tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212195732024-03-12T23:40:43.237-05:00The Simple and Sacred EverydayStriving to live as simply as possible so that we can enjoy the sacred blessings of every single day.Miz Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334494599805008376noreply@blogger.comBlogger830125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219573.post-42956634281036237182023-12-17T08:00:00.001-06:002023-12-17T13:34:27.182-06:00Happy 11th Birthday, Hunter!<p> <br />Dear Hunter,</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Today you are 11 years old!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’re another year older and what a year it has been!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s so fun to celebrate you; all that you
are and all that you have accomplished.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFODsapEDMtfkf5WRqpyaXx5JAJvG2JTjal5KF2pUZ0HlHqxTkDRat9qtCiGsZy1HJQvm_WZJTcNERoGVJLgqCOG3BEyN77HAxJp9fJWY57RKYqy8GV34_ROUA0mzBrZPCr4IYFW5ySLFL_lnakjmEWcJqwUZ58DZI7SMgsQCIEkX7CP1-owN/s5120/Hunter%2011-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="3414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFODsapEDMtfkf5WRqpyaXx5JAJvG2JTjal5KF2pUZ0HlHqxTkDRat9qtCiGsZy1HJQvm_WZJTcNERoGVJLgqCOG3BEyN77HAxJp9fJWY57RKYqy8GV34_ROUA0mzBrZPCr4IYFW5ySLFL_lnakjmEWcJqwUZ58DZI7SMgsQCIEkX7CP1-owN/s320/Hunter%2011-002.jpg" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">You are one smart cookie.
It's not just that you get good grades, but also just the way you live
that we can see you have a good head on your shoulders. I appreciate the solid effort that you put
into your schoolwork. It isn’t always
fun to practice spelling words at home or to study for tests, but you do it and
it pays off. You also seem to retain
information really well. It’s far from
unusual to have you tell me some random piece of information full of details
that I would never remember.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ39it3nEMAQD_MAE72kCjtdJ8DOTMJ74lxF73watpFg0ScNVimlrDLtvqsIFx1FUREpgRGK7TvZVF1etr33l8DophNXD5dis0dJug9t_d6dLdxONWPj2MebPVOjXTo6KkCNafR4tKJpEAPqzCGgwzmbYc9J2xkKfpykUmzCEkQJ6I2ppgSXAD/s1920/thumbnail_IMG_8334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ39it3nEMAQD_MAE72kCjtdJ8DOTMJ74lxF73watpFg0ScNVimlrDLtvqsIFx1FUREpgRGK7TvZVF1etr33l8DophNXD5dis0dJug9t_d6dLdxONWPj2MebPVOjXTo6KkCNafR4tKJpEAPqzCGgwzmbYc9J2xkKfpykUmzCEkQJ6I2ppgSXAD/s320/thumbnail_IMG_8334.jpg" width="240" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You love lots of things, but near the top of that list is
coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t tell you how many times
you have “stolen” my church coffee!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
I can let it go because on any given day, I can find you in the kitchen brewing
up a pot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love to get a bit extra
with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve been “stealing” coffee
from me since you were two years old so I’m not too surprised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its fun to share this coffee-love with
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a good time going to coffee
shops and trying different drinks.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTvUEMd3vz4v28CSax4jJ9k-gnIocqtxoeuhEH2IqiYomz4hFDGjn9Np-jJBd2ZuBctleTAlJSEole-kuM0An4IuqUvuWk1tL6x4n54lcExh81g4Ad5EF4JgkR4ZiglO0HT-v8NXraOavFcy-egWPbzkJQkpTCye8aktm3513ydVMCUb3D-pZ/s1920/thumbnail_IMG_8604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTvUEMd3vz4v28CSax4jJ9k-gnIocqtxoeuhEH2IqiYomz4hFDGjn9Np-jJBd2ZuBctleTAlJSEole-kuM0An4IuqUvuWk1tL6x4n54lcExh81g4Ad5EF4JgkR4ZiglO0HT-v8NXraOavFcy-egWPbzkJQkpTCye8aktm3513ydVMCUb3D-pZ/s320/thumbnail_IMG_8604.jpg" width="240" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You are our ultra-competitive child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether it be a board game or a sporting
event or a video game – you are always in it to win it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes that’s really tough for you –
because no one can win every single thing every single time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you are learning to balance those
feelings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m proud of the progress
I see in you.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSobpFhvPhP461IULDXb2dNgMNwa3ttrjwiQcpbtqaTOLeaf-HIRcoR4Zcfo_FurZf9l0rQTd17LZC4U7140WyPCquPT5FHYxRs_T99SrjfOgZvJhyphenhyphen_eqegFrFnYrokWI_6BtQh8twcNtq3E4MTS1QxX15EQaYZVDm7n1cN8R4YezhwOTXE2Y/s2016/thumbnail_IMG_6281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSobpFhvPhP461IULDXb2dNgMNwa3ttrjwiQcpbtqaTOLeaf-HIRcoR4Zcfo_FurZf9l0rQTd17LZC4U7140WyPCquPT5FHYxRs_T99SrjfOgZvJhyphenhyphen_eqegFrFnYrokWI_6BtQh8twcNtq3E4MTS1QxX15EQaYZVDm7n1cN8R4YezhwOTXE2Y/s320/thumbnail_IMG_6281.jpg" width="240" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Speaking of sports, there are two that you love more than
all others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baseball and
basketball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This summer you had the time
of your life playing baseball with your travel team (Pella Sting).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your favorite thing is to put on those black
and yellow uniforms and go out and play a game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You are an expert outfielder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
the ball can be caught, you will catch it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No one worries when a hit comes your way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have this great anticipation – like you
know where that ball is going to go before they even hit it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you’re very fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When your team won the State championship
this summer I didn’t know if you would ever stop smiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You also love basketball and are an
especially gifted left-handed shooter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You love to make 3-pointers and you’re good at it.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrG6ruRkXD4PbAgBDAo4ONof-VHFtmUCc3qNJgQqo861WzuDUK8SU1408i17x6umaTdn_bipoXdQYkpjVvvydWHPnk84qfZLo8QNELhgz9kCv3XCfc0bMO_o26xyqrHYSrWwtmqIe1K84oozBj1Byz6-cBQvQol9BAScFXVblCeZ6tMAFCh-Y/s5120/Hunter%2011-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3413" data-original-width="5120" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrG6ruRkXD4PbAgBDAo4ONof-VHFtmUCc3qNJgQqo861WzuDUK8SU1408i17x6umaTdn_bipoXdQYkpjVvvydWHPnk84qfZLo8QNELhgz9kCv3XCfc0bMO_o26xyqrHYSrWwtmqIe1K84oozBj1Byz6-cBQvQol9BAScFXVblCeZ6tMAFCh-Y/s320/Hunter%2011-001.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This summer we took a trip to Oahu, Hawaii.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We visited Pearl Harbor together and toured
the U.S.S. Missouri which is docked there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You were absolutely fascinated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That was when your obsession with all things military began.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has led to you studying and learning
about all kinds of aircraft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can go
into all kinds of specs on various planes – some military and some not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its fun to hear you so fully invest your
spare time in learning about aviation.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyBleg33tQvQOXQkMPtbh2shZAkZcbA463fvXgFWOgq5oVag3mrfn6dogYrQZdPuIbB7RG8fEQZYqTuorsKdouw_kxyf2LKn7eidRJQMkwyGdmDEECadBvolfSvAMrcbIXJxkzt92mppPrDofadg2PzENRRW2o02f0s9dszxHSu4f8bDjgnNM/s5120/Hunter%2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="3414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyBleg33tQvQOXQkMPtbh2shZAkZcbA463fvXgFWOgq5oVag3mrfn6dogYrQZdPuIbB7RG8fEQZYqTuorsKdouw_kxyf2LKn7eidRJQMkwyGdmDEECadBvolfSvAMrcbIXJxkzt92mppPrDofadg2PzENRRW2o02f0s9dszxHSu4f8bDjgnNM/s320/Hunter%2011.jpg" width="213" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Of course, you also still love farming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your favorite place on earth is your
Grandma’s farm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s not a lot of
“farming” to do there anymore, but you remember your Grandpa there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love to just walk around and look in the
workshop and see what random pieces you can find scattered throughout the
buildings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took a trip this past
February to another family farm where you got to ride on Grandpa’s favorite
tractor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we got in the car to come
home you asked the same question you ask when we leave Grandma’s farm, “When
are we coming back?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being on a farm, in
a workshop, outside, is your favorite thing in the whole world.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEM58fYzINa06VoXnA20evikvB-YJ8dVrm6aAixoL9ioJh7C5NdNwWstmdXMl0WN7E1ZooDSX-H5fOQHhQRPIhWItXPTdqjjmqtfkQUq2c51zqnYrZjYGkof6no0gDWw0Te8bvhcWfWqWEWK-PfiqGrUCdznsWbhcoegW0vGV_uggeB7BjUnE/s5120/Hunter%2011-004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3413" data-original-width="5120" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEM58fYzINa06VoXnA20evikvB-YJ8dVrm6aAixoL9ioJh7C5NdNwWstmdXMl0WN7E1ZooDSX-H5fOQHhQRPIhWItXPTdqjjmqtfkQUq2c51zqnYrZjYGkof6no0gDWw0Te8bvhcWfWqWEWK-PfiqGrUCdznsWbhcoegW0vGV_uggeB7BjUnE/s320/Hunter%2011-004.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTD8zlMYvPEbI8fnNfWtInM-Xy3_L0xTWlGxVAVSclbqHq9fUOnUB4m4m1pA1phF0PoqQneeSk-KfWjA72cLZkA4aRDPjNszGfvXjiw9O15BkpSB5xgaLGFF_Xm-j0hjJ-UqxqOkmSRsmlNhzvMpfvy7BzObC53u66FrZ76yzV6CJZLeKa7xX8/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_6627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTD8zlMYvPEbI8fnNfWtInM-Xy3_L0xTWlGxVAVSclbqHq9fUOnUB4m4m1pA1phF0PoqQneeSk-KfWjA72cLZkA4aRDPjNszGfvXjiw9O15BkpSB5xgaLGFF_Xm-j0hjJ-UqxqOkmSRsmlNhzvMpfvy7BzObC53u66FrZ76yzV6CJZLeKa7xX8/s320/thumbnail_IMG_6627.jpg" width="240" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have this great ability to read out loud with such rich
expression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are a great reader in
general.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But something special happens
when you are asked to read aloud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
know, without any coaching, just how to inflect your voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes you a bit of a master
storyteller.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which is fun because we
hear a lot of stories from you!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQuSJkBRfmBGu5kkJWi5z3OJAWVCrD2KPg-vyZIYlJQul5FeY3jU0tPx2R44TV4ulEfCaUSyws7OgyAQdkszwKS5EM6oJt7riZSCb-8Q8acp4Jwykcqh2I_E-uv-XXbsWywVr3J1pI0UIDUncSpoGxYqETI6awVutZ4i44Aoh2KBxpNcmPOru/s2016/thumbnail_IMG_6900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQuSJkBRfmBGu5kkJWi5z3OJAWVCrD2KPg-vyZIYlJQul5FeY3jU0tPx2R44TV4ulEfCaUSyws7OgyAQdkszwKS5EM6oJt7riZSCb-8Q8acp4Jwykcqh2I_E-uv-XXbsWywVr3J1pI0UIDUncSpoGxYqETI6awVutZ4i44Aoh2KBxpNcmPOru/s320/thumbnail_IMG_6900.jpg" width="240" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You love pigs, tigers and hamsters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love graphic novels and Legos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love shooting on your mini basketball
hoop and throwing a football around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
love energy drinks, hot chocolate and mochas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You love burgers and roasted potatoes and donuts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love your sisters even though one of them
kisses your ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are one really neat
11-year-old boy.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfBXK9f1570HqqOet5_sVDmwgbF01nuVp4SCaqpXZPIkEZ6FAhzQjnlA3hG8VJvJCue9FsVs_SGhqrK-COoEK4IuROAWwqjbl6hrJfXqU1E5hQCYtZzCuhFycd7f4m6ZcHHQ8b47CEZZMiKVwh_VyHpJGV5W6FuU2aeIk-utyFrZ-4YH3fMxX/s5120/Hunter%2011-003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3413" data-original-width="5120" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfBXK9f1570HqqOet5_sVDmwgbF01nuVp4SCaqpXZPIkEZ6FAhzQjnlA3hG8VJvJCue9FsVs_SGhqrK-COoEK4IuROAWwqjbl6hrJfXqU1E5hQCYtZzCuhFycd7f4m6ZcHHQ8b47CEZZMiKVwh_VyHpJGV5W6FuU2aeIk-utyFrZ-4YH3fMxX/s320/Hunter%2011-003.jpg" width="320" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You care about doing the right thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t always make perfect choices, but I
have seen you apologize and change course all on our own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You want to do well at everything you
do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You enjoy going to church and being
with your church family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You live in a
house where every single person is older than you, and I know you are watching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4kjf0ESKw6JULOAwHJkGxNzV3V7gN6E716GVk-rtqStB_0omyFalic5vu8D2r5uCr4l5uYgK0bU17kl1wRKgkUMU0952zDzZQNgJaGHLPF-zP2y3t5_zw6FcLvjAOtMHZQ_GiXcd7DgbRDyOFZrpNzwNbq0jJ8IKSLKvfDVrFjb_TyWShKNG/s2016/thumbnail_IMG_6928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4kjf0ESKw6JULOAwHJkGxNzV3V7gN6E716GVk-rtqStB_0omyFalic5vu8D2r5uCr4l5uYgK0bU17kl1wRKgkUMU0952zDzZQNgJaGHLPF-zP2y3t5_zw6FcLvjAOtMHZQ_GiXcd7DgbRDyOFZrpNzwNbq0jJ8IKSLKvfDVrFjb_TyWShKNG/s320/thumbnail_IMG_6928.jpg" width="240" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You’re a great kid, Hunter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I honestly enjoy spending time with you and listening to you talk about
school, airplanes, or farming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love
the way you treasure memories and bring them up to just talk about them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the way you laugh when you are teasing
your Dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the look on your face
when you are farming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the way I
can see God shaping you, molding you and guiding you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireVAA6fSeNh-Q8jvw5wecj2n1IYlhGjiQcCaCe3AednRX1rVKaOHYHdydWK615sLRebN1aZPObJ03aanT8QcncWalPsvmxzNDWylDqbRfwfCrLb1qlw3nHdml-Yjgtwlo4HyNKDBkoM5IsyOfiGWMBtr-uzdZgpf9hQVtNqr3u8WN-W1CP-rY/s2016/thumbnail_IMG_7415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireVAA6fSeNh-Q8jvw5wecj2n1IYlhGjiQcCaCe3AednRX1rVKaOHYHdydWK615sLRebN1aZPObJ03aanT8QcncWalPsvmxzNDWylDqbRfwfCrLb1qlw3nHdml-Yjgtwlo4HyNKDBkoM5IsyOfiGWMBtr-uzdZgpf9hQVtNqr3u8WN-W1CP-rY/s320/thumbnail_IMG_7415.jpg" width="240" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You’re a whole lot of fun and I’m so very glad that I have
had 11 whole years with you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a gift!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I love you, Buddy!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Love,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">~Mom<o:p></o:p></p>Miz Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334494599805008376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219573.post-46644969441493206292023-11-22T09:03:00.000-06:002023-11-22T09:03:41.298-06:00Happy 17th Birthday, Reagan!<p> Dear Reagan,</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Today, unbelievably, you are seventeen years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seventeen years ago, they handed me your body
and I finally cradled a child for which I had beseeched God for years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stared down at that squished face and
couldn’t believe you were here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The year
you were born, your birthday fell on the day before Thanksgiving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That first year as Thanksgiving morning
