Happy Birthday Delaney!!

I am off at the Southern Christian Writers Conference, speaking and organizing and pretty much doing anythings ele that needs to be done. It's a wonderfully refreshing weekend full of inspiration and friends and writing (one of my very favorite things!). But, because I'm away, I'm posting this ahead of time...so I can make sure that I get my heartfelt birthday wishes out for our wonderful daughter, Delaney.

Delaney turns THIRTEEN today...yes, thirteen! She's a teenager now, and it's almost impossible to believe! Where, truly, has the time gone?

Delaney is a wonderful daughter. Full of life and spirit and laughter (and sarcasm and "It's not my fault"s and teenage eye-rolling too), but also generosity and kind-heartedness (so it pretty much makes up for the other stuff!).

She's also extremely athletic and loves sports of all kind (those of you who are regular visitors here know how great she is at softball and volleyball); she also loves music and performing (she has a beautiful voice); and she is incredibly intelligent (she's never gotten below an A on her report card, and we're heading into the 8th grade).

To say I'm proud is an understatement!

I'm most proud, though, of the quiet moments when I can see beyond the accomplishments and the appearance and the strong personality...and see the person she is underneath. A girl of faith and compassion and convictions. A girl I know will evolve into a wonderful teenager and a wonderful woman some day.

But for now, she is still thirteen. And new thirteen-year-olds (or at least the ones in my house!) love going to Olive Garden and getting a cell phone for their birthday...



I love you, Delaney!

(And I'll see all of you again after the writers conference and the weekend is over!)