• Home
  • About
  • Wild Olive Tees
  • No Hands But Ours
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • RSS

Ni Hao Y'all

when east meets south

  • Ni Hao Y'all
  • Faith
    • my faith
  • adoption
    • special needs adoption
      • clubfoot
      • Down syndrome
      • dwarfism
    • shared list
    • advocating
  • family
    • Magnolia
    • Clementine
    • Tallula
    • Poppy
    • Esther
    • Vivienne
    • Shepherd
    • Jude
    • Isabelle
    • Sophie
    • Dalton
    • Asher
    • Zach
    • Victoria
  • Life
    • memory lane
    • what works for us
    • things I love
    • Q and A
    • marriage
    • cooking
    • celebrations
    • blogging
      • love others
      • kudos
  • photography
    • photography 101
    • Sunday Snapshot

missing my girl

On Saturday I drove up to Atlanta to spend the day with my girl. Well, my biggest girl. She had invited me up to see a musical that was playing at her school on Saturday night and I decided to go up early so we could have lunch and shop a bit before the show. We had the best time together, I just love spending time with my girl. We went to one of her favorite Mexican restaurants for lunch. Upon checking this place out ($10 for a burrito?), I shared with her MY experience with Mexican food in college: frozen bean burritos from 7-11! Must be nice to be her! Clearly, the girl is getting too much cashola for spending.

IMG_7062

Then we did some window shopping in the hip district in downtown Atlanta. Talk about the fast way to make one feel O.L.D. We found a funky, feminine dress for Victoria at a vintage shop, she was so cute in it I just couldn’t resist buying it for her. Then we walked around the campus for an hour or so before the show, talking and giggling about… well, everything. The show was hilarious, I loved it. But even more, I loved the company.

It is bittersweet each time we are together, I am reminded how much I miss her. Gosh, I am just nutty about her! She is such an incredible young woman, in so many ways. I have watched her grow into a responsible, loving, funny, bright, self-confident, compassionate, and beautiful person. And as much as I’d love to think I had something to do with it, she is so unlike me, so much her ‘person’, I know she has found her own path, in her own way.

IMG_7064

Now that she is gone from our ‘nest’ I find myself cherishing the memories of her childhood all the more. And wondering how in the world she grew up so quickly!? What I wouldn’t give to have her back for just one more year. But I have no regrets. We spent so much time together… laughing, joking, talking, just being. We did several mother/daughter Bible studies which was a fantastic opportunity for me to discuss with her those ‘things’ that we as parents don’t like to discuss 😉 And I like to think she learned a thing or two about herself and what God wants for her, for her life.

What an honor it is to be her mother. I love you, my beautiful girl!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • More
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
«
»

04.22.08 · Victoria 31

Comments

  1. sara says

    April 22, 2008 at 3:01 AM

    She is a beautiful girl – isn’t it funny how you can have an empty nest even though yours is far from empty? 🙂

    Reply
  2. ADELE says

    April 22, 2008 at 3:11 AM

    You have a beautiful daughter and I love what you wrote about her. I am sure it is hard not having her at home. Glad you had some one on one time with her. By the way, I LOVE your blog.

    Reply
  3. Kimi says

    April 22, 2008 at 3:21 AM

    She sounds a lot like my daughter and our relationship. What blessings our children are…at all ages.

    I love your blog, you have such a sweet spirit.

    Kim

    Reply
  4. AnnaB says

    April 22, 2008 at 3:22 AM

    This was absolutely wonderful! Tori is such a beautiful girl…I am so impressed with her! You go girl!

    Reply
  5. The Ferrill's says

    April 22, 2008 at 3:30 AM

    Sweetness! Reading this post makes me miss my big girl, too, and she still lives at home! She’s growing up too fast though. How wonderful that you and Victoria could spend a fun day together, Stefanie! Treasured moments….

    Reply
  6. Janelle says

    April 22, 2008 at 10:31 AM

    what a lovely girl – you should be a proud mama!

