[Autosaved] Mary-Michael - Sweet Sixteen!

Mary-Michael,

The one who first made me a mother - my firecracker with a determination that trumps us all and a fun-loving, invite-them-all spirit. You are a treasure and a force to behold.

This year has been filled with firsts for you - first boyfriend, first time behind the wheel, first college class, first job. More than most, I am enjoying parenting you in these teenage years. I love our conversations about ethics, religion, and politics. I’m thankful for your fashion sense and welcome (mostly) your feedback and suggestions for my outfits. You are well-loved by so many, and you have such wonderful friends that make me laugh and give me hope for our world.

You are not perfect, and you are still 16, so we still battle it out every now and then, but thankfully, we move on pretty quickly in our house. Forgiveness is so much better!

You are currently pretty set on becoming a physicians assistant (PA), so you have planned the next two years to get most of your gen ed courses out of the way through community college. I’m so proud of your determination. 

You are working 5 to 10 hours a week at the fitness center we go to as a family – cleaning machines, vacuuming, etc. You seem to like it, which amazes me because getting you to organize your closet and clean your room is probably the thing we argue the most about it. I guess it helps that you’re getting paid there!

Your boyfriend, Nata (aka Nathaniel), has been a good match for you. We have enjoyed and appreciated the slowness of your relationship and the way you have honored your Daddy and I through this new season. He is a fine young man who treats you well and your family well and also loves Jesus. You have done a good job balancing friendships with this new relationship. I’m very thankful!

You will be getting your license in just a few months. Your driving has improved drastically from the beginning, and it will be a different summer having another driver in the family. Let’s gooo! You’re super thrilled about the “old lady” Buick sedan to drive, too. Just kidding. It will keep you humble.

Keep seeking Jesus, keep asking questions, keep exploring the world and how it works - you have so much to add to it! We love you and all your spiciness! 

Momma

Eight is Great

Benaiah -

I cannot imagine our family without you. Wow, you add so much life and joy to our days and keep us all laughing with a child-like spirit. 

It’s hard to believe that sweet little boy we held in the hospital on his second day of life is already eight years old. Halfway to 16 - now that is a sobering thought.

You continue to love being outside – you love riding your bike, your electric dirt bike, and you are currently enthralled with building a fort by the creek in the woods with your brother. You give me lots of reasons to do laundry frequently, but I don’t mind. I love your sense for adventure and love of the outdoors.

You love to run. When we discovered that, we gave you some other sport options, and you have really enjoyed a season of flag football. You are fast, and you love, weaving in and out, and you’ve even scored a few touchdowns. Great job, buddy!

You’re a great eater with cheese being at the top of your list. You have lost several teeth this year, and you’ve had a few removed due to your permanent teeth coming in too far behind where they should be. You were a champ in the dental chair when they performed this. You and I are both missing our front teeth, but you are much cuter than me without them. A toothless 42 year old isn’t nearly as endearing as an 8 year old.

You love school most days because you really love your teacher, Mrs. Layne, and you love your friends. Three of them came over after school on your birthday for games, food and fun. I didn’t know 4 second graders could produce so much noise! Science and math continue to be your favorite subjects. Writing still feels like punishment, but you easily get lost in a book when I find the right one.

We love you so much, and we are so proud of you. You keep us all youthful and remind us to notice the cloud shapes and the good climbing trees as we drive down the road. This is a gift. YOU are a gift.

Love, 

Momma

Twenty-One and Full of Fun

Dearest Leila,

Well, officially you have now been a part of our family for half of your life. Can you believe it? That 43 pound 10.5 year old we brought home has now become a beautiful young lady with dreams, a strong faith, and a community of people who love and support her. Wow! Look what the Lord has done. Look at how all of your hard work and persistence has paid off. Your time in the orphanage made you a survivor - scrappy, some might say! if you don't know how to do something, you're not afraid to ask - you're a great advocate for yourself. 

You are in your senior year and enjoying all the special moments that come with that - celebrating the last first day of school, senior sunrise and all the prep that comes with graduation. You are in your second year of culinary school at the Hanover Trade School, and you regularly bring home delicious baked goods and other food you've made. You're helping me by cooking a meal when I have a busy work day/evening. Of course, your go-to meal includes rice, which is still your favorite thing to eat. 

Your focus this past 3-4 months has been securing a job, so that you can gain some work experience and some much-needed cash for all the fun things you want to be doing as a young adult. Today you have an interview with American Family Fitness, and we're hoping that will turn into an opportunity!

You love to serve at church with the little ones and the kids. You're a part of the worship team in our kids services, and you sing with the worship team for youth group. You are a true worshipper and seeing your love for Jesus fills my heart. You are devoted to reading the Bible and prayer, and every year I see your relationship with Jesus grow. I'm so thankful. 

While your timeline has been different than we all thought it might be, I know with your hard work and the Lord leading you, you will get to reach your dreams of becoming a missionary and living with purpose. We are excited to see how it unfolds, and we'll be cheering you on every step of the way. 

Love you,

Momma