Remember back here where I was daydreaming about having a blabberer? A child who would tell me every detail of life just like that teenager in the orthodontist’s office? Well, I thought I got one back here, but in all actuality, I think I got my dream-come-true in this girl: 
She went to science camp last week. It was sure quiet around here without her. 
After I dropped her off at the buses to leave home for two-and-a-half days I panicked. Because I realized she didn’t have a phone. How would I survive not knowing how she’s doing and what she’s doing and what if she needs me?? What if she gets homesick? What if she didn’t bring enough blankets and she freezes at night? But I don’t know why I fretted because that girl is resourceful, I tell you. I got three texts from her on her friends’ phones just en route alone. “Hey mom its grace we’re almost there and im soooooooooo excited! I can’t wait” “Almost there” “We’re there!” That night I propped the phone to my ear and listened to each and every detail from her first day (on yet another borrowed phone). The little girls were clamoring for my attention, Dave was out of town, the house was a mess and Max and Elle needed help on their homework. As I gave my obligatory “uh huh”s and “really?”s while trying to multitask with everything else going on an image of that girl in the orthodontist’s office came to me clear as day along with the feelings I had of yearning for that relationship. And it hit me I better stop for a minute to really listen to that sweetie pie wanting to share things with her mother. Because I have been given a precious gift in this girl with the sparkly smile.
How I hope I can nurture that communication instead of squelch it in the midst of the minutia of busy-ness.
How lucky I am to have this sweet spunky girl of mine. Love you, Grace Jam.
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I know that we love your family! You don't even know that ours exists a few states away, but my Brooke is your Grace. They are almost the exact same age! They have the same taste in clothes, bdays, attitude, and talking ability! Brooke could talk my ear off from the time I gently wake her in the morning until I tuck her in every night. Every story, every detail, sometimes even repeating exactly what we are both watching or reading. Too funny! Everytime I tell Brooke to give me a minute to think, I instantly feel sad. It is who she is! This amazing girl who loves her life so much, she wants to relive it detail by detail. Thank you for sharing your life with us. We love that "71 toes" family! Have a great one! ~Laura
What a great post! A great reminder of how important it is to listen to those girls who just never stop. I have one of those girls and this post made me smile.
I have one too! My oldest has always told me EVERYTHING-all the important stuff from school! My younger one holds back a little, although if I can pull her away from electronics and have some one on one in the car, she spills the beans. I talk to Moms of her friends, and I am amazed at how little they know of what is happening. It is a gift that I really treasure.
That is totally my daughter… and I love it… even though sometimes when my ears and brain hurt, I have to remind myself that I want a talker. 🙂
I love how intentional you are! What a treasure!
I learned a lot from this post.
We're fans of that phone plan, too … The one that someone else's parents pay for 😉
And I love when, after so much time of "borrowing" a phone, I start getting texts from those cute lending friends too 🙂
You are such a good mom, Shawni! Isn't it funny when we get what we "wish" for? My oldest is a downloader (that's what I call it) but always at the most inconvenient times, like right during the middle of her piano practice or homework. I'm torn–I want her to talk to hear heart's content, but I also wonder if it's a delay tactic. And yes, my mind wanders here & there. I love the quote you posted long ago about making sure your eyes sparkle back. Still working on that one! Thanks for sharing your days as a mom with us; it always gives me something to think about. xo
Oh man, we love that girl…and her blouse…and her mom!
You want a talker? I have 3 of them. Not sure about the 4th yet…she’s just barely started in on her “goo’s” and “ahh’s”. I always think it’s funny how eager I am for them to start talking but then I realize once they do that they never. stop. Ever.
Ever.
I can’t complain too much- I suppose it is better than the alternative, but that can be hard to remember when all 3 are in my face babbling at one time and I can’t hear myself think!
Love your blog and your sweet family!
"Listen earnestly to anything your children want to tell you, no matter what. If you don't listen eagerly to the little stuff when they are little, they won't tell you the big stuff when they are big, because to them, all of it has always been big."-Catherine M. Wallace
When I first read this quote, it was like a slap in the face! I want talkers too, but to get them, we have to be listeners. No matter what we're doing, no matter when it is, no matter where we are. Thanks for the reminder.
Shhh…don't tell anyone…but I think Grace is my favorite!