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Graduation and Gratitude

by on ‎06-02-2014 10:56 AM

Confession: every time I'm on air and speaking about possible graduation gifts, I'm also doing something else you can't hear or see: I'm thinking about my own daughter's graduation! Not the big cap-and-gown, can't-believe-college-is-next graduation (thank goodness that's four years away!). No, my Gabby is taking the leap from 8th grade to high school.


 She's my only child, and so I do my best to savor every milestone. And I can't believe this one is already here. I'm sure you can relate...it feels like yesterday I was groggily changing 3am diapers!


 (Don't tell her I said that :-) )


 One of the ways that Gabby's school marks the end of this big year is with their big 8th Grade Formal dance. Gabby's first boy-girl dance...eeek! It reminded me of my first dance, after which I found out my mom had been parked in the lot outside the school the whole night "just in case I needed an early ride home" (I still let on that I believe that one, by the way!). And now that I'm a mom I understand the emotions that arise out of this big event. But rather than let these passing milestones get me down, I've found only great joy in them. Yes, I'll never get these moments back. But to me that's the amazing part.


 Each of these celebrations is a gift. Just Like every day I'm blessed to live. And so as our own QVC makeup artist Lia styled Gabby's hair, I said aloud to God:


 "Thank you."


As Gabby and her friends giggled and helped each other straighten out their dresses, I said aloud:


 "Thank you."


 As I snapped photos of my princess, the most beautiful creature I ever have and will ever see, I said aloud:


 "Thank you."


And as Gabby stepped out of the car for her last function as an 8th grader, I said aloud:


 "Thank you."


I'm working every day to live more in the moment and be grateful for every blessing. That night left my cup overflowing. Here are a few photos of this milestone. Thank you for sharing in it with me...I'll let you know how I'm holding up as the mom of a high schooler!!!






Track our progress as mom/daughter and best friends here on Facebook:


Oh, and if you want to check out the Beachwaver Lia used to make Gabby's crazy-cool hairstyle click here!


Thanks for reading! 


-Jennifer