Happy Birthday, Mikelyn!

I can’t believe that my daughter is 19 years old!

I’m certain that I just gave birth to her yesterday. Where does the time go?

She was born strong-willed. She walked early (before 8 mos). She talked early. She has always been ready to embrace the next great step in life.

There is a Facebook post circulating in light of the Ashley Madison/Duggar scandal where a mother wishes to teach her daughter that she breathes fire.

Mikelyn has always breathed fire. She is fierce. She is independent. She lowers her standards for no one, including herself. I am so proud of her. I am proud of the baby she was. I am proud of the woman she has become. I have always felt that she embodies the nature of Deborah from Judges. Mikelyn is bold, brave, and (usually) wise… except when it comes to anything electronic, but I digress.

When Mikelyn was just 2.5 years old, I developed gall stones while I was pregnant with her brother. Any time I had a gall stone attack, she would call her dad and grandma to give them updates. She would bring me water. She could make herself a PB&J or get a juice box from the fridge. She has always been quick to take care of others. In case you missed that, she was 2.5 years old.

She's still a mess sometimes, too. — She’s still a mess sometimes, too.

As remarkable as she is, and always has been, she is also easily the messiest of my children. She views life as what happens outside of the home so she doesn’t take the time to make home worth staying in.

She didn't just look sweet. She was sweet. — She didn’t just look sweet. She was sweet.

As a toddler, instead of saying “yes”, she would say, “Go, go, go, go, go” exactly 5 times every time. “Go, go, go, go, go” is not just what she once said. It is who she is. She is always ready to go. Where is the next step? Where is the next challenge? Where is the next mountain? Where is the next battle? She is ready!

Mikelyn is attending Rhema Bible College studying to become a Children’s Minister. This is very fitting for her since she has served in Children’s Ministry since she was in 6th grade. She has been a babysitter, a nanny, and a daycare worker. She loves children, and children love her. I think they are drawn to the fire she breathes because we all want to breathe fire. I know that she will play an important role in the lives of future fire-breathers because true fire-breathers pass on the gift.