dawned, I sat in a hospital room struggling to get my pain under control after
a 27-hour labor and a c-section delivery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just you and I in the room, I held you against me and all that my
overflowing heart would let me squeak out was a “Thank you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through the haze of pain, I knew God had given me an incredible gift. I didn’t know, of course, what kind of person you would turn out to be. I could have never imagined or dreamed of the awesome woman you would grow into. But this year, this matching scenario of a birthday the day before Thanksgiving, it is impossible not to be grateful all over again for the gift of you. I think I can squeak out a few more words now.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfNBiVBpPGD91fRTEclvsGV4RwbmjPq6HsU0dv6VUD0A8pId4Ou41d_Hr9hrQeAQmpgQQolVyBNcZ77j02SqWioiWJfxJBukIbaz0J9xsoBOrCYciJiOf0Ddno9RfqX7ZDzWQiw5v1g_qoBKgpc0vqZ_H_7RbNKMmIKLPow_mH9yjNJKeRDdi/s1920/thumbnail_IMG_7837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfNBiVBpPGD91fRTEclvsGV4RwbmjPq6HsU0dv6VUD0A8pId4Ou41d_Hr9hrQeAQmpgQQolVyBNcZ77j02SqWioiWJfxJBukIbaz0J9xsoBOrCYciJiOf0Ddno9RfqX7ZDzWQiw5v1g_qoBKgpc0vqZ_H_7RbNKMmIKLPow_mH9yjNJKeRDdi/s320/thumbnail_IMG_7837.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyD8_uc805oEzHZbSYj0q0FSlyUml3k9PlO9ln-SoWjEtoAK_bomBmdHy5RICxHubPfUTpVTd21zkYaaB2UQZjNPD-p41GwT09Hgq0xK2d4bMarOOCEld_5_oA4LvHkn9KpgHwQqLipXWTbIsDPGSklK4shpURPTIJUOek39j8KD56csAYxesf/s5120/Reagan%20173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="3414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyD8_uc805oEzHZbSYj0q0FSlyUml3k9PlO9ln-SoWjEtoAK_bomBmdHy5RICxHubPfUTpVTd21zkYaaB2UQZjNPD-p41GwT09Hgq0xK2d4bMarOOCEld_5_oA4LvHkn9KpgHwQqLipXWTbIsDPGSklK4shpURPTIJUOek39j8KD56csAYxesf/s320/Reagan%20173.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I am so thankful for the wise girl that you are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are in hard classes as a junior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know things I could never
understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Precalculus for
example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we go to parent teacher
conferences and your precalc teacher tells us what a brilliant young woman you
are I have to pinch myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very early
on in your school career you had a year where you were struggling in math.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tutored you through basic math facts and
that’s all it took for you to take on math classes with confidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You bring home very good grades because you desire
to do well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You put in the time and the
effort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You apply yourself to your
schoolwork.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You set goals and achieve
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You spend the time it takes to get
the results you want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are far
smarter than your parents (in most ways). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perfection is not a good goal, but excellence
is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Push for excellence but leave
perfection out of the picture and you will not be disappointed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58YBFhxcSZm-c0tfM5OKtW3ra419ee6AhjxVaR3Iu_zuLAQpAiYRjJDY3LbsaPUcWjwsHbNclM0yphl0KITKeXBxi9oGvyurAFsn7Rlbpk2AaWLA3_faDhxe3SAwahcw_SjQm2R0PORIIuH8iDAfDaHsLFEIwTLH9quc8re7asYt2uwuI-Px4/s1823/thumbnail_IMG_7877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1823" data-original-width="1178" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58YBFhxcSZm-c0tfM5OKtW3ra419ee6AhjxVaR3Iu_zuLAQpAiYRjJDY3LbsaPUcWjwsHbNclM0yphl0KITKeXBxi9oGvyurAFsn7Rlbpk2AaWLA3_faDhxe3SAwahcw_SjQm2R0PORIIuH8iDAfDaHsLFEIwTLH9quc8re7asYt2uwuI-Px4/s320/thumbnail_IMG_7877.jpg" width="207" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am so thankful for the hard worker that you are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few years ago, you started working at
Jaarsma Bakery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You honestly enjoy
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You pick up open shifts when it
works for you because you like helping them out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ve given you some new opportunities
lately and you’ve taken them on willingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You don’t complain about work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
imagine that everyone there breathes a sigh of relief when you walk in the door
for a shift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love that you have
developed your own descriptions of every item in the case, that you have a ready
spiel of “recommendations” to give to customers who so often ask you what your
favorite is, and that you are part tourist guide for your out-of-town customers
who want to know the best place to grab lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You take responsibility for your work, and it shows.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFA3CY3gMogH0PNbsqwCfo8qIR41WXGig_2T71V29anlSHQ03zmevsGACkc2NDLTLudnYwkcP2TJ7TQ44oj00iF02fespDwPuy_6EBrLgFZGmuHt95CRvoDN16HdBBAT7tJaoftpV2r-aDft8gKt1FAimtKfVE9iylSCWtd4sxF1HWs3BAkvfO/s5120/Reagan%20176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="3414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFA3CY3gMogH0PNbsqwCfo8qIR41WXGig_2T71V29anlSHQ03zmevsGACkc2NDLTLudnYwkcP2TJ7TQ44oj00iF02fespDwPuy_6EBrLgFZGmuHt95CRvoDN16HdBBAT7tJaoftpV2r-aDft8gKt1FAimtKfVE9iylSCWtd4sxF1HWs3BAkvfO/s320/Reagan%20176.jpg" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I am so thankful for the sister that you are to your
siblings. Even though you and Maddie
reportedly look alike, you are very different personalities. Even so, the two of you compliment each other
well. Her silliness helps you lighten up
at times when you are taking things too seriously. The two of you have fallen head over heels
for Taylor Swift and that’s pretty much all I hear music-wise coming from your
basement bedrooms. Sometimes you try to
mother Maddie in a way she does not initially appreciate. I know that comes from a place of genuine
care for her. You have grown in your
understanding that she is not you, she will not choose the same clothing or
hair or makeup you choose, and that she is making her own way through the
world. And yet, you love that girl a
whole lot. Watching you help her with
her geometry homework was the highlight of my week. You sat there with her pencil in your hand
asking her about angles and formulas all while she answered in goofy voices and
took silly videos of you. Her giggles combined
with your exasperated voice saying, “Maddie!” has been a chorus in our home for
years and I absolutely love it. You
adore your brother and though he loves you big right back, he most often shakes
off your hugs because he is almost 11 and that it is not cool to get squeezed
by surprise. The two of you bond the
most over random iPhone/iPad games which seem un-entertaining to me, but you
could play for HOURS. You are a big,
important part of that boy’s life. I’m
glad he has you for an older sibling and a good example and a lifelong friend.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2oUL8xL_-_YvMKRQaNE1CXJ6DjZx9ODIioBRp7OaMTgY3jRhljSQa24P0mAr-p3_1BBI2YyqHUyWQy2DUENWx-qDJPucRGJ2lIgrIXB-5yjAN2IxLdTl28w6i7SDadnDr8fXct0515Z6N_PSrRWK3DYJdmwpS1PXkd1lcmYOvtfBH-qg0f_2/s5120/Reagan%2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="3414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2oUL8xL_-_YvMKRQaNE1CXJ6DjZx9ODIioBRp7OaMTgY3jRhljSQa24P0mAr-p3_1BBI2YyqHUyWQy2DUENWx-qDJPucRGJ2lIgrIXB-5yjAN2IxLdTl28w6i7SDadnDr8fXct0515Z6N_PSrRWK3DYJdmwpS1PXkd1lcmYOvtfBH-qg0f_2/s320/Reagan%2017.jpg" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4GecL9MMKh3B20cQZi0uxzxvrU04F6_A9tUOpbDgC3poRONwS39mZ5wrOq_mwgnYA9Hdm4wiv3X-coTD-QBtwW7Dn_k2XKL8hhh06rZEVsLTwSFmMdCqziYMYmmmZY_eJSreYqwz8bo8Q_gmqpeq-g9YELhHa2L9FVW9Z4BywfrtZklal5IO/s5120/Reagan%20172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="3414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4GecL9MMKh3B20cQZi0uxzxvrU04F6_A9tUOpbDgC3poRONwS39mZ5wrOq_mwgnYA9Hdm4wiv3X-coTD-QBtwW7Dn_k2XKL8hhh06rZEVsLTwSFmMdCqziYMYmmmZY_eJSreYqwz8bo8Q_gmqpeq-g9YELhHa2L9FVW9Z4BywfrtZklal5IO/s320/Reagan%20172.jpg" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HQxaQks1SmsCHV-vrLhZ5VcZlsRb8pHiomHKBIMEnywz68KtlAo3nTQgIer5xOGQF9gqcnlR0PiWUWl87gwx6ZS4cTxQJ1sTZYlKJwwb7SRZ-ENcp-AtPRhqyBpPABtgjtDD956PifRuUI4z4-u97aYLvVgDpYRZuxE9zzl5q2cWIettMesp/s5120/Reagan%20171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="3414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HQxaQks1SmsCHV-vrLhZ5VcZlsRb8pHiomHKBIMEnywz68KtlAo3nTQgIer5xOGQF9gqcnlR0PiWUWl87gwx6ZS4cTxQJ1sTZYlKJwwb7SRZ-ENcp-AtPRhqyBpPABtgjtDD956PifRuUI4z4-u97aYLvVgDpYRZuxE9zzl5q2cWIettMesp/s320/Reagan%20171.jpg" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am so thankful for the athlete that you have become on the
tennis court.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you were young, we
sort of mistakenly thought you weren’t an athlete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t remember when we first put that
tennis racket in your hands but boy, am I glad we did!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are so cool and calm and collected in
tennis matches while your dad and I are on absolute pins and needles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have worked so hard to develop your game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much of your summer was spent on the courts
(when you weren’t in the bakery).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hot as
it was, you took Hunter out there and you would hit and hit and hit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are your own worst critic and it’s tough
to win the mental battle in those tough matches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You play with such poise and integrity, and
you put in the time in the off-season so that you can be the player your team
needs you to be when it counts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSETx2UNuAu3_lNVJjd1865RrjbBcGeN1jcH8k2vjYmqVpZoTHj4H_oSkUd0Pgz-3yzNGivCg3X7DZ9U5k6jc_JHxuYnHh2EU_4TJPr4-tjpJJnKMRCpVFpGqk_7JsaMIIHCKyMjz1YZUlMyYOs8VB0sGWh2MxUu9I3N1E9Jhon9pLLYfYiMf/s1920/thumbnail_IMG_7779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSETx2UNuAu3_lNVJjd1865RrjbBcGeN1jcH8k2vjYmqVpZoTHj4H_oSkUd0Pgz-3yzNGivCg3X7DZ9U5k6jc_JHxuYnHh2EU_4TJPr4-tjpJJnKMRCpVFpGqk_7JsaMIIHCKyMjz1YZUlMyYOs8VB0sGWh2MxUu9I3N1E9Jhon9pLLYfYiMf/s320/thumbnail_IMG_7779.jpg" width="240" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbF1rlejzK6_x2qu7Hior4eqPTlfRAFJdOhTVpK0NG_pgt6n37EwKT6Ta6s90U1swQrHtMMwE1rdMFU-A7LsN_71mlU4z3nUTEVwRX6WxtJ0XP6AjPCgUZN2mMB0QIjJTt4NkJgcL93Uxm19jyHjBj01W5w7omOnHSUzcKdP6ukGtdPbbY2Qw/s5120/Reagan%20177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3413" data-original-width="5120" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbF1rlejzK6_x2qu7Hior4eqPTlfRAFJdOhTVpK0NG_pgt6n37EwKT6Ta6s90U1swQrHtMMwE1rdMFU-A7LsN_71mlU4z3nUTEVwRX6WxtJ0XP6AjPCgUZN2mMB0QIjJTt4NkJgcL93Uxm19jyHjBj01W5w7omOnHSUzcKdP6ukGtdPbbY2Qw/s320/Reagan%20177.jpg" width="320" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am so thankful for the pianist you are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s this one that amazes me most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You walk in the door from school or work or
church and the first place you sit is at your piano.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes you sit there and work out a piece
of music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But most often you sit down
and just start playing without a note or a book in sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You just play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe it’s a song we sang in church that
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe it’s a song you heard on the
radio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe it’s a song you made up
entirely on your own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t understand
it at all, but you just sit down and there it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s like whatever thoughts or emotions have
built up inside you just come spilling out in this avalanche of beautiful music
pouring out into our home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You always shrug
when I tell you how amazing your talents are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just because there are people in the world who might be better than you
doesn’t make your gifts any less wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That you can write and arrange piano pieces so effortlessly is an
amazing talent and one that will richly bless the people in your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t shrug it off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Smile and be thankful that people enjoy
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphenlvEv0BB0vrSBkCE0Gr5zOQ0SmmrrzzkOGHNeG9KOkDynLAmarBd3gvlLM9nPmybcJXielxtpKQvFAo6CektDDCp_W2KSeqDPgDyaFVRBy-MZ4M-U_gaxkC_3R47nfeMZXThBNXu6FJogiLSxQXqnhWIkHwQWdLaAI3wX-nZ6x9hyGyViVN3/s5120/Reagan%20178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3413" data-original-width="5120" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphenlvEv0BB0vrSBkCE0Gr5zOQ0SmmrrzzkOGHNeG9KOkDynLAmarBd3gvlLM9nPmybcJXielxtpKQvFAo6CektDDCp_W2KSeqDPgDyaFVRBy-MZ4M-U_gaxkC_3R47nfeMZXThBNXu6FJogiLSxQXqnhWIkHwQWdLaAI3wX-nZ6x9hyGyViVN3/s320/Reagan%20178.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I am so thankful for the talent trumpet player that you are. Every year you get better and better. Especially lately you have been working on
pieces of music that make your dad and I just shake our heads. They sound impossible. Yet there you are, teaching them to yourself
many times by looking up professional performances on YouTube so that you can hear
it and mimic it. You had an amazing year
of success on trumpet as a 16-year-old/sophomore. There were so many moments where we were just
so thrilled by an honor you received, an award you had won, or an achievement
you had made. Your confidence is
growing. You handle the pressure of so
many auditions so well now. You put in
the time preparing pieces for competitions, auditions, and performances. It might be what people know you for the
best. And it is a great part of you
worth celebrating. But there’s much more
to you.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqB3kBRd2q8imlaYtdROfgafZaOKdZ1HMxfsgp6Pp9ThUYmFsE-lI6tOIEEKDfvDAO6ffs1M2Fm3IWvT19bpjJj2kM-AZRQyY1jeMJFzAqKp4O9UYrlye579_E5Yspq2Len8sFl56BBSL3W19rpyhZObXNbmzabTAs_eFMmBQI0207kHf6F6lu/s5120/Reagan%20175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="3414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqB3kBRd2q8imlaYtdROfgafZaOKdZ1HMxfsgp6Pp9ThUYmFsE-lI6tOIEEKDfvDAO6ffs1M2Fm3IWvT19bpjJj2kM-AZRQyY1jeMJFzAqKp4O9UYrlye579_E5Yspq2Len8sFl56BBSL3W19rpyhZObXNbmzabTAs_eFMmBQI0207kHf6F6lu/s320/Reagan%20175.jpg" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHQB4mlJMZ5ULMWR5uzdLRMtGNYw0DrxI_7L-F4jFENrM-2Rbag73BAWHWTtT3bWm3fE0wYo6mH4jgsu40w98ET1cn4xuSaJ1wnD4G3ymIynOLBm3XWOx0xgAB_1rp2PnueLnLtqx69FqdyS8CrEwAybcs-Rb2JkYyGBw0uTkARqdFQq_A0Pz/s5120/Reagan%20174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="3414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHQB4mlJMZ5ULMWR5uzdLRMtGNYw0DrxI_7L-F4jFENrM-2Rbag73BAWHWTtT3bWm3fE0wYo6mH4jgsu40w98ET1cn4xuSaJ1wnD4G3ymIynOLBm3XWOx0xgAB_1rp2PnueLnLtqx69FqdyS8CrEwAybcs-Rb2JkYyGBw0uTkARqdFQq_A0Pz/s320/Reagan%20174.jpg" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I am so thankful for the quiet, thoughtful girl that you
are. You are patient beyond my
understanding. You are truth-seeking and
studious and attentive about your faith.
You are determined and yet balanced.
