My Girl

Having a daughter is so fun.  I really, really wanted a girl when I found out I was pregnant in 1996.  I have four brothers, and no sisters, and I really wanted a sister every time another brother was born.  I just could not believe it when I found out I was having a girl.  The funny thing was how Maurice's mom reacted.  She literally screamed with joy when I told her.  She wanted a girl too.  She had two boys.

Valerie has definitely given me meaning all my adult life.  I did have her when I was 20.  She was the reason I studied harder, stayed up late, got up early, held down 2 or 3 or for one summer, 4 jobs.  She is the reason I applied to graduate school and why is decided to not persue medical school.  she is the reason I try so hard.  That is what she deserves- a mom who gives her all.  She may not have everything she wants, but she knows I work my hardest.  I made her a lot of promises about what life would be like when she was in elementary school, and I was wrong about a lot of those promises.  I regret that dearly.  In the end though, she absolutely knows that it has not been for lack of hard work and effort, that some of those things did not happen.

Last night, was her first prom.  It really was an all day event getting her and her friend ready.  Both of them wanted their hair dyed, then it was shower/exfoliation, then drying the hair, then makeup (twice for Valerie), then styling the hair, then getting dressed, portraits and FINALLY, leaving for dinner then prom.

Valerie tends to get REALLY REALLY stressed with events like this.  She wants everything to be perfect, and I do my best, but I am not perfect.  I will say though, we had a great day, and I do feel like she will look back with happiness on her first prom.

I started the day with breakfast for her and her best friend, Hailey.  I cooked for them in trade for being allowed to take photos first thing in the morning.  

Valerie's toes (and tattoo)

Valerie's nails

Managing Asher and dying hair became too stressful, soooooo... I put Asher in the bathtub with a bucket of new beach toys, and a vial of blue food coloring.  It worked.  I totally got both girls' hair dyed and he was completely entertained.

Valerie did enjoy her first prom, and for that, I am so grateful.  She plays pretty tough, but she is very, very sensitive.  It was important to me that she feel as beautiful as she is.  I do not ever know that she will know this fully- but I do hope she felt a measure of how I see her.


I am so proud of her.  She has really accomplished so much this year:

All As and Bs every grading period aside for one lonely C at the beginning of the year

She passed all her SOLs (which should not be an issue when one makes all A's and B's, but the SOL system is ridiculous and greatly flawed)

She is ROCKING dental assisting

She has maintained all this while working 12-24 hours a week at the movie theatre

She is going to SPAIN in three weeks and paid for more than half of the trip herself

She has great friends

She does not do things that would make me fear for her health and safety

I am so glad

I am so proud of her

I love my daughter dearly