Today, we’re celebrating a birthday! My oldest turns 13, and I’m really kind of thrown by it. I can’t believe our family not includes a newly minted teenager, especially since every time I look at him, I seem to see this little boy smile.
Still, I’m so very proud of the young man growing up right before my eyes, and I’m so very honored and grateful that God gave me the blessing of being his mother. These years are so fraught with decisions and choices and stretching and learning and letting go and embracing. Growing up is not for the faint of heart. And neither is parenting. I told myself when they were born that I would never wish away any of their stages, no matter how frustrating or challenging. Sometimes I think the biggest lesson in parenting is grabbing hold of that tenuous balance of letting go of the last stage, embracing the next, and holding tight to what matters as we transition between the two. And, the biggest wonderment I continue to find is just how amazing it is to see them come into their own — into their own thoughts, their own interests, their own habits, their own uniqueness. That takes courage. Happy Birthday, sweet boy!
Hello & welcome! I’m Haley Montgomery, and I’m the designer and owner of 
Wise words.
Thank you, Jenny!