You aren’t perfect (ie: you’ve
lost your phone a lot) but you are awesome. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLgNu-5Uf9VpUN96MuPWaeoN4wEqOWsW99U4N39KuMQCt75s5_3D7alXYw07VcQC2T51aeIz4OpOA5u8hXZcr-SMuMp28R7aYwacNQ9BgDxgTMhKOLwHuAZ52zU4fSJ8qLxyyOn403S_6c585QMFPSgowVKMZ2x530MJQiZDcbrggEzLBcmib/s2016/thumbnail_IMG_7833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLgNu-5Uf9VpUN96MuPWaeoN4wEqOWsW99U4N39KuMQCt75s5_3D7alXYw07VcQC2T51aeIz4OpOA5u8hXZcr-SMuMp28R7aYwacNQ9BgDxgTMhKOLwHuAZ52zU4fSJ8qLxyyOn403S_6c585QMFPSgowVKMZ2x530MJQiZDcbrggEzLBcmib/s320/thumbnail_IMG_7833.jpg" width="240" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I always thought I would have to “find a way to survive” the
teen years of my children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing could
have been more wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have LOVED your
teen years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel oddly guilty writing
these letters sometimes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that
other parents have a harder time with their teens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why God gave me you, such an amazing young
woman, I just cannot understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know
I played a part in who you are, but it feels small. God created you to be just
exactly who you are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You step into that
more fully every year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s incredible
to watch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A gift as incredible as you
isn’t something I could have earned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God
specializes in giving good things that we don’t deserve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are a daily reminder of that to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOHTn3XDCYIwQKDGAWks4cps1ViXDYR2VbD4rEXvj542NEkj1ZM13K6dwIoMGc3Ho5c3Doaw8a5Lk_HB4GSvLVwyv6ChZULg-Gs17slKsS0ZanQx269haRtPlHRgrNmK5ahAyRpDX-1Ui98_lMi_rXiy2jbBQi31Xbtx1oSYwo6thrneJmSEV/s2016/thumbnail_IMG_7319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOHTn3XDCYIwQKDGAWks4cps1ViXDYR2VbD4rEXvj542NEkj1ZM13K6dwIoMGc3Ho5c3Doaw8a5Lk_HB4GSvLVwyv6ChZULg-Gs17slKsS0ZanQx269haRtPlHRgrNmK5ahAyRpDX-1Ui98_lMi_rXiy2jbBQi31Xbtx1oSYwo6thrneJmSEV/s320/thumbnail_IMG_7319.jpg" width="240" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It’s fun to be your mom and see you become more than I ever
could have dreamed seventeen years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
so grateful for all that you have been, all that you are, and all that you will
be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I love you, Reagan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Love,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mom <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Miz Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334494599805008376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219573.post-68138031733589977112023-05-13T07:30:00.116-05:002023-05-13T17:14:25.020-05:00Happy 14th Birthday, Maddie!<p> Dear Maddie,</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Today you are 14 years old. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I look back at this past year with you, I
see so much good to celebrate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
an incredible year you have had!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVFYaeoQQ1VEkRysgcjDpPTkuOjAebhyMbgEFqnbVNCn5vBAJeTt4XxOxaZPGlIFme56LdEwTlyjfwkSmpqiKJCpMcb4fKekBuUHPgJIUuVFGP69tdnG0Is3IPAPmkENLKu20sbCOtMDFw_O4lK_nPvmL4xFjccPQku0zRpAew3jFu-tAhA/s6000/DSC04752.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVFYaeoQQ1VEkRysgcjDpPTkuOjAebhyMbgEFqnbVNCn5vBAJeTt4XxOxaZPGlIFme56LdEwTlyjfwkSmpqiKJCpMcb4fKekBuUHPgJIUuVFGP69tdnG0Is3IPAPmkENLKu20sbCOtMDFw_O4lK_nPvmL4xFjccPQku0zRpAew3jFu-tAhA/s320/DSC04752.JPG" width="213" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I should not be surprised that the same girl who came home
from preschool and wanted to put on lip gloss grew into an 8<sup>th</sup>
grader who loves makeup, fashion, and creating “looks”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are the resident fashion expert in this
house. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m never sure what you are going
to end up wearing each day, but it’s always something cute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You frequently compliment your own family
members on their outfits, and it always puts a smile on my face.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePQoEfB5i2Pch0YwcNdM3C-BE-audCDuaH9btQfpsGD6GH9g6UiqKLwEK6bYLXN0KQzh-7D6ZjsVeVxw7RR8gHF5Vxo-nbe8qOcGCnO8nyhlRmKerqGOSashSvtNbY424DemuSqT44b5xKO0ULwc1THql-F2B_10ngS6fL4ZW_HUbpMsoRw/s640/thumbnail_IMG_6866.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePQoEfB5i2Pch0YwcNdM3C-BE-audCDuaH9btQfpsGD6GH9g6UiqKLwEK6bYLXN0KQzh-7D6ZjsVeVxw7RR8gHF5Vxo-nbe8qOcGCnO8nyhlRmKerqGOSashSvtNbY424DemuSqT44b5xKO0ULwc1THql-F2B_10ngS6fL4ZW_HUbpMsoRw/s320/thumbnail_IMG_6866.jpg" width="241" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5nX7ESAtE-ntkseM-hBz3BJ3hPq-CybsSuuiJgsSdW8sSnJun2O6N00Itw8fBOayLVc0SViIKe5P63w5389veQJpvi22vBoNlldsNhLKtgSdxE04uql4DLMX5eITKkRxOgr_pYneDcAMlWNJv0wArCPHn-fe11V-zdRtnvkGh5Sb68p2lA/s3739/DSC05404.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3739" data-original-width="2484" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5nX7ESAtE-ntkseM-hBz3BJ3hPq-CybsSuuiJgsSdW8sSnJun2O6N00Itw8fBOayLVc0SViIKe5P63w5389veQJpvi22vBoNlldsNhLKtgSdxE04uql4DLMX5eITKkRxOgr_pYneDcAMlWNJv0wArCPHn-fe11V-zdRtnvkGh5Sb68p2lA/s320/DSC05404.JPG" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’m not sure if you ever really stop moving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went right from the busyness of summer to volleyball,
then straight to basketball, then straight to track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An asthma diagnosis did not slow you down one
bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You learned quickly how to manage
that without missing a beat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s been
fun to watch you try so many different things to find your favorites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are a very good volleyball player, and I
cannot wait to watch you play in high school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You were a great basketball player as well and I loved cheering you on
and watching you lead your team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You also
loved running track even though you chose one of the hardest races as your
favorite (800 meter).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I love the
most about you in sports is the great teammate you are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are coachable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are respectful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You give your all every time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You cheer on your teammates and keep a
positive attitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have worked so
hard at every sport, and I really admire the way you have massively improved
over the years.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEe7UWpO9Z7lDUpEjVy7Vdf3RVYowqBQzkR25_IghtjNdkVUzVjA-d8WGllRyhStKb_PE7sff_YntmbODx6AQyopzjD4VtG-EBRuA1jfmQH5C3R57i6Cgnjh3kZ3PvV_S-m1A5aKDA57Q-ZuXiiBPfVeqjzHOIkv0XacXKDMQUj0DdeTi7Q/s640/thumbnail_IMG_6884.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEe7UWpO9Z7lDUpEjVy7Vdf3RVYowqBQzkR25_IghtjNdkVUzVjA-d8WGllRyhStKb_PE7sff_YntmbODx6AQyopzjD4VtG-EBRuA1jfmQH5C3R57i6Cgnjh3kZ3PvV_S-m1A5aKDA57Q-ZuXiiBPfVeqjzHOIkv0XacXKDMQUj0DdeTi7Q/s320/thumbnail_IMG_6884.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTA3VeZ0WFmmGi9-GbVBX1Eh9TwqlL7QQEwJRi5U_Hyauhf1GGzXQjJfk4CSu1rpUD_xOjMGHic3K2ysLEBIAuT7kx9rGHgVtMiB5lt6W4vOL2tp6NwIIz6ZRiDxIKrA3AmYXAQW0JHolGi7tgIgAg69CagzO76ZuuMyyC0CVizwMrPpTzsA/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_8773.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="963" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTA3VeZ0WFmmGi9-GbVBX1Eh9TwqlL7QQEwJRi5U_Hyauhf1GGzXQjJfk4CSu1rpUD_xOjMGHic3K2ysLEBIAuT7kx9rGHgVtMiB5lt6W4vOL2tp6NwIIz6ZRiDxIKrA3AmYXAQW0JHolGi7tgIgAg69CagzO76ZuuMyyC0CVizwMrPpTzsA/s320/thumbnail_IMG_8773.jpg" width="241" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwtJxbLnVEHI5NaMMdeRk-9IdBtkzH6kwyrBzI9ych-dmEuRx2tLYs9VyhqyFdETzzWGIiqrQZMAtTIiud8YBWYOzy8GvPg3_k-W-LOQa_o3UuEp9UmWpVVgytiQif_6Bt8ouFpbP5MwSG5YKZrRnBTbskyrTIPayYugOk-qwvd1geikhwQ/s640/thumbnail_IMG_6495.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwtJxbLnVEHI5NaMMdeRk-9IdBtkzH6kwyrBzI9ych-dmEuRx2tLYs9VyhqyFdETzzWGIiqrQZMAtTIiud8YBWYOzy8GvPg3_k-W-LOQa_o3UuEp9UmWpVVgytiQif_6Bt8ouFpbP5MwSG5YKZrRnBTbskyrTIPayYugOk-qwvd1geikhwQ/s320/thumbnail_IMG_6495.jpg" width="241" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2uyJ-hiyycZH6YfC7bUl2gGPMlkLXzx0w9WQNM1X1iTlcizgvBlFWo9Zd4JZCqRCsifz9Gk7WK8CMaZhti83_3ropIzu3-rVWbR8mpRUft26Ump05lO66SZYR-18PXigxgFhohfNLr4vd1T5FfsTlL_UFjmVXVTCrNCNoLbqXnOKjeiiqQ/s640/thumbnail_IMG_6283.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2uyJ-hiyycZH6YfC7bUl2gGPMlkLXzx0w9WQNM1X1iTlcizgvBlFWo9Zd4JZCqRCsifz9Gk7WK8CMaZhti83_3ropIzu3-rVWbR8mpRUft26Ump05lO66SZYR-18PXigxgFhohfNLr4vd1T5FfsTlL_UFjmVXVTCrNCNoLbqXnOKjeiiqQ/s320/thumbnail_IMG_6283.jpg" width="240" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YI1Pxm4Q29S1NJWWNd0UnqCD2oO5go0z9H0kt5YFX9JV7LP9flbnpmMlc_aqykByF8ESqvZBMNJyiAjP8sUFgv0NEwhJkL4SdVy8zuS5z1YFkn0AE73aRjVA1-F79DLMBr6uNVQ6eCXKqZHgG1udlRcOgG1yHRfRiVCLbL4DAXueBGUq1A/s4921/DSC04789.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4921" data-original-width="3287" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YI1Pxm4Q29S1NJWWNd0UnqCD2oO5go0z9H0kt5YFX9JV7LP9flbnpmMlc_aqykByF8ESqvZBMNJyiAjP8sUFgv0NEwhJkL4SdVy8zuS5z1YFkn0AE73aRjVA1-F79DLMBr6uNVQ6eCXKqZHgG1udlRcOgG1yHRfRiVCLbL4DAXueBGUq1A/s320/DSC04789.JPG" width="214" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The highlight of your year was being involved in various
theater productions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You performed as
Mother Gothel (an evil villain) in your class production of Tangled
(Rapunzel).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You took ownership of that
role and performed it so brilliantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taking
the stage with some of your best friends was the icing on the cake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was really fun to see you flourish on the
stage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your confidence in your ability
to deliver a scene was awesome.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRBIKlYxgS3DkUK_xzz3XTCkflA8gj3uNuvM0kk8RxU4UrMXOdVJc0U4Qwd1YkpJP_yO33BqHL01tjBjF4raki4vvExxaPcVgLMqRDPGpB4QEPU_pkSDzAF47eefKzHJ5N4nptCwSAzP3GNVu24-uJX5NIh0i6g4T5vUZTBePQ-c7rNM9mQ/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_6684.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRBIKlYxgS3DkUK_xzz3XTCkflA8gj3uNuvM0kk8RxU4UrMXOdVJc0U4Qwd1YkpJP_yO33BqHL01tjBjF4raki4vvExxaPcVgLMqRDPGpB4QEPU_pkSDzAF47eefKzHJ5N4nptCwSAzP3GNVu24-uJX5NIh0i6g4T5vUZTBePQ-c7rNM9mQ/s320/thumbnail_IMG_6684.jpg" width="240" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZvQ_y1PInSyh2A-WBfKAtVtSR404dYW_2tU4ELTGNz6TR71Ea97R_YDEUmUiFvz0AkFAG1sQRIhwRbLD2T48VuHiPrWns1wBczqdmvXKZrw7-9adWeZAzQB7nl2brxYtYzIE14XnI9Hy46IzhEVeqoaxU6SA743gPUQDmVDwteXHAOqWqw/s5575/IMG_4661.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3673" data-original-width="5575" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZvQ_y1PInSyh2A-WBfKAtVtSR404dYW_2tU4ELTGNz6TR71Ea97R_YDEUmUiFvz0AkFAG1sQRIhwRbLD2T48VuHiPrWns1wBczqdmvXKZrw7-9adWeZAzQB7nl2brxYtYzIE14XnI9Hy46IzhEVeqoaxU6SA743gPUQDmVDwteXHAOqWqw/s320/IMG_4661.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLuQNh0assB9_pTDG182mYz0SYEMXIza9gUU96qdN9M1US2dws3v1xE12TvwxucQ-oCGZXSyfJfQb1J7S2JX894gCg94cUQIus8M4PtkrEDg2xBjNfM74sR3iTpZpyme3pSFD6hQsdr9miVquLKwCTkvNfBK7q_y1lp4cQzhGKO8_VtpEXw/s6240/IMG_3155.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLuQNh0assB9_pTDG182mYz0SYEMXIza9gUU96qdN9M1US2dws3v1xE12TvwxucQ-oCGZXSyfJfQb1J7S2JX894gCg94cUQIus8M4PtkrEDg2xBjNfM74sR3iTpZpyme3pSFD6hQsdr9miVquLKwCTkvNfBK7q_y1lp4cQzhGKO8_VtpEXw/s320/IMG_3155.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHjGwREM5Auhw6GSi6R0AURGpTBrQd9W4qTiVvLsvraaEx3cwaoWBACaFRHBW8A3MFSYtO4L3c_cD_5S3c7QJJ_mA3tC5Kqvgv2rIFiWDVrEiKHGcZtRO-FHnH0-9QxDv_7XJf6pOTmozmMWVdM9UJtXf2dhLs_0tx_JUZhcofA3YnDHMHA/s6240/IMG_2327.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHjGwREM5Auhw6GSi6R0AURGpTBrQd9W4qTiVvLsvraaEx3cwaoWBACaFRHBW8A3MFSYtO4L3c_cD_5S3c7QJJ_mA3tC5Kqvgv2rIFiWDVrEiKHGcZtRO-FHnH0-9QxDv_7XJf6pOTmozmMWVdM9UJtXf2dhLs_0tx_JUZhcofA3YnDHMHA/s320/IMG_2327.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5IYLlqoQ4_CeWwSH-diSV1jmoQdyct6ZXBMZP1SwtJvZtGWhAdfc7yuFb1Lw8AXU0WRUvSQ4gHClCZsQq3HR2zrplvWhpr-tXnqIocCVldGZWdDNr7OeZwtssPuLMuDlk-g3RJquYfEVJFetaBW25Oyo9xwLVwC3QI5SSWCqbaZsz6X-VQ/s6240/IMG_0197.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5IYLlqoQ4_CeWwSH-diSV1jmoQdyct6ZXBMZP1SwtJvZtGWhAdfc7yuFb1Lw8AXU0WRUvSQ4gHClCZsQq3HR2zrplvWhpr-tXnqIocCVldGZWdDNr7OeZwtssPuLMuDlk-g3RJquYfEVJFetaBW25Oyo9xwLVwC3QI5SSWCqbaZsz6X-VQ/s320/IMG_0197.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxjnRVv7v6upo6NSnzhOMjiu8lOJaCPOeNvfCzsFF5Q4pe0T7crAEjVN-ucDmpwe0RKfDcp0fGKDEaRbkWk3Y5ZfYCehvjQ28wZBhKEIe9majwnen8QJTQ23qW01H38DYE9qAff4QJR1BHIq7sJIE3q1ox4MOGgN1SMH3mzB3kt1v1QeZzw/s4105/DSC05417.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4105" data-original-width="2738" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxjnRVv7v6upo6NSnzhOMjiu8lOJaCPOeNvfCzsFF5Q4pe0T7crAEjVN-ucDmpwe0RKfDcp0fGKDEaRbkWk3Y5ZfYCehvjQ28wZBhKEIe9majwnen8QJTQ23qW01H38DYE9qAff4QJR1BHIq7sJIE3q1ox4MOGgN1SMH3mzB3kt1v1QeZzw/s320/DSC05417.JPG" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialXFzQPyzcVM23zoCqu9vvZH9GO-iup21Kw1ppRUdOyMwK2gY8GjmJTOEhfu0zrfjfcdgjDrmisQBfAdofBi0rU34cbXVpIqzLEgJyVaZ4OOyjS2xoccjABnfBHIz-QeoWwtb4OmiICRvoZ9rsg13JXDyikPtDukyau5gMBgYgS44dPBtxA/s6000/DSC05359.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialXFzQPyzcVM23zoCqu9vvZH9GO-iup21Kw1ppRUdOyMwK2gY8GjmJTOEhfu0zrfjfcdgjDrmisQBfAdofBi0rU34cbXVpIqzLEgJyVaZ4OOyjS2xoccjABnfBHIz-QeoWwtb4OmiICRvoZ9rsg13JXDyikPtDukyau5gMBgYgS44dPBtxA/s320/DSC05359.JPG" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YWaDD6asTEsM4LmOY0Px9Z1uyU9q8iLTBWVue0NhTvLKXRhIjSSZZbLNba5fgi6_35InQkiGAVqFlKQm2YDg8rZO_htrE3c0MmxszlOrHCNkm8QVEwauWrg7ctiI9gXmo1_kiIugwEP3u8Yo0vhPDznCTUMb_nhnQWVpwkVR0E8SwOTYeA/s5205/DSC05353.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3722" data-original-width="5205" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YWaDD6asTEsM4LmOY0Px9Z1uyU9q8iLTBWVue0NhTvLKXRhIjSSZZbLNba5fgi6_35InQkiGAVqFlKQm2YDg8rZO_htrE3c0MmxszlOrHCNkm8QVEwauWrg7ctiI9gXmo1_kiIugwEP3u8Yo0vhPDznCTUMb_nhnQWVpwkVR0E8SwOTYeA/s320/DSC05353.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjakxT4BGnAdZGzup6Adet1FfAGEtEVBFcCnlZPrAOqGH2ctSktHjErfFP07zt6segrsWAjH2OuIvmnoc1Rh6G40sj7GunEEPAPzHXgZvmYPde7My4pt_p-a3IVrlt_Wk9tcTl7z7OyEy44fsXEUdahfqG276_4OD0RRbuZv9kuaBzh2z8WCg/s6720/AkingPhoTangled-76.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4480" data-original-width="6720" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjakxT4BGnAdZGzup6Adet1FfAGEtEVBFcCnlZPrAOqGH2ctSktHjErfFP07zt6segrsWAjH2OuIvmnoc1Rh6G40sj7GunEEPAPzHXgZvmYPde7My4pt_p-a3IVrlt_Wk9tcTl7z7OyEy44fsXEUdahfqG276_4OD0RRbuZv9kuaBzh2z8WCg/s320/AkingPhoTangled-76.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Speaking if your friends…oh my goodness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These girls!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think it might be rare for a parent to love their kiddo’s group of
friends as much as I love yours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
four are all so fun and silly and close and encouraging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew you had found just the right people
