This weekend Taylor graduated high school. As I was listening to all the kids in her group tell their dreams and plans, something really hit me. Parenting teenagers has some really great perks. I remember as a new mom, many older parents would "ooh" and "aah" over my adorable babies and then they would warn "just wait until they are teenagers". I always hated that and have not found it to be true. I love having a houseful of 
teenagers. They can do things for themselves. I don't smell like spit up all the time. They sleep late! But the best part (this is what I realized) is you get to watch them figure out who they are. Little pieces fall into place all along their childhood but the big discoveries happen now. They stumble upon their passions and you get to see that excitement and share some of it.
teenagers. They can do things for themselves. I don't smell like spit up all the time. They sleep late! But the best part (this is what I realized) is you get to watch them figure out who they are. Little pieces fall into place all along their childhood but the big discoveries happen now. They stumble upon their passions and you get to see that excitement and share some of it.Some of Taylor's gifts were evident the day we had this baby picture made. I remember it so well. She was charming everyone in Kmart that day. Normally we only bought the photos included in the package deal but I had to have this one because she had the employees wrapped up in her magic that day. That smile and laughter. And those amazing blue eyes. All three still work magically today. She lights up a room when she comes in and people are drawn to her joy. She will be walking around the house and break out in spontaneous dancing and singing. And then she has everybody laughing. Magic!
As a preschooler, she started t-ball, which she hated because it was a baby game. She wanted to play hard core. In middle school, she was asked to fill in on a fast pitch softball team one game and I knew she was hooked. The joy on her face that day as she slid safely into second place was evident. Watching her play in high school has been so much fun. She pulls people into the fun because her excitement is contagious.
Other things she loves are photographs, Spanish, music, pasta. But really her passion is her faith and people. She is a natural teacher and is great with kids. She is a good friend.
I am excited to see what God is going to do with her life. When she was a toddler, someone said that maybe she would be a missionary in a difficult country because of her strength and stamina. I don't know about that but I am watching and expecting the next chapter to be captivating - Taylor style!
