Belated Birthday Post

I didn't forget, but I just got around to posting about my oldest baby turning 7 on the 17th! Oh my.. when did seven years go by, someone please tell me? How on earth have I been here for EVERYTHING and yet I feel like it all still passed me by?

This picture definitely doesn't do my beautiful girl justice, but it's the only one I have on the computer right now. This is her with her 89 year old great grandpa (clayton's grandfather) and of course that's Samuel with them.

Looking at her now just fills me up! Thinking back to when I found out she was coming, and remember the horrible things people said to me in response, just shows God's grace and love and greatness that she is the best kid I know. Who would have ever thought that two teenagers could have, and raise, such a great little girl? I often look at her when she sleeps and get a tear or two in my eyes thinking about how so many said I should abort her or put her up for adoption; like she wasn't a real person. I look at our family, the family that God put together through Madison's conception, and praise him that he has brought us where we are.

All statistics show that we should have failed. Clayton and I should be divorced, or miserably married, and Madison should be living with a grandparent and barely making it through school. Instead, she has been blessed with a mother and father that not only truly love each other, but are HAPPY together. She has been blessed with a soft heart and abundant love. She has been blessed with super smarts... the TOP reader in her class, and above average in all school subjects. She is a beautiful dancer, an up and coming artist, fantastic big sister, wonderful friend, lover of animals and nature, and a future environmentalist. I look at her and I can just see the things God is setting her up for already. The desires he's already putting into her heart to save animals, to care for people, and to worship him.... I just cannot thank God enough for all he has done for us and for my Madison. She is starting to talk about Jesus in a way much different than she ever has before. I can see her relationship with Him starting to develop.

In her short seven years she has done more for me than I could ever - ever- do for her. She made me a good wife, she made me a good mother, and she's made me a better person. I am forever thankful for that positive pregnancy test I took on October 19, 2000. From that moment until now, she has been my little miracle and my huge blessing. I love you Madison Leigh!