when all 3 of them showed up to your basketball game one night with a poster to
cheer you on. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can SEE the way they
love you and that gives my heart so much peace and joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You girls steer clear of drama and don’t make
things complicated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of my pictures
of you have them in there as well and it’s just a lot of fun.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWX-MaV5ImLJVp72ZYW4gwhmt2lOFNXH11wohaxBcynMvHFiq5S7cP2IWz3l_TF1qFsfE4O1bDSAru7gsccZLd_1NWnUB8hfZjQVaHcKjWQwkqPMZkHM6fceAMySxGLgmnVbx74r_moghZNjW_vji0gtPpD26T_M_FBq1IFwxBDNWhz-bTzw/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_6729.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWX-MaV5ImLJVp72ZYW4gwhmt2lOFNXH11wohaxBcynMvHFiq5S7cP2IWz3l_TF1qFsfE4O1bDSAru7gsccZLd_1NWnUB8hfZjQVaHcKjWQwkqPMZkHM6fceAMySxGLgmnVbx74r_moghZNjW_vji0gtPpD26T_M_FBq1IFwxBDNWhz-bTzw/s320/thumbnail_IMG_6729.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="964" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_MKveS1ZgFSkqupWi0TFuCxtLCRSZMwSTKLm3DURskutyPxL27n5WbhW6lWw_KpByM6xHVZdF2keNt_daxwOzBkvrqTrA2bhs1umuUXAnHIGRKpRS9sA0wr3ju3W-tDKG0Fm0f6Swm3mvI4fTYlNaIOrBsr2ih1vTGGWm1p6RuWqfOxatg/s320/thumbnail_image000000%20(5).jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8W6VbQ620H-2yYKiGQwKWyVpJvzBYQkKdac3NfBFGgZ3IQmg7XyW6NGUzSNJKRy5bg1rZPYeJTfXueLU-l0NEe_SG_G84ZJFrkEok-VG98Yf2pZYOjVqOYz-ZOqyaeSMJmR68BJ_5jewJAT1CvUFgXBXQFi7lmux36NUEtLdlWsoh89-5Q/s640/thumbnail_image000000%20(6).jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="482" data-original-width="640" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8W6VbQ620H-2yYKiGQwKWyVpJvzBYQkKdac3NfBFGgZ3IQmg7XyW6NGUzSNJKRy5bg1rZPYeJTfXueLU-l0NEe_SG_G84ZJFrkEok-VG98Yf2pZYOjVqOYz-ZOqyaeSMJmR68BJ_5jewJAT1CvUFgXBXQFi7lmux36NUEtLdlWsoh89-5Q/s320/thumbnail_image000000%20(6).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="771" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1b7N4IkKy7DEQ0pUei2hgca_nWx8rugDyoEyQmqrN8HuY8GMRmQ78GKP7fP3cj_GTPj3Uw648ou49kEHiY-SIW7zF9LlzJRvDmxIubwkzK1g78q43eNDqb8bNFFn_YtR9zy-cU8QMi3mSTqie4lPBiThKLRUvJKpuh2AsxyzrGhsG8lzpg/s320/image000000.JPG" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim75_vfCiipsgU9lmLKFE7Pluo1-ro4Xc5XlnoI9A3grmKHoYfXCzqNZvy1RLWib0bPWhX2546SleMg3BDXi-Xp_36QaykYZX1bgHRpdyCvUGn64sixDefRDQmuSU-DoaOz-mlLAugN0Covrgxudom4JH4uGqKrfm23fS2JHH7qGAyLTZV6A/s1024/image000000%20(1).JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="771" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim75_vfCiipsgU9lmLKFE7Pluo1-ro4Xc5XlnoI9A3grmKHoYfXCzqNZvy1RLWib0bPWhX2546SleMg3BDXi-Xp_36QaykYZX1bgHRpdyCvUGn64sixDefRDQmuSU-DoaOz-mlLAugN0Covrgxudom4JH4uGqKrfm23fS2JHH7qGAyLTZV6A/s320/image000000%20(1).JPG" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Planning for high school has been challenging at times because you just cannot choose. You enjoy band AND choir. You like volleyball AND basketball AND track. You are a gifted student following in your sister's high-achieving academic footsteps. I know whatever you choose you will put your whole heart into it.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukAWeN7ZusIpjpzyjZ2l_TofGasiVUudQqZWyF4L6ipjKE068yV7HNhM8wsZvaPoa1feZJSkgweOHOeWVFB_ueiGM0OJ_rkas-IPjejTOp7ZmdosIE5kqrW7iBAAFbdgrg1XQm7QiDB2H109AZyE-soT1hBWnmn9BeGw_Z_w7Q_jjtWjr7g/s640/thumbnail_IMG_6038.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukAWeN7ZusIpjpzyjZ2l_TofGasiVUudQqZWyF4L6ipjKE068yV7HNhM8wsZvaPoa1feZJSkgweOHOeWVFB_ueiGM0OJ_rkas-IPjejTOp7ZmdosIE5kqrW7iBAAFbdgrg1XQm7QiDB2H109AZyE-soT1hBWnmn9BeGw_Z_w7Q_jjtWjr7g/s320/thumbnail_IMG_6038.jpg" width="241" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh646lO0V4mmvvP5w2c2z6QIPdWjSzbweLql0THIlls7g-nctBZgCaevQ9P7_PPxaP8ygxML_-RMYkKm-DNbEugZZ7QLN-QwrjO1bcQkLXgYEymRmDPg153NYBygK5tB2sJ8o_TgX5Na0-aP1l_ALLwOn3KJpFz5hYExjPsjFTPL79eSNPhxw/s1280/march.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh646lO0V4mmvvP5w2c2z6QIPdWjSzbweLql0THIlls7g-nctBZgCaevQ9P7_PPxaP8ygxML_-RMYkKm-DNbEugZZ7QLN-QwrjO1bcQkLXgYEymRmDPg153NYBygK5tB2sJ8o_TgX5Na0-aP1l_ALLwOn3KJpFz5hYExjPsjFTPL79eSNPhxw/s320/march.jpg" width="240" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You love makeup and neutral colors and YouTube.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love movies and giant books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love pandas and leggings and tall white
Nike socks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love your family, your
friends and your nieces and nephews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
love teaching and music and homemade crunch wraps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love trends and brands and shopping till
we drop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love smoothies from
Scooters, making colorful and creative to-do lists, and the art of
hand-lettering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeSVVwOjnR9C9K1SGW9PU-EAzaWzSm8ON4y-fKs2wCErN3MB4f-DEYPjKufOAPA3sQjv9bgMtn4fvsTFtt_LRM8X5MHKqRLQldAZCQ0w17RCLAtUJHaoxBgKP4VRQe2tDl7y3r6W9xhchdj2wzOhvdHNWsuvX0VaM-VB1aDmfbjOxeJ5s-Q/s640/thumbnail_IMG_6541.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeSVVwOjnR9C9K1SGW9PU-EAzaWzSm8ON4y-fKs2wCErN3MB4f-DEYPjKufOAPA3sQjv9bgMtn4fvsTFtt_LRM8X5MHKqRLQldAZCQ0w17RCLAtUJHaoxBgKP4VRQe2tDl7y3r6W9xhchdj2wzOhvdHNWsuvX0VaM-VB1aDmfbjOxeJ5s-Q/s320/thumbnail_IMG_6541.jpg" width="241" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxCiwkS6a0hIfChpUcORNourhy531caV5zTAYr8LriRPhHT02KD-vyiI7E7OSjibBZVFRa1TcGXyDX8SbgJFu_6Mc95-5U-NuWhxHISsnew4CoaXQY7sLrKUY0Bqvji08mrdwXPEgWvWlUONnVxz8Tw_LcD1XRKpFIFoIeHWIAmrQGdwANw/s6708/088a8781.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4472" data-original-width="6708" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxCiwkS6a0hIfChpUcORNourhy531caV5zTAYr8LriRPhHT02KD-vyiI7E7OSjibBZVFRa1TcGXyDX8SbgJFu_6Mc95-5U-NuWhxHISsnew4CoaXQY7sLrKUY0Bqvji08mrdwXPEgWvWlUONnVxz8Tw_LcD1XRKpFIFoIeHWIAmrQGdwANw/s320/088a8781.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKAqo2tHSbdu3XnRlN5Gs0acewJOzouK8EQLu32BuVSAsVKXVTsFdvJlNmq0T1Djri-SZBieFabvBKNstJUDxUMgpUGh3bIlP1ExodeJA6IBRDqzAqmx51sL5AKzyUpNzf0GVTtZ677jnWdMtvk0Y0DV1_rZRf43LALDADMYFth4UYc2UvA/s4850/IMG_4394.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3112" data-original-width="4850" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKAqo2tHSbdu3XnRlN5Gs0acewJOzouK8EQLu32BuVSAsVKXVTsFdvJlNmq0T1Djri-SZBieFabvBKNstJUDxUMgpUGh3bIlP1ExodeJA6IBRDqzAqmx51sL5AKzyUpNzf0GVTtZ677jnWdMtvk0Y0DV1_rZRf43LALDADMYFth4UYc2UvA/s320/IMG_4394.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuEKijPUvk4lEw1ZV3lCRgpe1T-GLFktq0lJjtDx4iN5M5VAb4b9uVMRFmsKT7GMIesEmInFphssVwRkijJj1v1KXEe-5P9wMdpjEwhqBhQj3-cyBxd4ryJbTLpXpifnqNfwvDTdoG8QdQ2ab8-raPOs4Iii31F-KwiIRdezM0CQhPnpBbA/s6708/088a8873.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4472" data-original-width="6708" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuEKijPUvk4lEw1ZV3lCRgpe1T-GLFktq0lJjtDx4iN5M5VAb4b9uVMRFmsKT7GMIesEmInFphssVwRkijJj1v1KXEe-5P9wMdpjEwhqBhQj3-cyBxd4ryJbTLpXpifnqNfwvDTdoG8QdQ2ab8-raPOs4Iii31F-KwiIRdezM0CQhPnpBbA/s320/088a8873.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I love how we laugh together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love that I can always tease you until you
smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love that you like a certain boy,
but you aren’t obnoxious or weird about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I love that I can sometimes embarrass you with my mom-awkwardness and
you will just slap your head in dismay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I love how neat and tidy you are (most of the time).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love how responsible you are and how we can
trust you to help your brother with various things when we aren’t available. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the way you forgive us for every time
we have forgotten to pick you up from school or sports.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love your sense of humor and the way you
can always make your dad laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBlRZC7gFXuYvRZX5HRdiwQ4u-S39FiEJkzLNbEuPEeFJ7hWZDI-p8ONdshhAhzAg0pS704KxdF_dWtPaX_0AOMJKl9-8JIcl2QGXvyJe8raXGvFn7TOixYCtpHs-niGVM0PlircWQQBUaKVHExA-mR-8Ieii3spJRfFO6pkLkKaL4wdVEA/s640/thumbnail_image000000%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="482" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBlRZC7gFXuYvRZX5HRdiwQ4u-S39FiEJkzLNbEuPEeFJ7hWZDI-p8ONdshhAhzAg0pS704KxdF_dWtPaX_0AOMJKl9-8JIcl2QGXvyJe8raXGvFn7TOixYCtpHs-niGVM0PlircWQQBUaKVHExA-mR-8Ieii3spJRfFO6pkLkKaL4wdVEA/s320/thumbnail_image000000%20(1).jpg" width="241" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPg__1Db-smlufSVlArE9lJZboNitxHDk0Tdt8W5jXlgaXFkrZH7sUpa5Qh7UkrQEVwHSy_KVKwc03XSeY7U8vYhapswJqeY7EkLdZttlBRl2kzan48F_l2Y73_i2Yv-TyBWj3kCz15ljmbQL_Gvqhl2E9LkJn5M3pcT40GWTeMY0iMLABg/s640/thumbnail_IMG_5612.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPg__1Db-smlufSVlArE9lJZboNitxHDk0Tdt8W5jXlgaXFkrZH7sUpa5Qh7UkrQEVwHSy_KVKwc03XSeY7U8vYhapswJqeY7EkLdZttlBRl2kzan48F_l2Y73_i2Yv-TyBWj3kCz15ljmbQL_Gvqhl2E9LkJn5M3pcT40GWTeMY0iMLABg/s320/thumbnail_IMG_5612.jpg" width="241" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQ3p_b5vARq67JuavOaPMB61kvwTTH7IQzQLMK2ywFHasITGMQEwSS1T32m3F9g3MAUYIk-a2DX-9H25ZV_EXHMxkXYKHmcnLvs-PZIDVD-IiKLlHLDf0yodXkPmCNg4vurKNVjWJXxBxzAwL-TCaVT4-S776vUvCT2PjboR0cxIokGU6Vg/s640/thumbnail_IMG_5638.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQ3p_b5vARq67JuavOaPMB61kvwTTH7IQzQLMK2ywFHasITGMQEwSS1T32m3F9g3MAUYIk-a2DX-9H25ZV_EXHMxkXYKHmcnLvs-PZIDVD-IiKLlHLDf0yodXkPmCNg4vurKNVjWJXxBxzAwL-TCaVT4-S776vUvCT2PjboR0cxIokGU6Vg/s320/thumbnail_IMG_5638.jpg" width="241" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You aren’t perfect and you don’t have to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know the heart inside of you is crazy
beautiful – even moreso than the outward beauty you have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ultimately, the music, the acting, the
sports, the academics all come second in importance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I care so much more about walking alongside
you in who you are becoming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God gave
you so many amazing talents and skills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You are unique.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every year with
you has so many wonderful surprises.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHmEKVFnvBP5-5U5BpbPSYvQ5FoxJJzTHzUaslbnBNlJb7prkhHRJ25lCAHDV0QoJOsyfFFIjHXmu74W5V2gNbpzgu86iXDWG633YDjtvHFDahMDeK-dbVpvib3n5nLrTs2gsGwnMsywEouaI_d2C8w9xmJJOlbgvGdsAP_LZMrbn2JkWDw/s640/thumbnail_IMG_6936.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHmEKVFnvBP5-5U5BpbPSYvQ5FoxJJzTHzUaslbnBNlJb7prkhHRJ25lCAHDV0QoJOsyfFFIjHXmu74W5V2gNbpzgu86iXDWG633YDjtvHFDahMDeK-dbVpvib3n5nLrTs2gsGwnMsywEouaI_d2C8w9xmJJOlbgvGdsAP_LZMrbn2JkWDw/s320/thumbnail_IMG_6936.jpg" width="241" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZop8BaXC-W_yk9SiODcMaKZZYjgadq90NHi-g-DqmEGPO-mK9m9PmSyLK3hh88fNJ3fCowfIKg9tKojkd3HR2eoKMg5Hgze3B_xig1gmUVSvlYRQm-ZX4nLMcT9HqZc7YyAHiv2-ne2eAwHSX25N4v_lEHQqwtGLRbgfVXBD7as8P74Yvg/s6240/IMG_1556.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZop8BaXC-W_yk9SiODcMaKZZYjgadq90NHi-g-DqmEGPO-mK9m9PmSyLK3hh88fNJ3fCowfIKg9tKojkd3HR2eoKMg5Hgze3B_xig1gmUVSvlYRQm-ZX4nLMcT9HqZc7YyAHiv2-ne2eAwHSX25N4v_lEHQqwtGLRbgfVXBD7as8P74Yvg/s320/IMG_1556.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We genuinely enjoy being around you, Maddie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has so many wonderful plans for your life
and I am so excited to see how He will use you in His kingdom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When something disappointing happens or you
experience a hard time, pursue Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
purpose and vision for you is so much bigger than just this earthly life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His promises to you are rich and abundant and
trustworthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are deeply and wildly
loved, by your friends, your family, your church, your siblings and your
parents – but most of all by your Savior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You are not only our joy, but also His.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7NampXwRPeJtjELsVXFqyu9NcAOHWxnTg8jpdlbFRIMPSZtgoFEc4sA973JYi5xrec0bTo47GfuwIlxX9Axyt8Gzg6mSaXORJQN12JzWz_j_VYtnc-1L4qiDaqiVziT_BlqllLBEMK2_ijUSyR08QnsyHkj-S8legRAWnYWPrUOfClEjWeg/s6708/088a8821.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6708" data-original-width="4472" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7NampXwRPeJtjELsVXFqyu9NcAOHWxnTg8jpdlbFRIMPSZtgoFEc4sA973JYi5xrec0bTo47GfuwIlxX9Axyt8Gzg6mSaXORJQN12JzWz_j_VYtnc-1L4qiDaqiVziT_BlqllLBEMK2_ijUSyR08QnsyHkj-S8legRAWnYWPrUOfClEjWeg/s320/088a8821.jpg" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4Td089uPVin1_nyy2tPNzNRuBmrpUyxj8rXVelQ6mhv93JxDUJ5zEzjIdO2sqSXOm_AH-v-_kiQaItMK_4Zz-28jiwnuvURTcNRRdZfmOuQm6YQIOzhKSnYCqELq2aaH2u460Mz7Kv790tWfK_JGgCeUXecTyfEU5gHuJSh69EBvee5NkA/s6000/DSC04753.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4Td089uPVin1_nyy2tPNzNRuBmrpUyxj8rXVelQ6mhv93JxDUJ5zEzjIdO2sqSXOm_AH-v-_kiQaItMK_4Zz-28jiwnuvURTcNRRdZfmOuQm6YQIOzhKSnYCqELq2aaH2u460Mz7Kv790tWfK_JGgCeUXecTyfEU5gHuJSh69EBvee5NkA/s320/DSC04753.JPG" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Happy Birthday, Fluffy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I love you so.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Love,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">~Mom<o:p></o:p></p>Miz Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334494599805008376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219573.post-71121327033609507172022-12-17T13:27:00.001-06:002022-12-17T13:27:31.531-06:00Happy 10th Birthday, Hunter!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Dear Hunter,<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Today you are ten years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’ve had you in our family for a whole decade. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have certainly made the past ten years
more fun, more intense and more active.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ06eiJSS3K4RhUT_rJankh_nJu-KjCwZC4THxZphv1xF4APMEZGoEIGlUaOaxbL7-mAphccahA6IIMMiTPLGRb4O5_97YzWlIpngwDS5hdyQMYZvFTzPIbvkPmmuI69cmEB_fslZXE6PMCccH52vFu267fQ7NYZxsz-6yQvyk_Syb7u36KQ/s6708/088a8857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4472" data-original-width="6708" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ06eiJSS3K4RhUT_rJankh_nJu-KjCwZC4THxZphv1xF4APMEZGoEIGlUaOaxbL7-mAphccahA6IIMMiTPLGRb4O5_97YzWlIpngwDS5hdyQMYZvFTzPIbvkPmmuI69cmEB_fslZXE6PMCccH52vFu267fQ7NYZxsz-6yQvyk_Syb7u36KQ/s320/088a8857.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5axar4pvuafO1RhNyURcsC_-HJgwXHyIl5UxJfyoOXAicNWO8_DfUbqla6L8tTsj4b4dZJ3-7KwvGsSYjvfz1oZoBPGT7UarJ9lpcLzJP9MHvETQhseFe4_iDdCSDJPYU1DmgTdGfyiixKrAAzQTIBVTeINVzqArrxFIXguzyYG2VzviA0A/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_5894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5axar4pvuafO1RhNyURcsC_-HJgwXHyIl5UxJfyoOXAicNWO8_DfUbqla6L8tTsj4b4dZJ3-7KwvGsSYjvfz1oZoBPGT7UarJ9lpcLzJP9MHvETQhseFe4_iDdCSDJPYU1DmgTdGfyiixKrAAzQTIBVTeINVzqArrxFIXguzyYG2VzviA0A/s320/thumbnail_IMG_5894.jpg" width="240" /></a><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">There are certain constants in your life. Your love of all things farming is one of
them. You read books about it and watch
countless videos about it. Out of all
the tractors in the world you would pick a shiny red International 1456 over
any other model. You spend a lot of time
setting up little farming scenes in your room and are very protective of those
displays. Going to Uncle Bryce’s farm
for the day is something you love to do even though there aren’t any red