    I enjoy hearing about the ‘big kids’ and how they’ve grown into their own people.

    Sounds like great fun – I’m SO glad you had that time together.

    Reply
  7. Walker says

    April 22, 2008 at 10:53 AM

    Sweet!!

    Reply
  8. Rebecca says

    April 22, 2008 at 12:12 PM

    It’s bittersweet for me to think of writing a post like this someday… although I keep reminding myself that EVERY stage with our children is a blessing.

    I know you must miss her!!

    Love, Rebecca

    Reply
  9. babystepstoChina says

    April 22, 2008 at 12:13 PM

    Stefanie,
    Thank you for that beautiful reminder. My biggest girl is only five and already I can’t understand where the years have gone. This was the reminder I needed today to spend some time with my girls, one on one, not “time” cleaning beside them while they play. Thanks!
    Robyn

    Reply
  10. Chris & Deb says

    April 22, 2008 at 1:44 PM

    What a sweet post Stefanie! What a great relationship you both have built!

    Reply
  11. Mom to my China Posse says

    April 22, 2008 at 1:53 PM

    As a Mom to 6 kids ages 2 to 18, I find myself missing my oldest daughter who will be off to college in the fall as well. Doesn’t it seem like yesterday when we sent them off to kindergarten? Glad Tori is having a fun time at college. I hope Kaitlyn finds her way at college as well.

    Kathy

    Reply
  12. Kim says

    April 22, 2008 at 2:00 PM

    Ok, your pulling at my heartstrings right now. My oldest son is finishing up his 2nd year of college this week and is coming HOME!! Isn’t incredible how fast time goes? It seems like just yesterday he was getting on the school bus for the first time.

    What a blessing God has given you with such a special relationship with your daugther. She looks and sounds just beautiful.

    Reply
  13. Lynn says

    April 22, 2008 at 2:07 PM

    She is a beautiful girl Steph. My oldest is 10 and I just look at him and wonder where the time went, he is my height now!

    Reply
  14. Jenn says

    April 22, 2008 at 2:36 PM

    I so know how you feel. My oldest is now 21 (GASP–how did THAT happen!?) and what you wrote in your post could have been written by me about my darling girl!

    Your Tori sounds like such a blessing. Glad to hear you had such a great time with her! Adding to those sweet memories!

    Blessings,
    Jenn

    Reply
  15. Tish says

    April 22, 2008 at 2:50 PM

    She really is beautiful…just like her mama!

    Reply
  16. that girl says

    April 22, 2008 at 5:00 PM

    and just think — she WANTS her mom to come visit and spend time with her! that’s the best part of all. I’m so glad you had a nice visit with her. She’s a beauty.

    Reply
  17. Patricia/NYC says

    April 22, 2008 at 5:13 PM

    How blessed you are to have such a special relationship with Tori! She is a beautiful girl, inside & out. And, although you don’t think you had much to do with who she is right now, you gave her the guidance & the wings to find out for herself & that is the most perfect gift a momma could give!

    So glad you had a great time with your girl! 🙂

    Reply
  18. Barbie says

    April 22, 2008 at 5:23 PM

    Tori is beautiful through and through. She just shines!! You are one blessed momma. 🙂 I love mother and daughter days.

    Reply
  19. Michelle says

    April 22, 2008 at 5:43 PM

    What a special post, Stefanie. Sounds like a great day with your beautiful daughter. Glad to hear you could have some special mother/daugther alone time with your Victoria.

    Reply
  20. Andrea says

    April 22, 2008 at 8:06 PM

    Glad you had a great day!

    A

    Reply
  21. kris says

    April 23, 2008 at 12:32 AM

    I can’t imagine that feeling of watching your daughter bloom into her own person, a grown woman. So glad you 2 were able to spend some great quality time together, she is beautiful,inside and out, just like her mom :O)

    Reply
  22. Jana says

    April 23, 2008 at 1:22 AM

    So sweet!! Glad you got to enjoy some mother/daughter time together. She’s beautiful! I’m already lamenting the fact that I only have a few more years with Sawyer before he heads out on his own. Childhood goes by WAY TOO FAST!!

