My Dancing Queen...she's Seventeen!

This picture describes my Jocelyn perfectly. She can exude a quiet strength and at the same time speak profound volumes about who she is. She is rooted where she stands...even if she's completely alone. I love this about her! She is often misunderstood...and it can be so frustrating for her. Nearly everyone has heard of the terms introvert and extrovert. People commonly use these words to describe personality or how personable a person is. A popular definition for an Introvert is a person who is quiet and withdrawn. Whereas a popular definition for an Extrovert would be someone who is loud and outgoing. She is both, which is known in the term of personalities as an Ambivert. I have loved watching her develop this balance over the years, discover who she is and be okay with it! Not that i've enjoyed watching her struggle, but this struggle {indeed} has given her depth of character and perspective...which i love!

For the longest time, she leaned more on the introvert side of the scale. I noticed she didn't like staying there, because people would call her "shy"- implying that there was something "wrong" with her. I would tell her otherwise. There isn't anything wrong with YOU! I wanted her to know & believe that she was amazing and clearly enough!...after all that's what mom's do, right? Society sure doesn't accentuate the positive, so that's where my job comes in! She needed/needs to know this for herself. The trick for her (i think) is to honor her style and individuality instead of allowing herself to be swept up by prevailing norms... because she wants to be heard! She wants to make a bold statement!...i love that about her! This does not mean that she doesn't still struggle, because she does! We ALL do! The reward is knowing who you are and remembering who you are, especially today...when it's easy to doubt!

Praying to know what her strengths, talents and spiritual gifts has been and continues to be her mission here. Here's a diagram that I feel fits her.

She is reserved & deep thinking naturally yet has such great courage in trying new things, which does not come naturally for her. She has attended many different schools, including home schooling! At one point (by inspiration) I realized there was so much I could not teach her. What comforted me most during this transition, was I knew & felt I was still her most influential teacher and my most important responsibilities were never done. I set a standard, a strong foundation and sent her off. She has struggled and has been refined. As hard as it's been to witness, i'm also so grateful for her endurance and determination. This is a favorite quote of hers:

Never hold back your step for a moment,
Never doubt that your courage will grow.
Hold your head ever higher
and into the fire we go. ~Scarlet Pimpernel

She's very creative. She loves music, musicals, singing, dancing, reading, thinking, swimming, laughing, crying, eating (especially Oreos), being alone, being with friends/family...and is always on a quest for being and doing more!!!! Here's another good quote!

She wants to go to Brigham Young University and major in Linguistics. She has a plan and has laser focus! Jocelyn is a beautiful daughter of a loving Heavenly Father. I first became a mother because of her. I'm grateful for this sacred privilege of raising her here. She is an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loves and lives His Gospel. Her love, knowledge and understanding of the scriptures is a beautiful gift. She hungers to know the truth of all things. She teaches me so much.

Happiest of Birthdays my dancing queen...only {already} seventeen! I love you Jocelyn!