tractors there.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfz3IfC31ZOOhKnAVpf6i7od_To0LOLqHxx3Du7eqvT9ba8_lUnKCtjt082Cuy4R4VJjZy232QzCZZPtrAcq4gdmFLLdxqZJIihd94CiHvCoyl1LFB-cs7-etgloZNUDv84TAvLSNXB8CcpMqRJxouPYgDPQg4uuFwwiAX1Oqic5WRGlIcA/s6000/DSC04025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfz3IfC31ZOOhKnAVpf6i7od_To0LOLqHxx3Du7eqvT9ba8_lUnKCtjt082Cuy4R4VJjZy232QzCZZPtrAcq4gdmFLLdxqZJIihd94CiHvCoyl1LFB-cs7-etgloZNUDv84TAvLSNXB8CcpMqRJxouPYgDPQg4uuFwwiAX1Oqic5WRGlIcA/s320/DSC04025.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ctEeFUAHWewibat4kZZwbnDOHuhPVYz-kC5roYGNO2FMHKRjAi0X7HnOmcL1ORS5eR2tL2KK9pSxHugCHYoIE_UiP3V2F06s39OiNzwIFuPr6k0vBwTMI8Wyudm9F3HVF5Ho4CNMcj7vx46jDLOIRbgzhDc-9VTm8ZSOLxr3FBMXiu6Y4g/s6000/DSC04022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ctEeFUAHWewibat4kZZwbnDOHuhPVYz-kC5roYGNO2FMHKRjAi0X7HnOmcL1ORS5eR2tL2KK9pSxHugCHYoIE_UiP3V2F06s39OiNzwIFuPr6k0vBwTMI8Wyudm9F3HVF5Ho4CNMcj7vx46jDLOIRbgzhDc-9VTm8ZSOLxr3FBMXiu6Y4g/s320/DSC04022.JPG" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvj7eGNPBps2NCrtdqJ3eVuXT6KwnqomnlokqeUOjs2CFRh7hY3x23J31bVshnKMkA5WiGD3ho8NxaxMc2OVi5tO07h2cN0kfZotFToRwfJejjcaIwCiUNcVD1Us61JuCplf1pvJVy9Fh4EW8G0ICtZKVD8rYm4tv9uJIC2vkBnig4o43vJA/s6000/DSC04119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvj7eGNPBps2NCrtdqJ3eVuXT6KwnqomnlokqeUOjs2CFRh7hY3x23J31bVshnKMkA5WiGD3ho8NxaxMc2OVi5tO07h2cN0kfZotFToRwfJejjcaIwCiUNcVD1Us61JuCplf1pvJVy9Fh4EW8G0ICtZKVD8rYm4tv9uJIC2vkBnig4o43vJA/s320/DSC04119.JPG" width="213" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Another core interest of yours is sports.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You play them all, but your favorites are
basketball and baseball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Winning the
state championship with your travel baseball team was a huge highlight of the
summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Attending basketball camp was a
close second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love your time on the
diamond or on the court.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a seemingly
endless supply of energy, you often head out to the field across the street
from our house and spend time practicing catching a pop fly or throwing pitches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When weather doesn’t cooperate you can be
found playing basketball or football in the basement (which is not really a
sports facility but…).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfkt8L4xKU_xpV8cD0y3Xi-e8LFeIXQoyKILV4-Bk9GRU0y8vmava-S6GNAlus3fVk1K4U2FB8N-ilD68vW8_1_ASR4RTQjLLhfw25AJU665S5Jq42-MKB2RHPaIRKj1fK7KnW1P0XHo7TmrC9O4OexQ4nA857CTCz03GkqfR4-DLEtkv4g/s6000/DSC04692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfkt8L4xKU_xpV8cD0y3Xi-e8LFeIXQoyKILV4-Bk9GRU0y8vmava-S6GNAlus3fVk1K4U2FB8N-ilD68vW8_1_ASR4RTQjLLhfw25AJU665S5Jq42-MKB2RHPaIRKj1fK7KnW1P0XHo7TmrC9O4OexQ4nA857CTCz03GkqfR4-DLEtkv4g/s320/DSC04692.JPG" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifG92CzkOW9Xyu-sCwaci1V2-jwoHZPJoSWp5oqzJNQDwhXIH1WKkcqB2lCQi5mo1PJqVTQ1xU9PrfxaQRzr9FuaFwj4rKSfrbVi3JamPAUcczkmVeWjl9rPjlMbas61J94-vM8RmiVaBnscO_Pr0Tz7xIIAGYIrqUnOCKuBhzK_oja6pcoA/s6000/DSC_0634_original.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifG92CzkOW9Xyu-sCwaci1V2-jwoHZPJoSWp5oqzJNQDwhXIH1WKkcqB2lCQi5mo1PJqVTQ1xU9PrfxaQRzr9FuaFwj4rKSfrbVi3JamPAUcczkmVeWjl9rPjlMbas61J94-vM8RmiVaBnscO_Pr0Tz7xIIAGYIrqUnOCKuBhzK_oja6pcoA/s320/DSC_0634_original.JPG" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnu7vIggHxOo-_MwjMk7UeqBO-ofzEOAHT95J6V0StmEAEgrfJEBNrwgjssKlqIamPGx6TdA4IPOYFS7G_YKhaEN822ZCZpO11DzksYiDV5ckLn2C4orZQhwwJN1RTWe4fef6JS3g4CzonnXHbRBsRLarHzfZiQBUVwKHHTYlhXnm8be2eyA/s6000/DSC_0789_original.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnu7vIggHxOo-_MwjMk7UeqBO-ofzEOAHT95J6V0StmEAEgrfJEBNrwgjssKlqIamPGx6TdA4IPOYFS7G_YKhaEN822ZCZpO11DzksYiDV5ckLn2C4orZQhwwJN1RTWe4fef6JS3g4CzonnXHbRBsRLarHzfZiQBUVwKHHTYlhXnm8be2eyA/s320/DSC_0789_original.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKQwW5lU0C4G79ka2Wztfj-gQAUZ-AVvdBDl2SGaP41mSeMY1NSZ4uCupZ-TuIQYnqCvbitd67APz71Dck21clGIaa6sgoCLaJwIN7Po-BeqiDguW1dwLpsc0kRRiKMU7WPmX9471gVYHHHFF5iLBoj4xL_zC3Ac71I5SzwP1Mol-d0_drw/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_5129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKQwW5lU0C4G79ka2Wztfj-gQAUZ-AVvdBDl2SGaP41mSeMY1NSZ4uCupZ-TuIQYnqCvbitd67APz71Dck21clGIaa6sgoCLaJwIN7Po-BeqiDguW1dwLpsc0kRRiKMU7WPmX9471gVYHHHFF5iLBoj4xL_zC3Ac71I5SzwP1Mol-d0_drw/s320/thumbnail_IMG_5129.jpg" width="240" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2iAlZnzQcZv5oXhSY6r5XURpmSvYaLR7lZgwI1vr-29Qr4nNSa2Q896ly2fhDHQRoHYjmfy_xKhb39u9eC6_-fWhUVNW-e2zWfFkbq77NtzuP6pSzMX8ESOXqzWpBrXIVN6fMNl20qeSs0feQDWPnEJ6BAjS9hEM4R5jiUdn6LtvHjx-Rg/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_5358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2iAlZnzQcZv5oXhSY6r5XURpmSvYaLR7lZgwI1vr-29Qr4nNSa2Q896ly2fhDHQRoHYjmfy_xKhb39u9eC6_-fWhUVNW-e2zWfFkbq77NtzuP6pSzMX8ESOXqzWpBrXIVN6fMNl20qeSs0feQDWPnEJ6BAjS9hEM4R5jiUdn6LtvHjx-Rg/s320/thumbnail_IMG_5358.jpg" width="240" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You approach sports with a fierce sense of fairness and
competitiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You do not ever give
half an effort when it comes to sports.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
that makes it very tough too because you care so very much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can see that you are learning a lot about
how to be a good teammate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgZwZ3_CABVXsjO0Bw0QG8_UWDrLEieaf_Gy7eqqudIePqmvywaAn2kwMdMK5IeGpvvs3fIONAgu78CD9lEny99ebj_JUSjTQ1cx099u6gajdmEtNMzI99KYSK5a-K6t62YXxGhIKIgl3iTlJMproPyFAn0IAUfDk9n1HL6_tmrRxqJ0tkg/s6000/DSC_0790_original.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgZwZ3_CABVXsjO0Bw0QG8_UWDrLEieaf_Gy7eqqudIePqmvywaAn2kwMdMK5IeGpvvs3fIONAgu78CD9lEny99ebj_JUSjTQ1cx099u6gajdmEtNMzI99KYSK5a-K6t62YXxGhIKIgl3iTlJMproPyFAn0IAUfDk9n1HL6_tmrRxqJ0tkg/s320/DSC_0790_original.JPG" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HWVV1d8xH2sM_iJlvpCJ1I9Rk4VDv9sKy2zlqmf-FDOTwefBoeNi1K45XUSUlZnzSuCg7o-PCKQHbaR30SiRgqurT8GEkiQg6K6Ol1D1nV5P9uGatU7BYw7yxOYVkH3c6enC-4Gn-fxQ8BaMqWb8Y-8yUFrwRGUNrWi9boH8tAh_HsR-2w/s6000/DSC_0870_original.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HWVV1d8xH2sM_iJlvpCJ1I9Rk4VDv9sKy2zlqmf-FDOTwefBoeNi1K45XUSUlZnzSuCg7o-PCKQHbaR30SiRgqurT8GEkiQg6K6Ol1D1nV5P9uGatU7BYw7yxOYVkH3c6enC-4Gn-fxQ8BaMqWb8Y-8yUFrwRGUNrWi9boH8tAh_HsR-2w/s320/DSC_0870_original.JPG" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpa_rjYfpZxo5dn369uiRz_O0lN0XUo2U-Zi673Uiid1_9CgETWX1nDp9aWm1YYsgbGLdm9rflW3uDA1dj2o_3HeQkmmm8PLvi5oyGrlcjbPwWh6UjrBa9c0vsQHliSGG7evxS4ENJWDmiVyhbhkVns_1db5nFAj-rA9IBsIlrgwMcvsdmg/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_5702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpa_rjYfpZxo5dn369uiRz_O0lN0XUo2U-Zi673Uiid1_9CgETWX1nDp9aWm1YYsgbGLdm9rflW3uDA1dj2o_3HeQkmmm8PLvi5oyGrlcjbPwWh6UjrBa9c0vsQHliSGG7evxS4ENJWDmiVyhbhkVns_1db5nFAj-rA9IBsIlrgwMcvsdmg/s320/thumbnail_IMG_5702.jpg" width="240" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You do love a good graphic novel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many times, I see you curled up somewhere
in the house with a Diary of a Wimpy Kid or a Dog Man book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best is when you come to read aloud to me
a part that you find particularly funny and can barely do so because you’re
laughing so hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love your love of
stories and silly humor.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCjs6CzJXUlh-hhwAisZ1vYz3ObDzzsRiX3PzxXnGP7V-VHhMgFynaRobZg45S76tELO1F2-C2lbp-lkThf8ogHUaFyHeFX1LpHiTh1gjzwYIdhv1o3jg0UTEMuYnyedcDzEsLmFt0i41GXO8p7_cBh13iXZ2oTrzpr_GfQIhj_CrbAIUNw/s4839/DSC04267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4839" data-original-width="3216" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCjs6CzJXUlh-hhwAisZ1vYz3ObDzzsRiX3PzxXnGP7V-VHhMgFynaRobZg45S76tELO1F2-C2lbp-lkThf8ogHUaFyHeFX1LpHiTh1gjzwYIdhv1o3jg0UTEMuYnyedcDzEsLmFt0i41GXO8p7_cBh13iXZ2oTrzpr_GfQIhj_CrbAIUNw/s320/DSC04267.JPG" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzS2CCKUulpHi2ElbJ6DMgN0D9deZ5kFZvs2sh-undAmzn-46qiIGWWj-dVw8AUbxBZfwZyHO-xmXzuF8MZrfYIg86XlMwr0WWJrD1JCBVcN0gcQjHcRSMdZxr9mG1f80IpimQwQ545Kowk1lPFa5UIOP-plzjeGCAuNP8Fz0e-2HWKL9QQ/s4930/DSC04331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4930" data-original-width="3287" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzS2CCKUulpHi2ElbJ6DMgN0D9deZ5kFZvs2sh-undAmzn-46qiIGWWj-dVw8AUbxBZfwZyHO-xmXzuF8MZrfYIg86XlMwr0WWJrD1JCBVcN0gcQjHcRSMdZxr9mG1f80IpimQwQ545Kowk1lPFa5UIOP-plzjeGCAuNP8Fz0e-2HWKL9QQ/s320/DSC04331.JPG" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnn-S2XomfZ6PO4k1pWUOxrotbXcZ8cmtcjxDFwqbz4mlg3iC8nZ83Ujk2yTf0QSniCV0RNEbBneclBgjPevprSG94RZMkKL3taEzXJRsvmh8ApWGu5JB0s1ZutbbCo4Ted7A4ipE9G-sk11uYJkCAHYOYIZw03BOIwYJCVlKE3SPy6lKBXQ/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_5505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnn-S2XomfZ6PO4k1pWUOxrotbXcZ8cmtcjxDFwqbz4mlg3iC8nZ83Ujk2yTf0QSniCV0RNEbBneclBgjPevprSG94RZMkKL3taEzXJRsvmh8ApWGu5JB0s1ZutbbCo4Ted7A4ipE9G-sk11uYJkCAHYOYIZw03BOIwYJCVlKE3SPy6lKBXQ/s320/thumbnail_IMG_5505.jpg" width="240" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your absolute favorite place on earth is Grandma Vande Voort’s
farm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love being there and wandering
around outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes you find a
small treasure somewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes you
practice your pitching against the side of the shed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes you just wander around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You still miss your Grandpa so much, but now
you can talk about him with a smile on your face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His picture still hangs right next to your
bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in so many ways you remind me
of him – your love of farming, your love of baseball, your love of basketball,
your love of silly humor, your math abilities – all of it a sweet glimpse of a
man you love even still.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvbcEa7-hjK2FTRauIwU5duNqaKMK6l0VcFiM9YqaFOhhxCr2x2cUx3EfBHelwzyTZsdcF1TKFyPdIZB79cAvBvYwYHN6yelkWikvdfXaaxZ5jzPuF7Tvm_LSCi83R-F7iDJw5GZYfyyecxlKd8Tt_c0Pj6KXdhU-9X7zi2JZqbrQVCDZlg/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_5548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvbcEa7-hjK2FTRauIwU5duNqaKMK6l0VcFiM9YqaFOhhxCr2x2cUx3EfBHelwzyTZsdcF1TKFyPdIZB79cAvBvYwYHN6yelkWikvdfXaaxZ5jzPuF7Tvm_LSCi83R-F7iDJw5GZYfyyecxlKd8Tt_c0Pj6KXdhU-9X7zi2JZqbrQVCDZlg/s320/thumbnail_IMG_5548.jpg" width="240" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Q-ZrIMJYsEtbE42LdhEoB8WvbwYCdYRIwPpWe8eeGNidy2HKkopdTfb8OcLxEMr0leqlovuplFvcs3CLCy13bwJ5DoedNChzOFlIEokn8FBtMUagOe0ABaCqQUuRFFl83pORrjcEf8ncpy6yyeBrXavemUKl-pwY9AuoJMOIGidPBgS9yw/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_5710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Q-ZrIMJYsEtbE42LdhEoB8WvbwYCdYRIwPpWe8eeGNidy2HKkopdTfb8OcLxEMr0leqlovuplFvcs3CLCy13bwJ5DoedNChzOFlIEokn8FBtMUagOe0ABaCqQUuRFFl83pORrjcEf8ncpy6yyeBrXavemUKl-pwY9AuoJMOIGidPBgS9yw/s320/thumbnail_IMG_5710.jpg" width="240" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your sisters are both your biggest fans and your greatest
annoyance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes you love hanging
out with them and sometimes you wholeheartedly reject their teasing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a fine line and they frequently step
over it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But even when they are driving
you crazy, there is a deep foundation of love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They really do love you like crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They think you’re cute (which you hate) and they want to dote on you
(which you hate more). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s a sweet
friendship there that I hope grows stronger and stronger over the years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They love you and I know you love them
too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m glad the three of you have each
other.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sCfRA_h0Gu-NMQs-Jvgr0zfRchDn9otrc2GAC_2FP65dTgg6TlP6aszTIEnR-NKTpsDwTSLiv1Ff_7LzKBoW3t1rFbH6OB5MxL3kIOPzmHfv4xZiZjwYhdsS4f8B81zSaVSntv0DltbM2_CH4exPbezoelQWLS_VcAM8lCf5mjc4QfNmtA/s5213/DSC04280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3477" data-original-width="5213" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sCfRA_h0Gu-NMQs-Jvgr0zfRchDn9otrc2GAC_2FP65dTgg6TlP6aszTIEnR-NKTpsDwTSLiv1Ff_7LzKBoW3t1rFbH6OB5MxL3kIOPzmHfv4xZiZjwYhdsS4f8B81zSaVSntv0DltbM2_CH4exPbezoelQWLS_VcAM8lCf5mjc4QfNmtA/s320/DSC04280.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">School is not difficult for you, but it isn’t always your
most favorite thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’d rather be in
PE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have some awesome friends and I
have been very impressed by the way they go out of their way to encourage you
and support you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find that quite
remarkable in 9-year-olds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m glad to
see you making good friend choices.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVn7B8lTN4AlSNxmxYJxRex-WqRztCmbOvjQbHYiIeVZ4bim9ZkNHISLRkuNHDWfJgo8ikvY90JS3wuhrOGfgI_JtJJgWuNdKPk75yXdYp8PQnyGqckJBzcxxbcL8CQSZCCHE1KEy6uZaGpwZdcp1myYejvE-SkSd01QMOi7aovz2aFjPhHQ/s5491/DSC04944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5491" data-original-width="3664" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVn7B8lTN4AlSNxmxYJxRex-WqRztCmbOvjQbHYiIeVZ4bim9ZkNHISLRkuNHDWfJgo8ikvY90JS3wuhrOGfgI_JtJJgWuNdKPk75yXdYp8PQnyGqckJBzcxxbcL8CQSZCCHE1KEy6uZaGpwZdcp1myYejvE-SkSd01QMOi7aovz2aFjPhHQ/s320/DSC04944.JPG" width="214" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPHxn39vhaLECzhKhjctzHTbyuaJ4RGRr4vFJMCseBjJ5XPgYyMk4zD1KFEhyWwseqHc5La8kc7P6ivF_A5vRJqHfzpBXmWGnzBR2uY2ybuLuM6e0c6ZKr3l0smZbZDzRlzn7cKuEXa6kuptjHpQvJtH2H4foz3YM-xC7HxkDBezDqhXQfg/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_5015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPHxn39vhaLECzhKhjctzHTbyuaJ4RGRr4vFJMCseBjJ5XPgYyMk4zD1KFEhyWwseqHc5La8kc7P6ivF_A5vRJqHfzpBXmWGnzBR2uY2ybuLuM6e0c6ZKr3l0smZbZDzRlzn7cKuEXa6kuptjHpQvJtH2H4foz3YM-xC7HxkDBezDqhXQfg/s320/thumbnail_IMG_5015.jpg" width="240" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You love roasted potatoes, Chik Fil A, and pickups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love your stuffed pig named Wanda, tigers
and hot cups of coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love red t-shirts,
hiking in the woods and drawing pictures of aircraft carriers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHqiGeyn6nseCRKgl2qSjyhFVD4rPnYhXxyjezyEsXFWT02TL-EMk83N9IB2DEJaFTSDekz1TsbAPkJ8d9PjjygrNCI-cbPW4seo3jW1Yh_Z4Jb7LU2dPwp1-Legsa6DdvB3Rqm1FxogMtYwPgUYvUFS2x5gbgNHKAAmGK3Adx5fafMvAfw/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_5634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHqiGeyn6nseCRKgl2qSjyhFVD4rPnYhXxyjezyEsXFWT02TL-EMk83N9IB2DEJaFTSDekz1TsbAPkJ8d9PjjygrNCI-cbPW4seo3jW1Yh_Z4Jb7LU2dPwp1-Legsa6DdvB3Rqm1FxogMtYwPgUYvUFS2x5gbgNHKAAmGK3Adx5fafMvAfw/s320/thumbnail_IMG_5634.jpg" width="240" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDUBVRqZ7Yk6nCXylkBlgQCKp-W5UL_g6a4Fd_QhqyzFDet7cQALrJZd6SReQ_C_wGluVlRpQ19qm_eK86AHInN7pTTAR_x2Qj23ayBBEAGx16IfWt5EMyDIGikF0x-jyH7ql8c5tf3s2yNgzYNA_1hx8Umx_mGKYv5wTVf4oZrivDPFfSpg/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_5838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDUBVRqZ7Yk6nCXylkBlgQCKp-W5UL_g6a4Fd_QhqyzFDet7cQALrJZd6SReQ_C_wGluVlRpQ19qm_eK86AHInN7pTTAR_x2Qj23ayBBEAGx16IfWt5EMyDIGikF0x-jyH7ql8c5tf3s2yNgzYNA_1hx8Umx_mGKYv5wTVf4oZrivDPFfSpg/s320/thumbnail_IMG_5838.jpg" width="240" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I tucked you in the other night and you were sad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked what was wrong and you told me you
