have moved on and gone to college and basically moved away.  My next two children have no one in their age level as well.  So they are all a lonely bunch of girls.  This was to be their first week home after everyone had "left".  They were just not looking forward to church being so empty.  We started SS and did song service for the little ones... of which no one had come by then.  (It was just my three girls).  We started our nature lesson and 5 kids showed up.  They visit periodically and we hadn't seen them for a long time... a few months anyways... so that was a nice surprise.  Then one by one her friends Joe, Allison and John came down and wish her a happy birthday.  She was shocked and overjoyed.  She also found out that Leah, an old school friend had moved back and would be home at church more regularly.  We had a nice potluck picnic after church and ended the Sabbath with a campfire at our home with friends.  She said that was  better than any present... getting to see her friends, especially when she was feeling so down.  She knew God knew how she was feeling and gave her this special gift! 

As for Kate~ we can't leave her birthday without saying what a beautiful person she has grown to be.  While she has had these lonely moments in her life, she is able to put herself into the moment and work as needed, instead of letting these low spots run her life.  She keeps going and waits patiently for days that she can enjoy her friendships once again.  This weekend was no exception.  She awoke and arose getting ready for church and I heard no grumbling.  She was ready to get to church to start her part of the class (she is helping with the nature time and song service).  It was later in the afternoon that she confided to me that she was so happy because of how down she was feeling.  She is quite considerate of those around her and often will not let them know when she is down and will just keep on going.  Kate is a kind girl who is generous with her time.  She is a hard worker.  She is also a gentle encourager, often the quiet girl, but her smile will bring others out of their shells.  Most of all I am proud to see her witness and how natural that is becoming for her.  Going to a community college has brought her to a place that isn't the most comfortable place to be, but she is making the best of it and decided that she wasn't going to shrink to peer pressure, but rather to just be her and not be afraid to share her faith.  And so far, this hasn't lost her any points, but is gaining her more attentions than she is quite used to.  Over the past summer she began to feel comfortable being her and found that others like her for her.  It is a good thing to see confidence in the quiet girl she has been that she can step out and not be afraid of what others think and to see her stand up for right as well.  I guess I can say she is all "grown up". 

She said to me last night that she cannot imagine leaving home.  She just loves it here.  I said when the time is right, she will be ready, happy and excited to leave.  She just can't fathom it at the moment.  But life is not ready for her to do that just yet.  She is STILL a big part of our family and she BELONGS here.  One day that will change, but until then, I got such warmth knowing that she is so content and happy being home. 

Love you Kate~

Warmly, Mom (~Melissa)

Untitled Comment

1:35 PM, September 1, 2008 .. Posted by gabbie427

What a loving tribute to your daughter!!! She sounds like a wonderful teenager!!! Happy Birthday Kate.

God's Blessings,
Amy Jo

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

8:14 PM, September 1, 2008 .. Posted by SuperHorseSteader

What a beautiful post for Kate! I hope she had an amazing birthday! She is a really sweet person!
Miss Amanda
http://superangelsblog.com

Beautiful Young Lady

8:57 PM, September 2, 2008 .. Posted by safords

You have every right to be proud of Kate! She's a beautiful gal. God has blessed you so much!

just responding to your comment on my blog

9:03 PM, September 2, 2008 .. Posted by safords

LOL! Of course we all have rebellious homeschool moments :-) We don't just homeschool to protect our kids from outside influences... we also homeschool because we want to be sure that the inside character issues are being addressed, right?

I hope that all our girls learn lasting lessons from these experiences.

You are a great mom. Just take a look at Kate... she turned out great.

And uh, I got your email.I haven't answer yet 'cause I haven't a single wise word to offer you. ONLY that I am praying for resolution. The Lord knows. He'll answer. Think back to the day, or night rather, when you prayed all night about whether or not to homeschool. Blessings,
Angela
Angela

Untitled Comment

4:49 PM, September 3, 2008 .. Posted by a1health

What a blessing! Happy Belated birthday to your daughter.
Take care!
~Farrah

Untitled Comment

6:12 PM, September 3, 2008 .. Posted by Isabella

You are blessed to have such a wonderful daughter. God Bless. I