Do you make others feel valuable?  Loved?  Wise?  Brave?  Beautiful?  Capable?  I want to.  Lord, root out the self love and competition that keeps me from raising up others above me, without limits or hope of recompense.  

Rules For My (One-Day) Daughter:

38. If you borrow a formal, dry clean it before you return it. 

39. Treasure your shoes

40. Don't pull away from your friends when they get married - or forget them when you do. 

41. Always be willing to find a new friend. 

42. Always be willing to fight to keep an old one.

43. Listen to women older than you.

44. Learn from the choices of others.

45. Consider the comfort of those around you, when choosing a conversation, location, or beverage. 

46. You can pull off lip stick. 

47. You're never too old to color, too smart to laugh, or too tired to be kind. (shoot, hopefully by then I'll 48. obey this one too!)

49. Laugh at your dad's jokes. 

50. Read the card first, you'll get over the awkwardness of being watched in silence. ;) 

51. Play. 

52. Forgive. 

53. Life's not about avoiding 'getting in trouble.'

54. Dream lots. 

55. Dance (it's in your blood). 

56. Don't talk with food in your mouth. 

57. Don't let boys drive your car, unless they're safe drivers.

58. There's rarely a reason to let a girl friend drive your car. 

59. Always look to honor, encourage and build up. 

60. Clean your room. 

61. If it's spelling - ask your dad. 

62. Tease him back. 

63. Hug and kiss your grandpa and grandma, lots. 

"A girl should always be two things: Classy and Fabulous."
- Coco Chanel

Can a girl be covered in mud and still be classy and fabulous?  Can she sled down huge hills, play soccer in the rain, or indulge in her favorite ice cream, movie and sweats, and be classy and fabulous?  I sure hope so.  If not... I just can't agree.  I think a girl should always be playful, loving and sincere.  I want to be classy, but I never won "fabulous" as my character quality award in elementary school.  I've also never included it on the list of who I aspire to be.  But then again, show me a girl who's alive, who's confident in who she is, a true creative piece, and I'll call her wonderful no matter where she bought her shirt. So perhaps I agree with Coco Chanel after all.  In reality, who am I to disagree? :)

Since last week, I have been compiling a few 'rules for my one-day daughter.' They aren't witty and brilliant like the author of Rules For My Unborn Son, they are just the written form of a lot of 'hmming' over the past years. Lessons I'd like to pass on to my daughter one day.

1. Always wear a tank top under a button-up.
2. Read more books than magazines.
3. You don't have to brush your hair. Just make sure your fingers won't get stuck. ;)
4. Take care of your teeth.
5. Learn to say no to yourself.
6. Don't ever say something to one person, in hopes someone else will hear you. Speak to the person you're speaking to.
7. Say what you mean. Then stop.
8. Don't tell stories of being hit on. It won't win you admirers, or convince people you're pretty.
9. You're pretty.
10. Treat your sister like your best friend, because one day, she will be.
11. Go to sleep overs. Never be the first to fall asleep, nor the one who keeps everyone else awake all night.
12. Always take Dare. Truth just gets you trouble!
13. PMS is an excuse, but it's a poor one. At the very least, remember to apologize and learn from your behavior.
14. Let boys open the door.
15. Give boys the opportunity to lead. And if they don't, lead sweetly.
16. Don't ever dumb yourself down for others.
17. Don't talk with food in your mouth.
18. Don't belch!
19. Smile at strangers.
20. Shoes are my favorite to look at too, but always make eye contact.
21. When I tell you you're like no other and better than all the rest, take it humbly, but believe it, because I say what I mean.
22. Don't ever become the girl who can't leave the house without makeup.
23. If your dad wants to take you out to a late-night-last-minute movie, you better be ready to roll in 5 minutes! Nobody wants to miss the previews.
24. Don't embarass your siblings in front of non-family. (The rest of the time, please do.)
25. Don't attempt to improve your standing by knocking others down.
26. I'll always care more about the truth of who you are, than the reputation. You do the same.
27. It seems big now, but believe me, it isn't.
28. Tell me secrets. Tell me tummyaches. Tell me heartaches. Tell me dreams.
29. Don't do things half--.... Whatever you do, do it with all your heart and ability!
30. Be a gracious loser.
31. You can be a good athlete and girly at the same time- I'll help. ;) Don't squeel, or fall all over.
32. Watch your mouth - keep it clean.
33. Don't tell other people's secrets.
34. Boys will always try to make you sound dumb. (This is because they really think you are.) I haven't found the answer to this one yet, but believe me, the good ones finally recognize (and admit at times) you're really quite clever. ;) In the meantime, just smile (and get better grades). It will get to them better than anything you could say.
35. It is okay to be fiesty.
36. Always say a little less than you could. Whatever you tell, hold something back for only the dearest to your heart to one day know.
37. Laugh at yourself, but not too often.