    Reply
  23. Anita says

    April 23, 2008 at 2:25 AM

    Awww….LOVE this post, Stefanie and am sooo glad you had such a wonderful time with YOUR girl!! Can’t believe it’s possible but my oldest, Jon-21 yrs, is graduating from college in a week and then getting married at the end of May. WHERE did that time go to? Believe it or not, I think the college years go even faster…and am so thankful the Lord continues to bless our family with little ones from China!

    Reply
  24. Wendy says

    April 23, 2008 at 2:29 AM

    What a beautiful post. I’m so glad you had such a lovely time together.

    Reply
  25. Mei Mei Journal says

    April 23, 2008 at 11:36 AM

    Lindsay has three more years at home and I will have to make sre not to take them for granted. I will miss her tons when she leaves for college!
    You must be so proud of Tori. 🙂

    Reply
  26. Tami says

    April 23, 2008 at 5:37 PM

    Sounds like you and your daughter have such a close relationship. It must be such a blessing to watch your child grow and develop into a young adult that you are obviously so proud of.

    Reply
  27. Ronda says

    April 24, 2008 at 6:22 AM

    Beautiful Post-I can so relate. Your daughter is beautiful-as is the rest of your family. I am glad I found your blog…your journey to Sophie was actually the first “My Adoption Website” story that I followed while we were paperchasing for our Ella. I have loved reading the updates on all your children and now I look forward to watching them grow up.
    Keep up the good work
    Ronda
    P.S.-Laughed out loud about the Box Tops-we actually have relatives across the country save and send them to us-our school is nuts about Box Tops =)

    Reply
  28. Snowflowers Mum says

    April 25, 2008 at 1:23 AM

    I pray that I can have such a wonderful relationship with my daughters one day as you have with Tori, you are an inspiration.

    Reply
  29. Heather says

    April 26, 2008 at 12:22 AM

    Ugh – more tears!

    She is beautiful beyond measure and it sounds as though her spirit is so grounded in all that is good.

    I love that you have that relationship with her, that you are able to carve out that time, regardless of how empty or not-so-empty your nest may be;) It is so special. You give me an inkling of what the future holds – I miss my big girl and she is only in kindergarten!! You both are pretty much fabulous.

    Have a blessed weekend
    Heather

    Reply
  30. Kimber says

    April 27, 2008 at 4:25 PM

    wHAT A BEAUTIFUL POST. Every Mom wants this kind of relationship with their grown daughter.

    Kim

    Reply
  31. DiJo says

    May 1, 2008 at 7:29 PM

    OK – I am just catching up on life today. This one made me WEEP!!! Oh, how I hope my girls love spending time with me eating expensive burritos when they are in college… I can’t imagine any child of yours not being amazing!!!! Thank you for sharing your beautiful girl with us!!!!

    -Diana

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

I'm Stefanie. Wife to one, mom to 13. Occasional blogger and t-shirt maker. Wannabe photographer and exerciser. Constant grace-needer and orphan advocator. more
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS

Subscribe

instagram

see more...follow us on IG

our china journeys

magnolia - 2016
clementine - 2014
tallula - 2012
penelope - 2011
vivienne - 2010
shepherd - 2008
jude - 2007
sophie - 2006
isabelle - 2005

ways to make a difference

Love Project

proceed with caution

a dirty secret in adoption
we don't celebrate gotcha day
there's no such thing as an easy adoption
if I can, you can.
co-sleeping, why we do it.
gawsh. the series.
crazy
affording adoption
God and me.
Vivi's diagnosis
the ugly, beautiful truth
special needs: my .02
my testimony
dear anonymous
my chinese son

Creative Commons License

Copyright © 2023 · Darling theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 · Darling Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.