It's Been a Long Time ...

Since Hanson Ellis has performed in any way.
She took a Musical Theater/Tap class this week.
They performed Mary Poppins today for their families.

It's been a long time since I've seen her smile like this.
It was a joy for us all.

Psalm 135:3

Psalms 135:3 

Praise the Lord; for the Lord is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.

Capturing my 12 yr old in her room after lunch.  

There is not a whole lot sweeter than hearing praises being sung to God, and having the singer be your child.

Once again linking up with My 3 Boybarians for Sweet Shot Tuesday.

In a Blink of an Eye

Hanson Ellis is at the age where sometimes I see her still so young ...

... and then other times I catch her out of the corner of my eye and I get a glimpse of the future.

   It seems like in a blink of an eye she's gone from two to twelve.  I know it won't seem any different from twelve to twenty-two.  

"Take (her) heart Lord, take and seal it.  Seal it for Thy courts above."

A Sixth Grader

Even at the end of the year, I find it hard to believe that I have a 6th grader.

My Hanson Ellis is in her final days of 6th grade.  While following in her Momma's petite size:), she has already far exceeded me in every other way.  Hanson Ellis is a little thing, but has the heart of a giant, and the bravery of David ... strong in the Lord.

Richard reminded me last night how she'll be leaving our house before we know it.

Yes, she will, but I'm going to do my best to make every moment last until then.

The weather is so nice right now ... warm not hot, breezy and sunny.

I love the final days of school.

Peaceful.  Quiet.  Long.

My girls enjoy them too.  School in the morning. Slow lunches and lots of free time in the afternoon to run amuck outside and dream of the summer days to come.

I saw Hanson Ellis on the front porch, in MY new hat (she's in day two of wearing it ... I'm thinking I'll be making another purchase), and so I grabbed my camera.

Love my girls.

Love this kid!

Twelve

"She's a good girl, loves her Momma, loves Jesus, and America, too."
first line from Tom Petty's "Free Falling"

Whenever I hear the first line of that song, I immediately think of Hanson Ellis.
Happy birthday to my first born.  

What can I say?  I look at you and I literally think to myself, "weren't you just 4?!"  

You are the gentlest person I know.  

Gentleness is evident in your walk, in your handwriting and in your drawings. 

You are beautiful inside and out.  

You have a true heart for God and I love to hear you talk of His word. 

I am amazed at how independent you have become.  

It seems that the past 12 years have flown by, yet it seems like an eternity ago when I used to carry you to the grocery store late at night in your footed jammies
and watch you dance on the kitchen table to 'N Sync (nobody panic!!  they were cool back then and she was only 2:).)  

You impress me with your ability and desire to learn Chinese.  

You warm my heart with you smile.  

You make tears well up in my eyes when you sing and play your guitar for me.  

I love to see you care for your little sisters.  How blessed they are to have you!! 

I wonder what plans God has for you?  

I look forward to your life unfolding,
 yet I admit I am clinging on to each day left that I have with you under my wing.  

I remember when you turned 9 and I looked at your Daddy and said,
"Well, we've had her for as long as we will have her."
What a milestone that was!  

And now you are 12.  

TWELVE

How can this be?  

Oh, Hanson Ellis, you cannot imagine how much your Daddy and I love you.  

Our little left handed Georgia Peach who has been with us through it all.  

North Carolina, Georgia, Washington, California, North Carolina (again), Kansas and Georgia again.  

Peacetime and War.  

The birth of four little sisters.  

What a life you've lived thus far ... and it's only just begun.  

I hope your day is as amazing as you are.  

"Remember Who You Are," and from where your strength and hope comes.  

Never forget your favorite verse, John 17:17, and continue to dream.

Happy Birthday, Hanson Ellis.  

You're the greatest 12 year old I know!

Okay, I might have broken a blog record for number of photos on one post, but I just grabbed some out of a box and thought that they were perfect for today ... even the blurry ones.  Enjoy!

Look who's 3!

(above photo by Sherri Winstead Photography)

One of my FAVES!!!!!  Seattle ... ahhhhhh:)

gotta have a homeschool photo:)!!

HE and Patterson then (above) and now (below)

above two photos ... HE and Parker

below is one of Parker and me from this morning

I love you,
Momma