The Ballard Bunch

The day I knew was coming, but wasn't sure how I'd receive it.

My heart, my baby, my first born,

my sassiest and most stubborn of children

enters the world without me always by her side.

And, I won't lie - I'm a little scared.

Not questioning if she's ready or not (she's ready),

not excessively sad that she's growing up

(she's 5 going on 15, I'm used to it),

not even totally sad that I won't

have her with me 24/7 (the break will be good for both of us).

What scares me the most

is that this is the begining of the world creeping in.

The world of you're not good enough.

It wasn't that long ago that I was there

(and in some part, still am)

and I'm kind of sad for her.

I don't want her to lose her innocent and non-affected confidence.

I love that she knows she's cute and struts her stuff.

I love that she relishes in being smart and wants to learn new things all the time.

I love that, even though she might fight

with her brother and sister, she really is a kind and empathetic child.

I love her stubbornness and her razor sharp memory

(I can never go back on a bribe or promise with that kid - she never forgets).

I don't want her to be told that she's not smart enough,

funny enough, tough enough, pretty enough,

skinny enough, popular enough,

spiritual enough, outgoing enough,

perfect enough.

She's exceeded all of my expectations

of what motherhood would be,

of how much I could really love another person unconditionally.

She's taught me so much about being self-assure and letting go.

It sounds crazy, but at the age of 5,

she has a better grasp on who she is than most people my age.

And now, she steps into the unknown

with her stylin' new outfit and shiny new shoes.

Age: 5

Height: 43 inches

Weight: 50 lbs

Hair color: Light Brown/Blonde

Animal: Baby Elephant

Food: Turkey Sandwich

Game: Wii (she is a killer bowler)

Toy: Barbies

Thing to Do: Playing w/ B

Book: Pinkalicious

Color: "Pink, like my mom"

Movie: Princess and the Frog

TV Show: iCarly

Song: California Gurls (Katy Perry) and Hey, Soul Sister (Train)

Primary Song: Follow the Prohpet

My best friend is: B

Other friends I like to play with: McKenna, Holly, All My Cousins

Things I like to do with my friends: Play house, play babies, do art projects

When I grow up I want to be: A rock star and a firefighter

Pets: Emmit

If I had a new pet it would be a: “Baby Kitten and I would name her Ellie like the cute girl on 'Up' ”

What people like about me: "That I‘m cute"

Things I can do really well: "I’m really good at coloring inside the lines. I can do a cartwheel and a front flip on the tramp. I try really hard to be nice and to share. I‘m good at babysitting babies like Greydie. I‘m really good at singing and dancing and make up my own songs all the time."

Good Luck, Tot.

We sure do love you 'round these parts.