god’s beautiful thing …

No one else will ever know the depth of my LOVE for you.
After all, you’re the only one who knows what my heart sounds like from the inside.
{quote source}

This girl amazes and surprises me almost everyday. Honestly, she always has.

Some of you may know I’d been homeschooling Taylor the last 2 years. She’s had some issues with learning in the past, so last summer I decided to have her academically tested. The results weren’t too far off base from what I’d already observed, but one finding had us quite shocked.

It’d been recommended Taylor not go to a four year college. Given the results of her testing and the fact that she’d missed key educational facts throughout her schooling years, there didn’t look to be anyway she’d thrive, let alone succeed, at a four year school.

Needless to say, we felt deflated and started thinking about other options.

After a school year of falling very far behind, much to my surprise, this past summer Taylor started talking about going back to “real school.” Given that she was very behind in her schoolwork {like still doing 10th grade work at the end of her 11th grade year}, I wasn’t too sure how realistic her request was. I told her if she buckled down {what a mom thing to say!} and got all her schoolwork done, that I’d look into it.

Wouldn’t you know? A few weeks later, she came down with stacks of books and schoolwork, she’d had it almost all completed! If you had any idea how much work I’m talking about, you’d think she’d hired someone to finish her work for her! With just a few other things to complete, I started calling the local high school to find out what we’d need to do to get her registered.

No easy feat.

But we did it.

Taylor started high school this past September and she is full-on loving it! Like loving. Like she’s a self-proclaimed nerd and loving it!

She works with a tutor four days a week, she’s working part-time at Justice, and she continues to ride her best-buddy Cozmo.

Taylor started the year as a junior {instead of a senior}, and will graduate a year behind “schedule.” But she’s completely focused and determined to get herself into a four year college of her choosing!

Although this kid continues to be stuck in the middle of adversity and stress, she takes it in stride … offers grace and forgiveness.

I continue to learn oodles from this love of mine. Namely, perseverance.

Not sure why, but a scene from Dirty Dancing comes to mind … it’s the final show, Baby’s stuck sitting with her parents, and in walks Johnny with his now famous line, “Nobody puts Baby in a corner.”

Others have wanted to put my baby in a corner … with labels, with lies, with negativity. But my baby in all her amazeball-ways consistently declares to herself, “Nobody will put me in a corner!”

I love, love, love the song, Beautiful Things by Gungor. It reminds me of my sweet babygirl every time I hear it.

Taylor … my sweet babygirl … you truly are God’s beautiful thing. I wub you with all my heart and soul.


 

16 Comments

  1. CheezyK November 15, 2012 at 12:24 am

    YAY TAYLOR!!! It is amazing what can be achieved with a little motivation and determination (or loads of it if that’s what’s needed). Well done to both of you.

    Reply
  2. dawn November 15, 2012 at 9:23 am

    no tissue warning?!?!
    you know i’ve been dying to see the yellow dress photos… just beautiful!
    and that song in amazing… and yourslide show too. fun to have seen so many of those on your walls!! she is is stunning young lady, inside & out… with a strength that keeps on going. kinda like her mama. i hope next time she might turst me a little more :)

    Reply
  3. Misty November 15, 2012 at 9:50 am

    ….love it.

    Reply
  4. Terry November 15, 2012 at 10:16 am

    Goosebumps…I am happy for Taylor and for you…for taking the time to do what was right and now she is thriving…there is simply nothing like a mother’s love and belief in our children. Holy cow she looks more and more like you every day….beautiful!!

    Reply
  5. Gretchen November 15, 2012 at 10:23 am

    Tracie- a beautiful tribute to a daughter. Her strength shows in each photo. A mother’s love does amazing things.

    Reply
  6. Tiffany November 15, 2012 at 11:54 am

    Goosies! Simply beautiful! Holy “amaze-balls”! Now I have to re-do my eye make up! Thanks for a good cry! Out of one amazing Mommy, comes one amazing daughter! Way to go Taylor1

    Reply
  7. Su November 15, 2012 at 11:58 am

    We did the same thing with our son (who is the same age as Tayor).
    When we moved, we started over with high school and it has made all the difference!
    It took a lot of courage on his part, and we are SO PROUD! He also won’t be backed into a corner. He is in control. I’m proud of your daughter too!
    One more year to get it right won’t hurt, and college is such a big leap, the foundation needs to be there!

    Reply
  8. nilsa November 15, 2012 at 12:51 pm

    I have said it before and I’ll say it again…she has transformed from an adorable, fun child to a beautiful and smart young lady…you must be one proud mama!

    Reply
  9. heather November 15, 2012 at 12:58 pm

    SO GLAD that she is finding success this year at school and liking learning!!! That is so awesome!!!

    That video was awesome…I love all the little Taylor pics and her amazing love for her sisters shines through loud and clear!!!

    Reply
  10. pamela November 15, 2012 at 6:34 pm

    what an amazing, amazing tribute. she is amazing. what a spirit. uncontainable!

    Reply
  11. Sally Kuhlman November 15, 2012 at 7:02 pm

    Tracy, this video is an incredibly beautiful love note to your beautiful daughter, Taylor. You are an amazing Mom. I know that Taylor will reach her dream of a 4-year college. She and you are strong women. Always remember to reach for the stars. Love to you and your beautiful family. xo, Sally

    Reply
  12. Tay November 15, 2012 at 7:17 pm

    Wow. What a great story! That’s right – nobody puts baby in a corner!

    Reply
  13. Barbie November 15, 2012 at 7:24 pm

    What a beautiful testimony! My oldest son, who is 18, just officially graduated from high school in October. I pulled him out of public HS mid-way through his Sophmore year as he was failing. We did no line public school for about a year, which was horrible. I then homeschooled him the last 1.5 years full time, while working, with the help of a tutor 2-3 days a week. He graduated as a with A’s and B’s! I am happy to hear Taylor is loving high school!

    Reply
  14. Jennifer {StudioJRU} November 15, 2012 at 8:39 pm

    What a beautiful and amazing story of perseverance! That is one special girl you have there. Love the photos too! :)

    Reply
  15. Pam Bairnsfather November 29, 2012 at 11:06 am

    What a special young lady. Just like her mama, she is so beautiful and amazing inside and out.

    Reply

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