At last.
And worth the wait, if I do say so myself.
We were crazy busy yesterday and frankly, I wasn’t able to talk Tori into gallivanting outside with me for a mini-photo shoot until this afternoon.
It took me that long to twist her arm.
She just makes my heart smile, this girl of mine.
She has been a source of endless joy to me since she came into the world, as I cursed and thought I’d surely die from birthing, well… a baby.
I was young and foolish and for some reason was in a ridiculous amount of denial about the pain of childbirth. Reality came crashing in hard and fast.
Thankfully, it took me about .23 seconds to look into her sweet, goopy eyes and forget it all.
Tori might not look it, but she’s tough. She’s truly nothing. like. me. She’s resilient. She keeps her feelings in check. She doesn’t wear her heart on her sleeve.
And she’s feisty. She’s independent. And she’d rather be shot from a canon than have anyone feel sorry for her.
It took me about 14 years of over-mothering for me to finally realize that she wasn’t like me, and even more importantly, she wasn’t mine. She belonged to God. And that He not only could but would take care of her.
And that all I could do, indeed all I needed to do, was love her, teach her about Him and trust Him with the rest.
This realization has changed our relationship. My perspective changed to one more eternal than temporal. I now do my darnedest to give her the space she needs to grow and thrive. And she does her best to accommodate my need to know, well, pretty much everything that she’s open to sharing.
She’s a forgiving girl, praise the Lord.
She is a biology major, in her third year. She wants to work in the health care industry.
I think she’d make an amazing pediatric physical or occupational therapist.
Actually, I think she’d be amazing at anything.
She attends an engineering school which, just by virtue of the fact that she’s still attending said engineering school, means she’s smart.
And, as you can see, incredibly, incredibly beautiful.
Lucky girl looks nothing like her mama.
P.S. To learn more about Sunday Snapshot, visit here for the basics 🙂
She's beautiful just like her mama and what a blessing.
What a truly beautiful post about Tori…just beautiful!
Just want to let you know that I have our SSS post already for this coming Sunday (Jan 3)! Seeing how we will be away this coming weekend…I needed to get mine done – now lol!
BTW – Congrats on the TA!
Absolutely beautiful as always, on the inside and out!! I love the pics!!
You must be so proud of all of her accomplishments so far. Plus she is completely gorgeous!! She should try modeling!
Wonderful pictures of Tori!! That hat works really well for her! Makes her eyes pop – perfect day too – with the snow falling and all.
You must be very proud of her – smart AND beautiful. You know, it is quite the realization that our kids aren't actually ours. I always imagine Abraham taking up Isaac to be sacrificed – could I have done it? Really? My own child?
I love imagining my kids as teenagers, in college – I hope that they love to come home like Tori does. And I hope they let me take their pictures 🙂
Stunninly beautiful…inside & out…just like her momma!!
It was your comment about taking you "14 years of overmothering" that really got to me…you see, I'm already over-mothering & this part of your post spoke very loudly to my heart…thank you…so wise you are!
A beautiful, first-born blessing!!
ENJOY your time home with her…I know you will!! 🙂
HUGS!!!
She is so beautiful!!! What a lovely post : )
Tori is a VERY beautiful girl with a beautiful heart! I think the fact she allowed you to photoshoot her proves her heart 🙂 Why are we so reluctant to give our children over to the Lord (speaking to self)? He is so good! And what a blessing when they love HIM!
She is so pretty! Glad to hear I'm not the only one that had to figure out that God loves my children even more than I do! I had one of those "ah-ha" moments several years ago (actually, I think it was also that 14-year mark!) when I realized God gave me these children to care for, but there are many times I need to get out of the way to let Him work.
Hoping to get back to SSS this week since I have blown it the last couple!
Tori has amazing eyes!!! Holy cow!!!
She sounds like one smart cookie!!!
It is definitely hard to balance the 'letting go' and 'still mothering' our kids as they become adults! (Sigh!) I'm still working on that!!
Your first born is a blessing, indeed!!!
Oh my! She is just GORGEOUS! Throw in the snow and that lovely aquamarine hat and those photos are perfect!
What a wonderful young lady!
Your daugher is beautiful inside and out!!!
The pictures are amazing.
Congratulations on TA!!! Cannot wait to watch in awe as you bring home your daughter…
Tracey in MA
Love this post by you! I love you honesty and heartfelt words about your daughter!! A gentle reminder for those of us who sometimes forget they are not ours and we are different and that is okay!
10 days!!! WOW!!!! Another daughter of the King coming home to you!!!
I must say that I think Tori is beautiful, although in my opinion she looks quite like her mama;)
Praying for safe travels to Vivi – hope you don't mind if I post a prayer request on my blog and add you guys to my list of prayers…
Blessings, Ashley
Tori's eyes are exquisite! Almost almond shaped and the most lovely of turquoise blue! Stunning.
Brains, too? Wow. I'd like to plug the field of pediatric speech/language pathology, if you don't mind. lol
What a wonderful daughter. What a wonderful tribute. 🙂
Stefanie, these are just GORGEOUS photos of your beautiful girl!! I mean, seriously beautiful girl! She looks like a model.
And I'm sorry, but I had to read one part over a few times because I thought you were saying she would rather be shot BY A CANON. Sorry, a little photography humor, from a Canon Girl. LOL.
Great post, Stef!!
She is beautiful and I love learning more about Tori. Snce she is the oldest and away… we don't see/hear as much about her. I loved hearing about your journey letting go of her and realizing she was God's child. I could completely relate. When Will was very ill as baby and about to have serious surgery….I realized he was on loan to me from God and that all I could do was trust Him too. Such an important lesson to learn.
So excited for your trip to bring Vivienne home!!!!
Tori is just gorgeous, inside and out, sounds like!!!! I promise I will get back on the SS posts when I can get a moment to myself to think, maybe when the kids go back to school???? Loved learning about Tori!!!
Oh Stef!
Thank you for reminding me to let my girls be who God has created them to be! I love these photos of Tori!!!! And, I love to hear about your relationship with her!
Blessings,
Diana
Wow! What great parents you guys are! You love your children soooooo very much and it shows with every post. I think you guys are awesome and I can't wait to read all about the newest addition in…8 or 9 days! God bless you on this journey and have a safe return!!!