The Daily Hailey

I’m pretty enamoured with Laela these days. She has a beautiful blend of characteristics. She is so sweet and caring and responsible, while being completely bonkers and nonsensical. I really love spending time with her.

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I worried about her a bit over this last year. As she watched me struggle, she became determined to shoulder the load that is simply not hers to carry. I do not want her to grow up any faster than she absolutely has to, and she was so convinced she needed to. We’ve finally struck a balance, she and I, and I really like it. She takes on more jobs than she used to, even at the moments where she’d rather not. On weekends, if she can tell I’m overwhelmed, she’ll approach me quietly and make a supper suggestion that she can do almost all on her own. Sandwiches for lunch, or macaroni for supper. Something like that. If I say I have a different plan, or something along those lines, she will always offer to help. She also will happily read to her younger siblings, so thats a big help! And she does laundry now! Woot!

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In this time, she and I have grown so much closer, and I am SO grateful for it. Out of her deep desire to solve EVERY problem, she has released some of the control and rather, she just pours love. And that is awesome. She is protective of me, thats for sure, but I too am protective of her 💜 We’ve started to write notes back and forth. She has been leaving me little notes since Brady went to the hospital. I keep them up around my room. I love them. But recently, she wrote me a note that said “please write back” on it. So I did. And I am LOVING this relationship! Oof!

I hope we can always have this closeness.

Laela had the pleasure of going on a date with her dad the other day, and while they were out together, she convinced Brady I needed some new scissors for crocheting. Because she needed to think outside of herself. All on her own.

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I am so proud of my Laela Hazel. Its been beautiful to watch her grow and mature over the last year, specifically. I can see strong traits from both sides of the family in her beautiful face. I can see her brain ticking in new ways at school and in life. When she and I are alone, she’ll come forward with her more personal questions and thoughts, and I am truly honoured to be her go-to. I have eagerly awaited this part of our relationship. Soon, she will be an adult, and my part of her upbringing will be done. She already has her husband selected, of course, so she’ll likely not need me quite as much 😏 Hopefully still some, though. I know I’m supposed to dread her growing up, but I really don’t.

Laela girl, you are a treasure. One of the most generous, selfless little girls I’ve ever known.

To know you is to love you 💜 I think all of your close people would agree.