were afraid you were forgetting things about Grandpa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We talked about that for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told you that some of that was normal and
that our brains just can’t remember all the things that happen in our
lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we can remember the great
love we had for people in our lives even if we can’t remember every detail.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQyDKaBuwnju8-TOpYUHHAXTX_x15Onn3eYEz7LUMuvvqx5H3PinjeOPNPvy-3nS7Iabnqe0vGIHPUGNMhVEAZJrmhzV71OFGRXiX4QTKgDIqfAeozpOZtvuSzslkG2o7PXKj76FeI8dVxs_SV_8R5VpRfQEGPrkfDsAjwjzL9P38k5MsnQ/s6708/088a8861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6708" data-original-width="4472" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQyDKaBuwnju8-TOpYUHHAXTX_x15Onn3eYEz7LUMuvvqx5H3PinjeOPNPvy-3nS7Iabnqe0vGIHPUGNMhVEAZJrmhzV71OFGRXiX4QTKgDIqfAeozpOZtvuSzslkG2o7PXKj76FeI8dVxs_SV_8R5VpRfQEGPrkfDsAjwjzL9P38k5MsnQ/s320/088a8861.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As I look back on 10 years of you, that is what I cling to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t remember it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t remember every time you made me laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t remember all the great plays you made
in your various tournaments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t
remember all the times your hand slipped into mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I KNOW those things happened and happened
often in the last 10 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I am
thankful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m thankful for who you were
these ten years, and I am so excited for the young man you are
becoming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are such a treasured piece
of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I appreciate your presence
in our home more than I can say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So even
if I don’t remember every detail, I’ll just celebrate that there was so much
good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8OtTWovkO3sHDR4e_OYRmnf1vxYRcVZjMLETZ2d-8DTvMmD43t_5izitmK78aWMKRjsl7VqUKysvAChRoikb4NdEGkSw7GSgEB7zF9jArs2WuGx3YlasEToI9E9h7HNRvWcTGa6Aiev39jKA0_WyTDu07m7Rk6UXxorf1mmiETNT8yCbtJw/s4289/DSC04958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4289" data-original-width="3074" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8OtTWovkO3sHDR4e_OYRmnf1vxYRcVZjMLETZ2d-8DTvMmD43t_5izitmK78aWMKRjsl7VqUKysvAChRoikb4NdEGkSw7GSgEB7zF9jArs2WuGx3YlasEToI9E9h7HNRvWcTGa6Aiev39jKA0_WyTDu07m7Rk6UXxorf1mmiETNT8yCbtJw/s320/DSC04958.JPG" width="229" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God has so much in store for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t wait to cheer you on through all of
it.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I love you so!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Always,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">~Mom<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Miz Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334494599805008376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219573.post-53486787930658156082022-11-22T12:54:00.010-06:002022-11-22T13:36:22.420-06:00Happy 16th Birthday, Reagan!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Dear Reagan,<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Today you are 16 years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Every year the beautiful girl that God made you to be shines a little
bit brighter and clearer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow, we
went from the little girl who loved to design epic villages out of every block,
doll and tiny toy we owned to this gorgeous girl who is confident and strong in
ways that continually amaze me. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42ACV2enCUYEZte9A5dFSR9AqIg4iDxFEep5Ww9x9BcvEYNFNg13rzz7NjN6ZR4JhubRqSb7aN9SEh2eAW6jbH8gprFSxztAZ3tb147ysqGaTSpI_QQVximEpf1Nrj02-Bq3IUTTXGkBo9v4E86uPLFVPeVbETSng00-WIt81XWGg5YvI_g/s4747/DSC04917.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4747" data-original-width="3807" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42ACV2enCUYEZte9A5dFSR9AqIg4iDxFEep5Ww9x9BcvEYNFNg13rzz7NjN6ZR4JhubRqSb7aN9SEh2eAW6jbH8gprFSxztAZ3tb147ysqGaTSpI_QQVximEpf1Nrj02-Bq3IUTTXGkBo9v4E86uPLFVPeVbETSng00-WIt81XWGg5YvI_g/s320/DSC04917.JPG" width="257" /></a></p><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Over the past year it has been so much fun to watch you find
joy in playing tennis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You hoped you
would make varsity as a freshman and with the encouragement of many of the older
girls on the team, you accomplished your goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You played every match with a wonderful balance of competitiveness and respect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many times you would offer a smile or a word
of encouragement to your opponent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your
teammates modeled this well for you – encouraging you even as there is
competition on the team for the different spots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You even got in the top 6 and played singles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I froze myself silly at most of your matches but loved watching you play.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgL4zqKt0cD6Bv87YrQhZx0SvnA170fr6ZXtDC4pwCM7VlZAf--3KV4SiKh77zxKr1PP_dfN0IXMQR8kWG-IPn7Gpiio8BApnvumDXo0OihiTRIsjqNPBGYgrhxa7M9WcbOVsgOOJENHzI6MUxJecSBzo0ZSm8ajbvX6lGjeM9bHdwWhj1A/s5053/DSC04397.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5053" data-original-width="3379" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgL4zqKt0cD6Bv87YrQhZx0SvnA170fr6ZXtDC4pwCM7VlZAf--3KV4SiKh77zxKr1PP_dfN0IXMQR8kWG-IPn7Gpiio8BApnvumDXo0OihiTRIsjqNPBGYgrhxa7M9WcbOVsgOOJENHzI6MUxJecSBzo0ZSm8ajbvX6lGjeM9bHdwWhj1A/s320/DSC04397.JPG" width="214" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdE76PQjw9178bSfC0-AdkX1-cjmQRaL8ipO3JKD3-QAezSReeTBEWDTN6bb7p_Yge7JHGilhregnx26Gn2eFDaJJiOzFiq-SCeai_TAVy6yo43-et9kEIdg_ze-3uFdC9Twg3FbfSuc4z1G_7jU7CbQ-nthFQjL6RHgGtaxdPk7G7VZrEA/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_5114.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdE76PQjw9178bSfC0-AdkX1-cjmQRaL8ipO3JKD3-QAezSReeTBEWDTN6bb7p_Yge7JHGilhregnx26Gn2eFDaJJiOzFiq-SCeai_TAVy6yo43-et9kEIdg_ze-3uFdC9Twg3FbfSuc4z1G_7jU7CbQ-nthFQjL6RHgGtaxdPk7G7VZrEA/s320/thumbnail_IMG_5114.jpg" width="240" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You are one smart cookie, but mostly you excel academically
because you work so very hard at your schoolwork.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We rarely have to tell you to do your
homework.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More often than not we have to
tell you that you need to put the work aside and go to bed!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love to get good grades and there’s a
large part of you that wants that perfect score.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trouble is perfection is an unattainable
goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEs7D-seEKeEu6Ub5iTVERdVv1X-gCdjyQkFGbDmbehfdWpK8iYOEo2zDraV0_o9cS9VkIniirFrhbqSEtpUZSgujrVIrzbUDDG4MdXwcZhegd-lS95XA_XDl5RgWfhnf2nhuymneJ2yzGQYtVoxmtnE1N9Q3GnqBIQptxwmsWKZnrvWL_Q/s4543/DSC04950.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4543" data-original-width="3033" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEs7D-seEKeEu6Ub5iTVERdVv1X-gCdjyQkFGbDmbehfdWpK8iYOEo2zDraV0_o9cS9VkIniirFrhbqSEtpUZSgujrVIrzbUDDG4MdXwcZhegd-lS95XA_XDl5RgWfhnf2nhuymneJ2yzGQYtVoxmtnE1N9Q3GnqBIQptxwmsWKZnrvWL_Q/s320/DSC04950.JPG" width="214" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLC5mw3xwlFti7ue-l_8ok_YqP2lHsDSYu0Ioqp5fQ2QsZHLYvhcfJReOIB8_r-abkQ-K3VgSLikR8FyBdZalSORoyC2lGmzfHQeumdocKXsHfSbyMz9OBmlh-_YRNqSVwcUxXSeKnXjwS09xHXS71xrRgUKjA1HQ_jNCEkZd9l0xJVUBRQg/s4032/IMG_0186.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLC5mw3xwlFti7ue-l_8ok_YqP2lHsDSYu0Ioqp5fQ2QsZHLYvhcfJReOIB8_r-abkQ-K3VgSLikR8FyBdZalSORoyC2lGmzfHQeumdocKXsHfSbyMz9OBmlh-_YRNqSVwcUxXSeKnXjwS09xHXS71xrRgUKjA1HQ_jNCEkZd9l0xJVUBRQg/s320/IMG_0186.JPG" width="240" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">No one who knows you could forget your incredible musical
talent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether it’s piano or trumpet,
you have such a gift and a passion for music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We recently got a new piano and the hours you have spent sitting there
and filling our home with such beautiful music are too many to count.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You continually experiment with songs on the
piano and sometimes create medleys of two songs that are so seamless I have to
pay attention to realize what I am hearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You auditioned for All-State Honor Band again this year. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You took impossibly hard music and taught
yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You worked at it for
months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then you walked in that room
and delivered an impressive audition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
so proud of you for how hard you worked and all that you achieved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGYDFAhhAQWlV9l-0AjsGjMvwkAq-zKuFyR_LD4TcLMGvc_x6CR58TTdFf23fxT08o7bEmbf0Sem6xZd3d9q1EGCZpu2zjjtI3qx8mymI32wqI3n4TFpwfQwEtKaRLUhlrv-yylJyFTRQpHZsysYxFbaK6_sXn773FnU7nt2kpAZCNJv5Vw/s960/thumbnail_IMG_4642.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGYDFAhhAQWlV9l-0AjsGjMvwkAq-zKuFyR_LD4TcLMGvc_x6CR58TTdFf23fxT08o7bEmbf0Sem6xZd3d9q1EGCZpu2zjjtI3qx8mymI32wqI3n4TFpwfQwEtKaRLUhlrv-yylJyFTRQpHZsysYxFbaK6_sXn773FnU7nt2kpAZCNJv5Vw/s320/thumbnail_IMG_4642.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMS-zX5U2nxOLaq41gc05zHHuEm9AOUt7Ny5BKmwTOT6BG6a_PyOgF4jFoE1WFk0THHZWs_DmFNpfY10veGnwirWEQE3v6nz7Ie0uufaeQfkLq6smS6UpY-5YbrvY2M9osth131z7XcWxcFc5doxWKeLYBZQ7uT65u0t3KeA8WoE1LmbUYA/s960/thumbnail_IMG_5178.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMS-zX5U2nxOLaq41gc05zHHuEm9AOUt7Ny5BKmwTOT6BG6a_PyOgF4jFoE1WFk0THHZWs_DmFNpfY10veGnwirWEQE3v6nz7Ie0uufaeQfkLq6smS6UpY-5YbrvY2M9osth131z7XcWxcFc5doxWKeLYBZQ7uT65u0t3KeA8WoE1LmbUYA/s320/thumbnail_IMG_5178.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nfyRmbIouVIeLBQ17SSAkL4-j4GH-QTZux7BAJ1NLyuM2kNwgFUH2tCy_orLK3Qje2fHqlNCTar2rNHtjiQcl2OaJu2dA2gVpQ8BLy0rRJU-nEfnXD_wtPeJd12lboSR-cnc1OXnjKjyzKOf1v_Tn6iTTbcd4RuxWMF5h8mc8Yhr-aVHgw/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_5827.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nfyRmbIouVIeLBQ17SSAkL4-j4GH-QTZux7BAJ1NLyuM2kNwgFUH2tCy_orLK3Qje2fHqlNCTar2rNHtjiQcl2OaJu2dA2gVpQ8BLy0rRJU-nEfnXD_wtPeJd12lboSR-cnc1OXnjKjyzKOf1v_Tn6iTTbcd4RuxWMF5h8mc8Yhr-aVHgw/s320/thumbnail_IMG_5827.jpg" width="240" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have a grace and a maturity that are so far beyond your
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your emotions are smooth and you have
very little time for drama.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow at your
age you are able to step back from a situation and analyze it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are unspeakably patient…especially with
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are gentle with all people almost
all of the time (the exception: your sister).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You are responsible and capable and trustworthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You think through details and consequences.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbEqvSA-sEpracm3xtUCGQwarLi3SgJIDFMjc-CyhUIgv2iqTyLvuJkQ6M4kq-vP_SHXHozPbxKpBoETyP97MD2txJf8rM8egrI1RQ9-2wAYPfzw6ImX3_iSZQK12jRWfYP20O9TYt5JOSNie4a-jFr5Rd6BiMw6lQCK6qiZ1OABYvn7TtBQ/s6708/088a8872.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4472" data-original-width="6708" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbEqvSA-sEpracm3xtUCGQwarLi3SgJIDFMjc-CyhUIgv2iqTyLvuJkQ6M4kq-vP_SHXHozPbxKpBoETyP97MD2txJf8rM8egrI1RQ9-2wAYPfzw6ImX3_iSZQK12jRWfYP20O9TYt5JOSNie4a-jFr5Rd6BiMw6lQCK6qiZ1OABYvn7TtBQ/s320/088a8872.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuiYZwhT0XR-9eGKwE8klQAkTgq34eNb-R60dV2k67_xIv5eUNragwTK-CRn6CgUekmq3jLo7dq3_n-ykE_j7XgmKi8PRydCj_frARnyOVPgRInJwtzL-JHNYG0HqiBPtHMGqa8Y4LYrxG6A5FtI7r9HCHvYvqZz065rJMHwofVoDq3zFn8Q/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_0442.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuiYZwhT0XR-9eGKwE8klQAkTgq34eNb-R60dV2k67_xIv5eUNragwTK-CRn6CgUekmq3jLo7dq3_n-ykE_j7XgmKi8PRydCj_frARnyOVPgRInJwtzL-JHNYG0HqiBPtHMGqa8Y4LYrxG6A5FtI7r9HCHvYvqZz065rJMHwofVoDq3zFn8Q/s320/thumbnail_IMG_0442.jpg" width="240" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CnS58MuIErJHiBgtfnOs6Z8S7XBVU9cBGRh4kz54NkN-vbNslh_TavJ3nYP1lhYV32m3isQWv6gpIVGIq2MRWgonJ4UC_L3u5lj5mL-1j8lZXPB3Rvb9oayen4Upzem7uw6_Q9zrU_d90lwntVmHK3xS6HInpmsQs6OMWp4uV22zVwnDSA/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_5440.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CnS58MuIErJHiBgtfnOs6Z8S7XBVU9cBGRh4kz54NkN-vbNslh_TavJ3nYP1lhYV32m3isQWv6gpIVGIq2MRWgonJ4UC_L3u5lj5mL-1j8lZXPB3Rvb9oayen4Upzem7uw6_Q9zrU_d90lwntVmHK3xS6HInpmsQs6OMWp4uV22zVwnDSA/s320/thumbnail_IMG_5440.JPG" width="240" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">At the same time, you are fun to be around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love to be involved in activities at
school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You enjoy spending time with
different groups of friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You attend
and cheer on your siblings in their sporting events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Independence does not scare you at all, but you
also enjoy hanging out with your family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdz7jr9NSjPkXGrA8BfjDH6gIznszFkIQgC3mQRu5thqIOiIE3HxE966T-s6zt9ezaZDW43R2FvA_Z9EtClkNSswArhC7H0Sk-Ep36mNrMgKZowf7G27APp6nt6LHSCQlt7PZ7-yN4qSn5mSxddyxtDqi5doXUIfZYcf-zl3lJna7T9vH8Q/s4208/DSC03989.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4208" data-original-width="2788" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdz7jr9NSjPkXGrA8BfjDH6gIznszFkIQgC3mQRu5thqIOiIE3HxE966T-s6zt9ezaZDW43R2FvA_Z9EtClkNSswArhC7H0Sk-Ep36mNrMgKZowf7G27APp6nt6LHSCQlt7PZ7-yN4qSn5mSxddyxtDqi5doXUIfZYcf-zl3lJna7T9vH8Q/s320/DSC03989.JPG" width="212" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You love board games and gummy candy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You enjoy working at Jaarsma Bakery and making money
(but not spending it).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love hoodies
and leggings and nice tennis shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You like
