Why I'm Proud of an F...

As my sweet daughter walked into the house after school, I asked the normal questions: How are you?, How was your day?... Her reply, "Good, I got my report card, mommy!" Nervous and anxious I replied, "How'd you do?" A little shaky she replied, "Well, (smiling and putting her head down) I got a couple A's, a B, and a C." "Oh that's great!" I said. She continued, "Well, I also got an F, too. Am I grounded?"

During report card time, I always see parents bragging about their child's grades and it reminded me of my child's grade. Don't get me wrong, I would totally brag, too - and I am - right here! I think it is wonderful to see children thriving in school and love hearing parents speak so highly of their children. I am celebrating with each of you :)

Our daughter arrived to our home the beginning of November, she was pretty chipper right away. It took a few days, but then she asked to call us mommy and daddy. It wouldn't be until January that we really started to find more out about her life.

I will not share details, but I will say that we have spent many nights up late crying with her. We have spent evenings with therapists and afternoons speaking with teachers. This lack of knowledge in academics was stolen from her. She did not have a choice to thrive. From being in more schools than one could count to learning survival skills that elude me. Her survival skills included lying, dramatizing situations, acting dumb, never showing emotion, whining and complaining.

In the two months she has been home we have grown together so much. Our family has strengthened and I know some may wonder how, but I couldn't give you an answer if I tried. My best guess would be because we have someone showing us true thankfulness, true humbleness, true neediness, true passion for family. Seeing the family pull together with each other is beautiful. Seeing our kids grow compassion and love makes me speechless.

In the two months she has been home, she has learned SO MUCH. From not knowing what a state was to learning what all four hemispheres, countries, and continents are. From never doing an event at night to participating in concerts and basketball games. From nibbling food to make it last to learning when she is full. This love bug has learned so much.

She has been through a ton. If I shared (which I wouldn't even outside of this blog because it is her story) what she has gone through in the past ten years, she would have a medal. How she has grown in the past two months is immeasurable. We don't handicap our children and we don't let them handicap themselves. Seeing how she has learned who God is, asks multiple questions about Him, and volunteers to pray after devotions, before dinner and at bed time is simply beautiful.

So, when she said she got an F, then asked if she would be grounded. Our response? Our response was, "That'll happen sometimes. What we're going to do is try harder - all of us. We are proud of you!"

Sometimes an F means so much more! So thankful that God has given us opportunities to see deeper and I pray you do, too!