So much time has passed...

I have intended, so many times before now, to blog faithfully and keep a journal of sorts, on a daily basis. I haven't done well at that goal, and I hope to change that starting now.

We have a not so new baby. Rylee Paityn was born October 21, 2015. She is the most perfect addition to our family. I no longer feel like our family is missing a part. Our family is complete, and I am oh so happy. I will blog about her another day.

So so much dance drama has happened, and I have seen both of my big girls grow so much this past year. You are not the same girls as when the year started, for you have come so far and learned more than I ever thought possible. You have learned that drama happens, girls are mean, you will be left out, people will not always like you, and that it's ok to be different. You have learned to own your differences with pride, to wear them like  designer clothes, to not apologize for who you are. It hasn't come without struggle, and tears. Oh so many tears. You both feel the rejection and pain, moreso Ashlynne. McKynzie, you don't seem to crave intimacy to the depth that Ashlynne does, and you easily make friends wherever you go. Ashlynne, you are not content with surface, shallow relationships. You long to bond, to have a bestie, and someone to return the friendship that you extend. Somewhere, there is a mom(s) who is praying for a friend for their daughters, just like you, and there are parents praying for a wife for their sons, just like you. And there is a boy, praying for a wife with everything you possess.

Ashlynne you have been hurt and rejected and left out of your junior dance group by Taylor, Alysha, and Charli. Taylor and Charli are rude, vindictive, horrible  bullies. Alysha isn't loyal, and plays the fence. You have had to learn to stand up for yourself and not let people walk all over you.
Anyhow, you have bonded with Jayden and Riley, and the three of you text on a group thread. Jaden texted some not super nice comments (caca butt,) but nothing super horrifying. and Riley called her out on it and told her in the thread that "Ashlynne checks this and so does my  mom (as she uses her moms phone) Then when you guys were at dance, Riley begged you to delete the inappropriate things Jaden texted so that it erased all evidence so she and Jaden wouldn't get in trouble. You wouldn't. Riley also told you that she wasn't supposed to say "what the heck,' but she does at Jadens house, and hides it from her mom.  She knew you would tell me and that made her upset, as she thought I would tell her mom, and I would be upset at it. She also told you she would get spanked for it. You didn't cave. You assured her I wouldn't be mad, and she asked you not to tell me. Jaden wouldn't speak to you because of the same reason. After class, Riley came to you and asked that if you were gonna tell me, she would go with you. You turned her down. You assured her we talk about everything. You came home so disappointed in their choices, and let down. You thought they were better than that, to do something they weren't supposed to do, and then to erase evidence to prevent a consequence. And ask you to do the same! You were so strong! And I was so proud. I can't even explain how proud I am that you stood up to them, had integrity and wouldn't erase the evidence, and that you came right home and told me! You held nothing back, and I was nearly brought to tears that you trusted our relationship so much. You felt safe, secure, and knew the right thing was. I pray you never EVER lose that.

And McKynzie, you listened to it all, soaking up every word. I pray you tucked the principles from that situation deep inside your heart, to pull out when you need them in the future. I know you will, for you are a popular little lady, and your friends will try the same to you, of that I am sure.

Ashlynne, you were brokenhearted that your friends had betrayed a code of ethics and integrity. You were grieved in your spirit, to the point of I seriously doubt you wanted to be good friends with them after this. I encouraged you that we are to look for fruit to determine what sort of character someone has, but that we, in no way chalk someone off for a mistake. I encouraged you to hold them to a standard of integrity and to encourage them to tell their parents about it.

I pray that you both get daughters just like you, so you can truly know how blessed I am to be your mama. I love you very much. I must go to bed now, for I am exhausted from remodeling our Queen Creek house. You both are very brave souls, and I am beyond blessed to be loved by you. I love you more than you will ever know!