Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound. It’s hard for me to believe this day has arrived. My sweet Grace Elizabeth turns 18 years old today. I am simply an emotional wreck of a mama trying to catch my heart up to what is about to happen next.

I thought it would be easier this time. I did this once before with Julia, and had hoped with the second child, it was going to be a little less emotional. But it’s not, because now I know how it’s going to feel to say goodbye. Ugh! In a few weeks, this girl of mine will graduate, and then she will move away to college.

She is my little apple, and I am trying to prepare my heart for what is to come.

Let me tell you a little somethin somethin about my Grace.

First, she is amazing, just like her name.

She has been our family “entertainer” from the beginning. She makes us laugh.

She has been a loyal sister to her siblings.

She has never let us have a dull moment. (Yes, she is licking the window for her sister, Isabel to see.)She definitely has her mood swings, but in the midst, she still manages to stay cute.She loves her daddy.She has the best freckles, after time in the sun. She appears to be an angel, but her sisters have tried to convince us she has a sneaky side. Humm….. Steve and I still think she is an angel. She’s never let us have a dull moment. I think I said this already, but it’s worth repeating.She loves to travel. She comes alive!She is brave. I would never hold a snake, but Grace would.  EeekShe is a leader. And she inspires me. She doesn’t take herself too seriously, but she is serious about her faith, her family her friends and her creativity. Grace has no choice but to create. If she isn’t being creative, she’s falling apart.  (Soon, I will write a post on raising a creative type, just need more time to process this, because I am still trying to process her turning 18).

This is our girl whom we raised. We love us some Grace. She is quite AMAZING (photo credit Keely Scott). Amazing. Amazing!

Happy Birthday baby girl. I love you! Go blossom!