organizing and tidying up a space but you never make your bed. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFeya3r-Uycb1zMmq02swBEBQAEuzjo5nKjA_mbVu4gvYawhGkkXJXYs4r6o8asQWSqHHKXw0kJmLUIdhubI524LpkuZg6GnA0bPf6G6HRoIA5M_qjPTD6vfAMPQfBSYUk_EJAjqCBkzXF6Vd0ThZjFSJZOKQ2um-h_DuPYxTa_X5kbXtxCg/s320/thumbnail_IMG_4940.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFeya3r-Uycb1zMmq02swBEBQAEuzjo5nKjA_mbVu4gvYawhGkkXJXYs4r6o8asQWSqHHKXw0kJmLUIdhubI524LpkuZg6GnA0bPf6G6HRoIA5M_qjPTD6vfAMPQfBSYUk_EJAjqCBkzXF6Vd0ThZjFSJZOKQ2um-h_DuPYxTa_X5kbXtxCg/s1600/thumbnail_IMG_4940.jpg" width="240" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dvpYPFLcNFV-EvCrO7i55ZEjr2h1eyLQCZcJu10fTQY8i8zG-hVdTMyS19JjF9OT9qHTnZ6pza6oa29oHbmDzlbx4layw5Dr1OsgC9bZMAdm3K2mY8v_g77rmkoqcWuyUBIbN9puruAhcgK9C0g1UNbGsehsey8-SQrpo63zAnkv0557Vg/s6000/DSC03816.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dvpYPFLcNFV-EvCrO7i55ZEjr2h1eyLQCZcJu10fTQY8i8zG-hVdTMyS19JjF9OT9qHTnZ6pza6oa29oHbmDzlbx4layw5Dr1OsgC9bZMAdm3K2mY8v_g77rmkoqcWuyUBIbN9puruAhcgK9C0g1UNbGsehsey8-SQrpo63zAnkv0557Vg/s320/DSC03816.JPG" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuxTMeGbMovj2XNj1MZkoUjyIcqXV49EwBplT6bjdmPCkUFfgButpQ8aUiQDuCVLO_T32LKOeCklyy2WmC8FNjzceI-NAqq1SW1WjdaEc_sl9rtQBm9FoakbWSmNMJAcNL-_3VQOQOduGxcL_rH6zgKsgqufVnI-NvlQ8e0NSwdD3PluVBg/s6000/DSC03832.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuxTMeGbMovj2XNj1MZkoUjyIcqXV49EwBplT6bjdmPCkUFfgButpQ8aUiQDuCVLO_T32LKOeCklyy2WmC8FNjzceI-NAqq1SW1WjdaEc_sl9rtQBm9FoakbWSmNMJAcNL-_3VQOQOduGxcL_rH6zgKsgqufVnI-NvlQ8e0NSwdD3PluVBg/s320/DSC03832.JPG" width="213" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This summer you went to the MOVE Conference in Chicago with
a group of girls from our church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
missed you like crazy and were counting the days till you came home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you got back you were quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned that you spent the week quietly
processing and growing in your faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s
you in a nutshell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Present but not
loud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listening but not
oversharing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Processing but not unfeeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDl2vW-0GEZ7BZbB6yb_BApYlZXZtL81sX126e6g1jSBNFUHaYC-ufn87cM25okRYLjWFnoeHwRGKidtwyaStLZz51L6w6Ar0qBNt3y7Ob7sd_UB-rSUuSsNWU-2vorkJBn3Qg9YxgKWlKg9wAlUlVz6MmjBHfv4trmwDLcCbBztc2vt4Ecw/s2941/DSC04968.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2088" data-original-width="2941" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDl2vW-0GEZ7BZbB6yb_BApYlZXZtL81sX126e6g1jSBNFUHaYC-ufn87cM25okRYLjWFnoeHwRGKidtwyaStLZz51L6w6Ar0qBNt3y7Ob7sd_UB-rSUuSsNWU-2vorkJBn3Qg9YxgKWlKg9wAlUlVz6MmjBHfv4trmwDLcCbBztc2vt4Ecw/s320/DSC04968.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yu35sMlFEq-fJiP3oqlos2-hsaGud5VWXA0OO3_2sw0_nMa1AD1TEKkCEIiRvIR4hQeMmNySVhdf_Oj5XygmpwOsISOLNXWhTnVMIjPF0HgO8OkfEN9QQHTsy2IOJghLIzdSIygp4fSpKOtkSTxZldYF9GDSIGT8OYhGqu2Rk7w-0uBk_Q/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_5441.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yu35sMlFEq-fJiP3oqlos2-hsaGud5VWXA0OO3_2sw0_nMa1AD1TEKkCEIiRvIR4hQeMmNySVhdf_Oj5XygmpwOsISOLNXWhTnVMIjPF0HgO8OkfEN9QQHTsy2IOJghLIzdSIygp4fSpKOtkSTxZldYF9GDSIGT8OYhGqu2Rk7w-0uBk_Q/s320/thumbnail_IMG_5441.jpg" width="240" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your sense of justice is strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Super strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You have always been a kid who knows right from wrong and steers far
clear of wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You seem to go through
your life like there are no gray areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But I want to speak truth to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Reagan, have grace for yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s not a matter of IF, but WHEN you make a mistake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will mess up at times (and I’m not
talking about playing the wrong scale for an honor band audition).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will make mistakes and your life will hit
wrong notes sometimes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And just like
with music, the song shouldn’t stop when you miss a note.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Forgive yourself, learn from your mistakes, and move on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life is about making mistakes now and then
and finding forgiveness and hope in God’s goodness and grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forgive yourself for all the times that you
learn you aren’t perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Celebrate who
God created you to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And remember that
you are always irrevocably loved.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4-HgY-1kooW0f-Hlwd8Iq76LTG4be1L03QBvjvgXMj_EKBn8jNRTJxJuro0lJEL5eF66tXHCpcmPWVEcaw8kV2_JlSvoa0dKbNMCLctd8_HlG_qrmOOh66zwkIMoUDKs1YOqC6PZzxEWmSX_bAbNfhwp15HM-RaGUjLeD887_x3s8678vg/s6000/DSC04227.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4-HgY-1kooW0f-Hlwd8Iq76LTG4be1L03QBvjvgXMj_EKBn8jNRTJxJuro0lJEL5eF66tXHCpcmPWVEcaw8kV2_JlSvoa0dKbNMCLctd8_HlG_qrmOOh66zwkIMoUDKs1YOqC6PZzxEWmSX_bAbNfhwp15HM-RaGUjLeD887_x3s8678vg/s320/DSC04227.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyi6yI0thUuxei-oKxhx7D0OnrIsL-nAPBCTLFoz2SDNVh8LUvdupu82J11mTdmYiBWPEDIIF6sA3KSEWQ7ySe8WyvIdQGUA59ceQU94sPLaf1InEkmvmK9spwE_pR1twX0rpDMThGmNExIWkNNpXmXrP-xKOo3Qdp-OD1UR9dd1C5I_DfA/s4146/DSC04978.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4146" data-original-width="3329" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyi6yI0thUuxei-oKxhx7D0OnrIsL-nAPBCTLFoz2SDNVh8LUvdupu82J11mTdmYiBWPEDIIF6sA3KSEWQ7ySe8WyvIdQGUA59ceQU94sPLaf1InEkmvmK9spwE_pR1twX0rpDMThGmNExIWkNNpXmXrP-xKOo3Qdp-OD1UR9dd1C5I_DfA/s320/DSC04978.JPG" width="257" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The song can still be beautiful even with a few off notes
here and there.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSFK2MCCL7edCcBOPilGlrEAanpBqmvmoDan0v_pntEob-1XigVOrGqWaO0-LzpkLvZOuy0dOd6cU0cHPnG4K2IzrUsYYlka0-OUMKRqZmxgS5BJpmm5gW6vR_3nLjHrm0nioGKxho7AWsqasCIcI5LlcJnaYyKlj4gTxsZGO66xa2lOthA/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_5904.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSFK2MCCL7edCcBOPilGlrEAanpBqmvmoDan0v_pntEob-1XigVOrGqWaO0-LzpkLvZOuy0dOd6cU0cHPnG4K2IzrUsYYlka0-OUMKRqZmxgS5BJpmm5gW6vR_3nLjHrm0nioGKxho7AWsqasCIcI5LlcJnaYyKlj4gTxsZGO66xa2lOthA/s320/thumbnail_IMG_5904.jpg" width="240" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I love you!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Love,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">~Mom<o:p></o:p></p>Miz Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334494599805008376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219573.post-18987061297711213662022-05-13T07:00:00.075-05:002022-05-13T07:00:00.167-05:00Happy 13th Birthday Maddie!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Dear Maddie,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Today is your golden birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are now officially a teenager.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbJC0svuPgd8Zz3pZVRMT2D_UAvJjXID3t65prBRH5BtjjJYTJP9N0k--NnrrTGnv4EQpcF9-I5Q9Y516loDrn7m1AQYjAsOY4YgpAajUX7_lGysuy7V_pe1J_5H94pdKWoQYIL9qDbH5PEWqOMlCkqSyofZqT0b74PraJ09KFFpxs9fgfw/s6000/DSC04231.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbJC0svuPgd8Zz3pZVRMT2D_UAvJjXID3t65prBRH5BtjjJYTJP9N0k--NnrrTGnv4EQpcF9-I5Q9Y516loDrn7m1AQYjAsOY4YgpAajUX7_lGysuy7V_pe1J_5H94pdKWoQYIL9qDbH5PEWqOMlCkqSyofZqT0b74PraJ09KFFpxs9fgfw/s320/DSC04231.JPG" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttIzMaEi1ubjAAHp9Hn4zhD0KTL8vLomrJ2MhYc2GlkbHNISCTzYaDFExRJx8MQTAAzMl1pKRIOtQWLsOCqS-pQ-8g4I4ZlVHwzXOKocysyOQbXjIG9Ijii-YL0EtAPGrxonAFneZf4tw52Wlw5MCEQmlC_m5k0DHbgYWe_oxq6_zSTZY-Q/s2831/088A2500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2831" data-original-width="2260" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttIzMaEi1ubjAAHp9Hn4zhD0KTL8vLomrJ2MhYc2GlkbHNISCTzYaDFExRJx8MQTAAzMl1pKRIOtQWLsOCqS-pQ-8g4I4ZlVHwzXOKocysyOQbXjIG9Ijii-YL0EtAPGrxonAFneZf4tw52Wlw5MCEQmlC_m5k0DHbgYWe_oxq6_zSTZY-Q/s320/088A2500.jpg" width="255" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thirteen years have gone by fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve always been this awesome mixture of vibrant
and calm. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many teachers and coaches
have told me over the years how much they appreciate your good attitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You continue to bless our family with your
lighthearted shenanigans and goofy antics.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtcS_be_PtnoTB7S3YEzQ7umLoik91XKwT1t7odqNBzz6_Kb0FEFr9EiMF1nC7Fxk34zkuIwCvpbi8RnF5Q_pbSUEPdBewl0mFJahLBhhS_rDP7p5JTgCk0FNwk9UiW0iG1TeMwpHNj61PHsQuM4Icg6rZ7w_qg4525rl40OUiAOq8rD90g/s4032/IMG_0180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtcS_be_PtnoTB7S3YEzQ7umLoik91XKwT1t7odqNBzz6_Kb0FEFr9EiMF1nC7Fxk34zkuIwCvpbi8RnF5Q_pbSUEPdBewl0mFJahLBhhS_rDP7p5JTgCk0FNwk9UiW0iG1TeMwpHNj61PHsQuM4Icg6rZ7w_qg4525rl40OUiAOq8rD90g/s320/IMG_0180.jpg" width="240" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GhWXxJ47cDLNnJpd8xUvCQykVEJWzU3PYgvXV908z82iaROhQD7YSk7K0Lil7UvUUHgnDxJoq-t4Ri-bzxp42aPcyQ8sA5SgmiujWFBINwGuMJrgH3uBUfTDHoBgu4FG5sVeMEEOTdX4EUJgHGXACZu5KuWeRWOvy9gBT611eOumb9__qQ/s320/mad7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GhWXxJ47cDLNnJpd8xUvCQykVEJWzU3PYgvXV908z82iaROhQD7YSk7K0Lil7UvUUHgnDxJoq-t4Ri-bzxp42aPcyQ8sA5SgmiujWFBINwGuMJrgH3uBUfTDHoBgu4FG5sVeMEEOTdX4EUJgHGXACZu5KuWeRWOvy9gBT611eOumb9__qQ/s1600/mad7.jpg" width="320" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This past year or so has been a journey for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent a lot of time praying for a godly
group of friends for you – girls who would speak light and life and love over
you – and girls who would encourage your faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’ve found them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love hearing
you laugh and be silly together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love
that you are supporting each other and watching out for each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love that they leave you smiling and never
crying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Friends who love Jesus and love
you well are so important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always seek
out people who are kind, compassionate, caring and dependable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaODTTK6OuPMZh3xck42jU9nntrFrvS1Z7GbUmKC5-lBNEBOtWAnp2EQIX1YhFrzjcd97Ys5Fv8883znaQsIaYNTqvO6FmHtWTMSP1k5Z31fXTm3vItOEXhrtnak4zUheuj_EV1DS844wmQbeZtNyZJpUn6MPLVCje9g90P0Dmhx_nQoqXyQ/s4032/IMG_0095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaODTTK6OuPMZh3xck42jU9nntrFrvS1Z7GbUmKC5-lBNEBOtWAnp2EQIX1YhFrzjcd97Ys5Fv8883znaQsIaYNTqvO6FmHtWTMSP1k5Z31fXTm3vItOEXhrtnak4zUheuj_EV1DS844wmQbeZtNyZJpUn6MPLVCje9g90P0Dmhx_nQoqXyQ/s320/IMG_0095.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1fgAe-yrO99VNe829S48mbVNAuP9NKPXQjuK1OxlQE-hwPfQmiJNTB4h1vdfLqrBas1AavGtahouhMTd7NH7Kuf-Reylv_SLFMso9jrb0Eupa67I78NkwieNZOQA1T_E2NHHiLd8I_4ZbjTuG1jr91JGhUkhOqyhw5JapY1XLd7yV7wMaMQ/s4998/DSC03432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4998" data-original-width="3988" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1fgAe-yrO99VNe829S48mbVNAuP9NKPXQjuK1OxlQE-hwPfQmiJNTB4h1vdfLqrBas1AavGtahouhMTd7NH7Kuf-Reylv_SLFMso9jrb0Eupa67I78NkwieNZOQA1T_E2NHHiLd8I_4ZbjTuG1jr91JGhUkhOqyhw5JapY1XLd7yV7wMaMQ/s320/DSC03432.JPG" width="255" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZ-r6LFzyHg7Cm2tNKTKgNldLJlP_XwuZCo9MUZK9WPfzZTAMUUt_mhEq3VQEB1aTXsDbV6D_tnPNbbIERbmxndWzsfgB9T-4FqrchGx-BBg2DD3bOx9sf5JjBaZQx2utfDrNBUsbLkz3WgQ0dQEnw_d8q6ZyfpfVkOH8r-hOnIDUiFfzKA/s1008/mad2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="1008" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZ-r6LFzyHg7Cm2tNKTKgNldLJlP_XwuZCo9MUZK9WPfzZTAMUUt_mhEq3VQEB1aTXsDbV6D_tnPNbbIERbmxndWzsfgB9T-4FqrchGx-BBg2DD3bOx9sf5JjBaZQx2utfDrNBUsbLkz3WgQ0dQEnw_d8q6ZyfpfVkOH8r-hOnIDUiFfzKA/s320/mad2.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZzcQCGSyAe6w_fCkq9xdy-OeHsrNMMoDOjhe8eSw92o6Sg10Fs5j7dC8Kt8rO400lej9NnYbGsITgrtJBl11FiF8P8cS0jxGlNGxQIiQzDe8hq9QcgQUvCzfEVZMb082CFVWVMvEHu2HRSPXxhIpUCeK0JRVvADArMhkvsHT7wmYwNfFKg/s320/mad3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZzcQCGSyAe6w_fCkq9xdy-OeHsrNMMoDOjhe8eSw92o6Sg10Fs5j7dC8Kt8rO400lej9NnYbGsITgrtJBl11FiF8P8cS0jxGlNGxQIiQzDe8hq9QcgQUvCzfEVZMb082CFVWVMvEHu2HRSPXxhIpUCeK0JRVvADArMhkvsHT7wmYwNfFKg/s1600/mad3.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGBlM_Di0OuF06spU0kepn5YyWji4G5IyVh4381Z2IoWUeYDHyjmhoZFcRiEvo2m5eIWFh50k_3axtJ8w3ldDB8gZ0RmZqUIM7OgQRAJD4Zx75-lQkVQVsrRI2gjDItOOE3sbi9SRh67xpCIIzjCYnxARmfBX5HRbJWl8mkP4uCrVyKwltAw/s320/mad4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGBlM_Di0OuF06spU0kepn5YyWji4G5IyVh4381Z2IoWUeYDHyjmhoZFcRiEvo2m5eIWFh50k_3axtJ8w3ldDB8gZ0RmZqUIM7OgQRAJD4Zx75-lQkVQVsrRI2gjDItOOE3sbi9SRh67xpCIIzjCYnxARmfBX5HRbJWl8mkP4uCrVyKwltAw/s1600/mad4.jpg" width="240" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your favorite thing in all the world is spending time with
little kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether it is babysitting
or teaching VBS, you love being around little ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a patience and a joy I cannot fully
comprehend, you welcome kids into your arms and delight in following them
around and entertaining them for hours on end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s fun to watch you in that and see the gentle joy on your face.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbiiYjiLKi5NyZqbIA1olIYqUzhX54kRiXNgwQ8nM6xfBLL_HlGAJFhSNup5o_3xehZYMiEZAZGfGGYzrUu-QOzVfLGe694bc09p-DwVrffwwapSL_G6on4_CegPE1-J4cgZb749G1GCbQVeFDslIcHpzmjxON-UKS_dDbUxYk7BjfOr0BOQ/s6000/DSC03275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbiiYjiLKi5NyZqbIA1olIYqUzhX54kRiXNgwQ8nM6xfBLL_HlGAJFhSNup5o_3xehZYMiEZAZGfGGYzrUu-QOzVfLGe694bc09p-DwVrffwwapSL_G6on4_CegPE1-J4cgZb749G1GCbQVeFDslIcHpzmjxON-UKS_dDbUxYk7BjfOr0BOQ/s320/DSC03275.JPG" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRkXRjMTgW2XDcITkI-uPAETbBl2WRtKYGp7tI37-rCq-p8_FpPQFuNo48Gs2gOvQQfxHegZYKsJRZdtv-A57Sm6kRM2yCRsT2-igmNWgSeHzxAeHUeTpa2uMzMnlwX8lbP4kmVeFuypAReNUQHd2vY3XmsXZPoyXFT1udai0wvDQCZ8njQ/s320/mad5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="320" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRkXRjMTgW2XDcITkI-uPAETbBl2WRtKYGp7tI37-rCq-p8_FpPQFuNo48Gs2gOvQQfxHegZYKsJRZdtv-A57Sm6kRM2yCRsT2-igmNWgSeHzxAeHUeTpa2uMzMnlwX8lbP4kmVeFuypAReNUQHd2vY3XmsXZPoyXFT1udai0wvDQCZ8njQ/s1600/mad5.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0amzs-4io60ZHfukuanJOjliI6r6ii6HkqQ8Xb8O8UOcrrg0KsE11OGRXkixJ1PPs25MenjBPXcTfT6H_hhnJMtDWxYVTe3c8X9s064eAsPy5d1yLCUaFLJFcCnEI01LCzehgD7pekpdGJWmu7DheXL_X_EbS2DLNkruQ7Ld7pELx3dwdg/s1280/mad6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0amzs-4io60ZHfukuanJOjliI6r6ii6HkqQ8Xb8O8UOcrrg0KsE11OGRXkixJ1PPs25MenjBPXcTfT6H_hhnJMtDWxYVTe3c8X9s064eAsPy5d1yLCUaFLJFcCnEI01LCzehgD7pekpdGJWmu7DheXL_X_EbS2DLNkruQ7Ld7pELx3dwdg/s320/mad6.jpg" width="320" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You are taking after your big sister in some ways, and
entirely different from her in others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like
Reagan, you push yourself academically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We never have to tell you to do your homework.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we also don’t have to tell you to stop
doing your homework and go to bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
have great balance which is an awesome life-skill to have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I appreciate that you want to do well and
give things your best effort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJlSZiLfn9I5-L4-67E7D2CvN2EhjR9CZpMRlkiHJH4Iruwo91dijSPa2bmXniOO1pzUsJjNEpGRfOj2WzFLBJxzeAU4xYa0MR3pTgyY3PCZH2zEaa8IpU1OcI03Sd0npxtBG0wzKNxeSFYhXCBPhEb75nNpDFljIpHmcMhZwVx7U02pTWg/s5674/DSC04313.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3783" data-original-width="5674" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJlSZiLfn9I5-L4-67E7D2CvN2EhjR9CZpMRlkiHJH4Iruwo91dijSPa2bmXniOO1pzUsJjNEpGRfOj2WzFLBJxzeAU4xYa0MR3pTgyY3PCZH2zEaa8IpU1OcI03Sd0npxtBG0wzKNxeSFYhXCBPhEb75nNpDFljIpHmcMhZwVx7U02pTWg/s320/DSC04313.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63TeTV_OWnCFp9TN8jyrYtFldANEFQEvvSURJ4h5BxEHHkc6eV-Dc1Xpce_-nmSRmBD3G2voYcmPeLflgKP6RuThZGnf45DRv9MBU4rd6aUf4WDXb8ZjWFaw17Rpcipu3GsWFyh0WqgIcb8LxtFNMuiR9ploXxe9DCvDkaKuV02fD5BYprg/s320/mad12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63TeTV_OWnCFp9TN8jyrYtFldANEFQEvvSURJ4h5BxEHHkc6eV-Dc1Xpce_-nmSRmBD3G2voYcmPeLflgKP6RuThZGnf45DRv9MBU4rd6aUf4WDXb8ZjWFaw17Rpcipu3GsWFyh0WqgIcb8LxtFNMuiR9ploXxe9DCvDkaKuV02fD5BYprg/s1600/mad12.jpg" width="320" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">You enjoy playing flute in the band, but you do not enjoy
