Nearest and Dearest: 07

Dearest Abby,
You are 12 today and like I say every year,"Where did the time go?" Seriously though, where did the time go. For your first birthday, your Daddy and I took the afternoon off from work in Albuquerque and took you for your first birthday pictures. They remain among my favorite pictures of you in your sweet red Tommy dress, in your pretty white one with the flowers and then your naked self dripping in pearls. If I could have only kept you little.....

It has been a pleasure to watch you grow though. Every new experience that you have is something that I get to enjoy with you and I love that. I love how you bound through life and how difficulties don't slow you down.

This year was a hard one. It was your first year in middle school and so many days my heart ached for you as you said over and over again, "I hate school." Not having your friends with you for lunch and for classes and then feeling like you were being picked on was so hard. I wanted to scoop you up and bring you home or go after the mean kids but I couldn't. All I could do was rub your back, pray and reassure you that you were loved here at home. We made it through.

Fall brought middle school cheerleading and if middle school was rough, middle school cheerleading was even rougher. It was your first experience with mean girls. I am so proud of you though for not letting them get you down, for sticking the season out and for working so hard. For your efforts you got two first place trophies!! The smile on your face was worth it all (although the orthopedic bill from the separated shoulder because your fly couldn't quite get it down was a bit expensive).

Winter brought Color Guard and "Oh My!" While we loved the concept, we were not fond of the practices, the coach and the team mom. I don't think we will be forgetting the Pink Robots very soon.

Boys entered the picture a bit more this past year. Fifth grade at Lewis was spent liking one sweet boy Liam but sixth grade was a revolving door of boys you liked and then didn't like. We did a group fun night with two of the boys from your class and watched Hunter spend all of his money trying to win you something and then you walking over to the claw Machine and trying twice and winning a stuffed animal almost as big as you. Talk about hurting a boys ego.

I have watched you grow and mature this year and I am so proud of you. You have volunteered for nursery in church and I have watched your relationship with God grow. I hope that you will always stay close to Him and know that He is your everything.

I am trying not feel sad as I am watching my little girl grow up and while there still is that small part of you that is a little girl, I know it won't be long until I can't see her anymore.

I love you so much Tink! You were my first and you made me a Mama.

Love,

Mama

The Faces of My Girl Over the Years

Dear Maddie,
Happy Birthday Sweetheart! You are 9 years old today. 9 years ago today Daddy and I went to the hospital and 2 hours later, you were in our arms. The most precious gift from God. Such a tiny, sweet little face. Time has flown by so quickly. I know that you are growing up but I will always see you as my little girl. This year has been a big one for you. I feel like you have made the transition from little girl to big girl.

Physically you are changing so much. You have gotten so tall and so thin. In fact, I am always telling you to eat. You got your braces and expander in and you really don't enjoy eating much. It's a struggle to find things that you like and that you will eat enough of. I wish that you liked milk but you tell me all the time how much you "hate" it.

You started third grade in the fall and ended up with the most fantastic teacher, Ms. Hunter. She did the right amount of supporting you, while pushing you to accomplish all the things that she knew you could. You were sad that you didn't make Target but at the same time Mama was relieved because she knew how much you hate homework and there is so much extra homework in Target. I spent quite a bit of time explaining that God gives each of us different gifts and that while you had good grades, you also were a phenomenal athlete.

Speaking of athletics.... You dominated in two sports this year, basketball and soccer. I stand in awe every time I watch you play. You obviously didn't inherit your athletic talents from me. Maybe from your Daddy! You were asked to join the Academy Soccer program at the YMCA. While the 1/2 season with them was less than fabulous and your coach scared you, you still went out there every week and gave it your all. I think we were all relieved when you stopped playing for the YMCA. We moved you to the North Atlanta Soccer Association (NASA) in the Spring and you played rec for one season with your daddy coaching you. I was proud to watch you lead on the field and to help your newer teammates. You tried out for and were accepted to the NASA Academy on your first night of tryouts. What an accomplishment!!! We are so excited for this new season and for all the wonderful things that you will do under Coach Ward.

You also excelled in Basketball. This waas the first year that you played for the Allatoona Bucs program and you had a great time with your daddy being your assistant coach. You played such a good game that the high school coach inquired about you! Your team placed second in the playoff game and you gave them a run for their money. What a great season!!!

You were baptized this year and that made me the proudest. You came to the decision on your own and asked us if you could be baptized. You chose Pastor Craig to baptize you but you wanted Daddy and I in the water with you. The verse that I felt was chosen for you was Jeremiah 1:9-Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. My prayer for you is that you always follow Him, that you not be swayed by the world or popularity but that you always stand for Him.

You had so many great friends this year and really spent quite a bit of time with them. Your best friends were in your class, Jordan and Ella but you also were good friends with Sophie and Rylee. Mama was also happy that your friendship with Kyla continues. She is one of the oldest friends that you have to hang out with. You are also friends with a fair amount of boys and get mad when I tease you about them. Mama loves Ryan but you always say, "Mama, he is my friend!" Makaii called you quite a few times this summer and your friend Cade. Part of me is very happy that you just like boys as friends right now.

We have had some memorable vacations this year, staying on a Houseboat in Philadelphia Harbor and getting a ride from the Police back from South Street to the boat and going to NYC and visiting the site of the Twin Towers. We also returned to Blue Mtn. for the 4th year in a row and you had a great time playing with your friend Anna all week.

This was a rough year with you and your sisters, especially Abby. You seem to resent that she is the bigger sister and I spend quite a bit of time telling you to be sweet to her. I am encouraged though that you can still cuddle up at night in her bed and giggle and love on each other so I know that there is hope for the two of you.

Watching you grow this year has been bittersweet. I love to see you learn and try new things but I also hate that you are growing so quick. I am so proud of you sweetheart. Daddy and I love you so much.

Love,
Mama