Proud Mom is Speechless

My Best Girl

Tonight was the cap to a very very fulfilling long weekend with Harper. Parenting is "the" most difficult thing I have ever done....nothing has ever pushed me like being a parent. The last couple weeks, she has really blossomed and become my best best buddy. I mean she has always been but I think she actually realizes she is now:)

Just the two of us went out for Dinner tonight, and we ordered our usual one dish to split. We were at this delicious new spot in Franklin, Riff's, that is a throwback to an old hamburger and fry joint. It features these local beef irresistable cheeseburgers, "skinny fries", fried okra, cantalope...you know, the perfect well balanced meal. I let Harper pick out the table, her own booster, and away we dug in. She was minding her manners, I was making sure to get my stash of the "skinny" fries, and I almost forgot to order the sick Daddy's meal to go. I stand up and walk over to the counter to quickly order a burger to go and as I look back to check on Harper, there is my adorable well mannered chunky monkey little girl finishing a huge bite of something and gently removing her napkin from under her fork to gently wipe her mouth. Her "gentle" is a quick blot smear but she has come such a long way. It really made me feel something that I struggle to put into words. I will give it a shot though....

It's like you work so hard to constantly teach and guide them without being an annoying helicopter and trying to have a lot (not a little) fun while you are doing it. And just when you least expect it, the words escape you....this enormous smile overwhelms your face...and no one around you has any idea what you are feeling. So I guess the word for it is PROUD but I'm absolutely certain I never knew what that word really ever meant.

I try not to go on and on with the one liner updates that makes Harper who she is because what a snoozeville to everyone with a kid or without a kid! But sometimes, you have to share some things that make you feel so so good. Even though I have no picture or video, I will never forget this night or the look on her face. Loving this little girl makes my world go round!