Twelve-teen

Well, it has finally happened.  This “hott mama” is officially the shortest girl in the Hott House.  At 46 and the gray haired mother of four, my girls are now both taller than I.  And, the boys, at 7 and 8 years old, aren’t far behind.

I’m not saying that I am short or anything!  At a whopping five feet, I have never once in my life felt vertically challenged.  No.  Never.  I just always took it that five feet, by the skin of my teeth, was all the taller I would ever get to be.  What I don’t get is this:  Why is being taller than mom such a huge deal?

For Levi at seven, he is officially measured at my elbows.  For Isaac at eight, he is just under my chin.  Well, Caity?  She is 22; so, she passed me a loooong time ago.  Over the years, my children’s height has been calculated to my “various” body parts.  And thank heaven for growth spurts.

Now, for Violet.  Today is the last day Violet will be eleven years old.  Tomorrow, February 18, 2012, is her birthday.  I have been watching her lately.  It seems that when she gets up in the morning she is significantly taller than when she went to bed the previous night!  How is that possible?  Do your kids grow overnight too?  Really!  Violet will come down the steps and need longer jeans.  I kid you not, right now as I get ready to go out, I am wearing Violet’s shoes from last summer.

So, today on the eve of her twelfth birthday, I am pleased to announce that the pediatrician that performed Violet’s track physical for school has officially measured her at (drum roll here…)  five feet and ONE INCH!  Yes, she is taller than mom!

Tomorrow, we will ceremoniously place her height on the Hott House log that calculates all our children’s,  nieces’, nephews’, cousins’, and even a few neighbors’ growth progress.  This year will be monumental because Violet has finally surpassed Mom.

So, whether your children are much younger or if, well… you’re a shortie like me, I guess the inevitable will happen to all of us someday.  Not only growth, but all the other milestones that come with it:  from first steps to first school dances.  How truly precious are these moments we have and privileged to be a mom, right?

As sweet Violet turns twelve tomorrow, she may be officially too big for me to carry but she will always be my baby.  From the infant that cried nightly at 5:00 p.m. on.the.clock. to the sixth grader that flips for gymnastics, sits first chair flute, gets straight A’s, and picks on her younger brothers, “Hott Flashes” celebrates not only my babies but all you Moms of Faith out there honored by God to be given these cherished gifts.

“Train up a child in the way he should go: even when he is old he will not depart from it” – Proverbs, 22:6

And, even when (s)he is taller than mom!

Copyright © Angie Hott, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved