Looking Behind and Looking Ahead

This picture was taken four years ago, when these beautiful girls were about to turn 7 years old!

Tomorrow, they'll be 11!

Where has the time gone?

I was just thinking that on August 19th, last year, I was in the hospital for most of the day, wondering if something horrible was happening with the pregnancy. As a result, I missed out on their 10th birthday party with family here. (Side note: obviously, the pregnancy turned out just fine and resulted in child #4)

This year, we celebrated by going to Adventureland yesterday...one of the last days of their season, so incredibly busy. But, we had a blast anyway! Haley will ride anything! Moriah and Brooke did the G-Force about twenty times!

So, with the discovery of the picture above, I'm wondering what 4 years from now will look like. Predictably, we'll be in an election year again. Who will be running against the incumbent O'Bama? (Ok, I'm showing my pessimistic tendencies here - and for you liberals, you thought I was showing HOPE)

Seriously, what will life look like four years from now? They'll be turning 15, will have had a year of driving with a parent under their belts, plenty of babysitting jobs (paying ones that involve someone other than Case), maybe even a job job at Fareway, and will be entering 10th grade. And boys? Gulp.

I like looking through the photo albums, which we've been doing recently, and seeing how fast change occurs. But, it's also a great idea to look ahead. I'm trying to help them uncover those hidden abilities and talents that God's given them in an effort to create a wonderful future. It's pretty exciting to see what kind of women these two will be. Yet, it's such a responsibility! Overwhelming at times. I don't want to get in the way of their growth and maturation.

An old German proverb states: "Begin to weave and God will give the thread."

Another great quote by Stephen Covey: "The best way to predict your future is to create it."

This parenting gig is tough, but it's got to be, bar-none, the most rewarding, challenging, and fun job in the world.

Happy Birthday to Haley and Moriah! Wow, eleven years!