playing piano.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have a lovely voice
and sing so beautifully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are always
willing to sing with me on praise team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When someone hands you a microphone, you do not panic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have lead prayers and other readings in
church with grace and poise and clarity.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPdM7j79u1B4GFRRMPm5eBWhkOcOBjX5i18XXI9gCi0c8juRI5_f57JNv4y5RO8G3kvRmagJpNIc4db5c-tOoAVRzjd8iamttyv8obc6zYL01ICXvoTzq4n-Hbhu_DbqSGnjvwrZ7II_fzI0Q9xg9TLUk6tcPGaRp0iXSxFmEUD0kwx0rGA/s6000/DSC03409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPdM7j79u1B4GFRRMPm5eBWhkOcOBjX5i18XXI9gCi0c8juRI5_f57JNv4y5RO8G3kvRmagJpNIc4db5c-tOoAVRzjd8iamttyv8obc6zYL01ICXvoTzq4n-Hbhu_DbqSGnjvwrZ7II_fzI0Q9xg9TLUk6tcPGaRp0iXSxFmEUD0kwx0rGA/s320/DSC03409.JPG" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQ99t2WF5V6jJQg8lLR3Q21ukrARxRmttam54hTJTAfKSh8ETbKbMU9Schrl9JdI9c1kzZosySRR2b7t5c0wJnCtol2zp8ym-kyu0PHvWh-yac8zEKNi-bl9DYRdcHSC40a-_iWyZSlqbWmtHWTgYisgX2bW_b97JizgBu7gbqT7H5LFHjFg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQ99t2WF5V6jJQg8lLR3Q21ukrARxRmttam54hTJTAfKSh8ETbKbMU9Schrl9JdI9c1kzZosySRR2b7t5c0wJnCtol2zp8ym-kyu0PHvWh-yac8zEKNi-bl9DYRdcHSC40a-_iWyZSlqbWmtHWTgYisgX2bW_b97JizgBu7gbqT7H5LFHjFg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />I’m thankful that the only kind of drama you like is the
kind that happens in a play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You do so
well at memorizing lines, acting with your whole body, delivering lines with
great expression, and being willing to throw yourself into the various
roles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It takes a certain kind of special
bravery to do theater.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have it.<o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlQEeHJoJBibM7dsPUYqRNR9FTa9JPwjvTL1OVXVeo5aB5iW_YulW886eagUCA82vYZHIZlnUQJY2KUUqofCiH6HWpuZJmxG2mt7qzIZTcD4SS4K0Te2Fwd1GDG6xqaIfSPP_IYj5SaJQQkIDT7ikdMiUbSgTUkG8Pq0FKZAByLc5siS5Qw/s6000/DSC03994.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlQEeHJoJBibM7dsPUYqRNR9FTa9JPwjvTL1OVXVeo5aB5iW_YulW886eagUCA82vYZHIZlnUQJY2KUUqofCiH6HWpuZJmxG2mt7qzIZTcD4SS4K0Te2Fwd1GDG6xqaIfSPP_IYj5SaJQQkIDT7ikdMiUbSgTUkG8Pq0FKZAByLc5siS5Qw/s320/DSC03994.JPG" width="213" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You were super busy this past year with multiple
sports.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You tried volleyball for the
first time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a true learning experience
for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You played basketball on the
school and travel team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first you
were disappointed that you were listed on the B Team for school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then games started, and you became this
awesome little team leader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You loved it
and it was so much fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The confidence
you gained there only grew your skills and soon you were invited to play a few
minutes on the A team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you were also
so chill about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You just wanted to play
ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You faced adversity with such
grace and ease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You also just finished
track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a 7<sup>th</sup> grader, you
ran many races with and against 8<sup>th</sup> graders and did well!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You found your skill lies in an 800 (2 laps
around the track).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You never once
complained but went to every practice with a good attitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have loved seeing you find this new fun
sport this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever sport you are
in, you try so hard and are an encouraging teammate.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7TZKedQEThkc5WVIHsW68-8tTbWTiRKRXYKCL85yqPZvbMwvWLkyAOwpaY23V9Z1xAOEqHpm3P5CmyhqzSYQ5w0qmVNmqp_gBnGe7YhCTmnZsv8raojED-iAoxRawDlGluwkjwDPN7hD7n9ARC461zAtKasLu2TDDGbx2xYLzOItcFs3Og/s5184/IMG_4681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7TZKedQEThkc5WVIHsW68-8tTbWTiRKRXYKCL85yqPZvbMwvWLkyAOwpaY23V9Z1xAOEqHpm3P5CmyhqzSYQ5w0qmVNmqp_gBnGe7YhCTmnZsv8raojED-iAoxRawDlGluwkjwDPN7hD7n9ARC461zAtKasLu2TDDGbx2xYLzOItcFs3Og/s320/IMG_4681.jpg" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVx_YHJKEhYdt_LtqnqLaDZmeQkdPGrZlxe8XXyYaweZ_eWMH_f8hdnqJX_kkgwRrcJ3Fll5_sfiImuBErPjegwnCKG-8POBSKon47D03Sgn9Lc9jgb9Jgx6DkCwEDw2J-3gA1LWmRj-QsOpsMMVSM-Ma9vH0OGbENunqx4PuN30rzOs4fHQ/s1280/mad10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="959" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVx_YHJKEhYdt_LtqnqLaDZmeQkdPGrZlxe8XXyYaweZ_eWMH_f8hdnqJX_kkgwRrcJ3Fll5_sfiImuBErPjegwnCKG-8POBSKon47D03Sgn9Lc9jgb9Jgx6DkCwEDw2J-3gA1LWmRj-QsOpsMMVSM-Ma9vH0OGbENunqx4PuN30rzOs4fHQ/s320/mad10.jpg" width="240" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWK8LsELoNUeVChwM8mZmJYp1NS6e1h0ilw89dVgudSOIOOHL_n4q0zEksqF1_N4CFUBKlRSYmFP4WGkRFkdp1tiXY2OtqFavoqO3iCkBDCsO1NgPVA3to1Cjib2pVeQc_4Yqth40DuninEboJmsxnQ2kRFU6fMXdULLvH-ufFca9EB0UCA/s6000/DSC04392.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWK8LsELoNUeVChwM8mZmJYp1NS6e1h0ilw89dVgudSOIOOHL_n4q0zEksqF1_N4CFUBKlRSYmFP4WGkRFkdp1tiXY2OtqFavoqO3iCkBDCsO1NgPVA3to1Cjib2pVeQc_4Yqth40DuninEboJmsxnQ2kRFU6fMXdULLvH-ufFca9EB0UCA/s320/DSC04392.JPG" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When you are not playing a sport or hanging out with friends,
or doing homework, you are reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
got your own library card recently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
rate at which you consume books is impressive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The stacks you borrow from the library are enormous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And now I am seeing something new – you have
become an AWESOME writer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to
proofread several of your assignments the past several months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is usually very difficult for me because
I am a writer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to fix every poorly
worded sentence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But reading through
your recent War for Independence diaries was an absolute delight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maddie, you are a wonderful writer!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
kind of writing only comes when you can SEE well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you can consider small details and
include them that helps your reader get a sense of the scene or the character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is not something everyone can do, but
you do it easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you continue to
use and develop that talent.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRApfjUgZy5FiGtRPkq1iZWWs3Sz_hFz6syxL2RAr_KCXNCIl0gOuR4F5VnZ0OouBHHHIyb_cgKvmeS9eRJ0NKZ3AwTnQGtm0klQebu2rUoOZ1_utTPa5f5xBUSTdjhYQ1S68rZH0RSc5GK_6VpdnHB_HDKukztdGLiDcHLoU1lY0Xv4ZSw/s5010/DSC03550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5010" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRApfjUgZy5FiGtRPkq1iZWWs3Sz_hFz6syxL2RAr_KCXNCIl0gOuR4F5VnZ0OouBHHHIyb_cgKvmeS9eRJ0NKZ3AwTnQGtm0klQebu2rUoOZ1_utTPa5f5xBUSTdjhYQ1S68rZH0RSc5GK_6VpdnHB_HDKukztdGLiDcHLoU1lY0Xv4ZSw/s320/DSC03550.JPG" width="255" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">While at school you are a great student, at home you are
just a total goofball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are our “relocator”
because you tend to carry random things around the house, put them down and walk
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of you, there are
squishmallows everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You look up to your big sister
(figuratively and literally).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If she has
something, you probably want it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
like to mother your little brother which he does not appreciate at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you love to tease your Dad until he cracks
and smiles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I think of you in our family,
I see a source of encouragement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
cheer us on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEpjOqlW9XupwPhE1tlviftlDW7I1lTneZog5snT7u6zu4F2iWhM1fxLau2JGvncvx9DksZHJVEMFTfTMdWQN0rY2ftJI3WyfFb8EHwLnwvgwT_yztAX-nUxrTfc_eF2-Gb7-Rt2OnyCQaWtzlZTOyRN6qWD6G22X-KAKOU50K5ouD9voUA/s6000/DSC04239.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEpjOqlW9XupwPhE1tlviftlDW7I1lTneZog5snT7u6zu4F2iWhM1fxLau2JGvncvx9DksZHJVEMFTfTMdWQN0rY2ftJI3WyfFb8EHwLnwvgwT_yztAX-nUxrTfc_eF2-Gb7-Rt2OnyCQaWtzlZTOyRN6qWD6G22X-KAKOU50K5ouD9voUA/s320/DSC04239.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM78L2EdXwCIDiV-Suh2NP6KuXVqMe0lFGW0-tGGsTbPpfg6kFpVKvh76Hs-Szh26sWlkTKjV61Jma97aFxStWlJAVk7XwW1LdlOdP6bnRHG9rMGi8FLFHdoYGrZjtp4DzZaIv9d5KaDc0-UDxjj0b0xuTtiY9anX1hmXq_SjyGUkUc8O7Xg/s6123/088A2371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6123" data-original-width="4082" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM78L2EdXwCIDiV-Suh2NP6KuXVqMe0lFGW0-tGGsTbPpfg6kFpVKvh76Hs-Szh26sWlkTKjV61Jma97aFxStWlJAVk7XwW1LdlOdP6bnRHG9rMGi8FLFHdoYGrZjtp4DzZaIv9d5KaDc0-UDxjj0b0xuTtiY9anX1hmXq_SjyGUkUc8O7Xg/s320/088A2371.jpg" width="213" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You love your stuffed animals, new clothes, crunch wraps and
art.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love doing fancy hand-lettering,
swimming and your Aunt Amy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love
your little cousins, your grandparents and smores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love thrift shopping, pandas, Target and
makeup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love others well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you love Jesus.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3JFKaqp7g2sU8Icmx84ziDoyggxrtne8hKJsneKlPaMBdq5ZH-ldCMCpg-Dlp0I98NsO8IszKrvh3U9AmS9qYIUf7I9kbKE44IEiACTaKDhi45-vsNZtTGEsNG8e-9EB6bJw9o5qdxLajE0Up3BByQDlBHbm7FZl0kV5bwsLqcZB0xqWvlA/s4238/DSC04294.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4238" data-original-width="2809" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3JFKaqp7g2sU8Icmx84ziDoyggxrtne8hKJsneKlPaMBdq5ZH-ldCMCpg-Dlp0I98NsO8IszKrvh3U9AmS9qYIUf7I9kbKE44IEiACTaKDhi45-vsNZtTGEsNG8e-9EB6bJw9o5qdxLajE0Up3BByQDlBHbm7FZl0kV5bwsLqcZB0xqWvlA/s320/DSC04294.JPG" width="212" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You’re growing fast these days and your eyes are closer to
mine all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t be at all
surprised when I have to look up a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You are not a perfect person and you don’t have to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you are such a beautiful girl with such a
beautiful spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s little not to
love about you, Maddie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there’s so
much to celebrate about your thirteen GOLDEN years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimblovqgawceaLX8UsI_JfPksbyYVpHROc_Y-IRo56RddOEAXWF8nUUjFG3ZQtehctcgUSDRNn77q8VCuKwtUpZCkLSYYHlm3W_UtgEOz78oHPOm1zjUAaqqw98zYVLkD7xnm7Gxr5txKDndD9dTGn6xeEJNqgat0718zaeF2FoNrtw5PIbg/s320/mad9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimblovqgawceaLX8UsI_JfPksbyYVpHROc_Y-IRo56RddOEAXWF8nUUjFG3ZQtehctcgUSDRNn77q8VCuKwtUpZCkLSYYHlm3W_UtgEOz78oHPOm1zjUAaqqw98zYVLkD7xnm7Gxr5txKDndD9dTGn6xeEJNqgat0718zaeF2FoNrtw5PIbg/s1600/mad9.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I love you, Fluffy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Love,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mom<o:p></o:p></p>Miz Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334494599805008376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219573.post-44592129557446627282021-12-17T11:54:00.003-06:002021-12-17T11:54:26.367-06:00Happy 9th Birthday, Hunter!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Dear Hunter,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Today you are nine years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nine years of life with you has been rich and
full.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s a little bit about
nine-year-old you.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRzbl0OgcaLnKQK3xhO1jhWf-96zcwnqGenMM-Q9u8X5zVD07K6lfc79VqZ5fNcoyyof4zJV5YuPfp6SwOK3knc2usK7L3hD3tkoZHJLzfm3eZHGSd-zvIpFxmc-4Vtb946WY7DlUq6u8RRWRHxuMlAKWVDTMH5Rr3q-ll3I3MtyDXlUP4xA=s3825" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3825" data-original-width="3038" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRzbl0OgcaLnKQK3xhO1jhWf-96zcwnqGenMM-Q9u8X5zVD07K6lfc79VqZ5fNcoyyof4zJV5YuPfp6SwOK3knc2usK7L3hD3tkoZHJLzfm3eZHGSd-zvIpFxmc-4Vtb946WY7DlUq6u8RRWRHxuMlAKWVDTMH5Rr3q-ll3I3MtyDXlUP4xA=s320" width="254" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWBiURFt0SFFj65qTkMmo4kNadJAUk8pgLbmznzlUsRnJu_BTT2XQ3BU2j4HGnm4qPZBo3703wtJTZouCESqJDGo8A7qqY9PcBSM8Iy-_MKbnCYdsWTiJjW3vMtNoS5U75vPgBBNbm0L1Bg69sUDsYCEF73yjY-yAcp6zlrs1R7pqN0vsMWg=s5210" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5210" data-original-width="3706" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWBiURFt0SFFj65qTkMmo4kNadJAUk8pgLbmznzlUsRnJu_BTT2XQ3BU2j4HGnm4qPZBo3703wtJTZouCESqJDGo8A7qqY9PcBSM8Iy-_MKbnCYdsWTiJjW3vMtNoS5U75vPgBBNbm0L1Bg69sUDsYCEF73yjY-yAcp6zlrs1R7pqN0vsMWg=s320" width="228" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You are our sports-loving boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This past year you played T-ball, travel
baseball, flag football, and basketball. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you aren’t at an official sports practice
or game, you are probably outside in the backyard or at a nearby park or across
the street in the grassy field practicing or playing something or other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love to compete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you hate to lose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If teams are unfair that’s a major struggle
for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your skill level in most sports
is quite good, but it’s your intensity and competitiveness that makes you a
great member of any team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You always try
extremely hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s fun to watch you
give 100% in every play.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyYDMQTXPufVE3NGVWwN6Y1IxcroT8DtGtuQLeLdlvFcEXNvchXDvcVa4Ckf-4yTBgkPfnMOAPnvMtGFScvAg3bX2uIA-UbMepION270THU0vTGs3j1ErtKIZCqZRAKt3KP0K5g2amuAY751kYDDF4dkiZbf7cLUZ6W3hnNG6QEhqyTMl41Q=s1280" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyYDMQTXPufVE3NGVWwN6Y1IxcroT8DtGtuQLeLdlvFcEXNvchXDvcVa4Ckf-4yTBgkPfnMOAPnvMtGFScvAg3bX2uIA-UbMepION270THU0vTGs3j1ErtKIZCqZRAKt3KP0K5g2amuAY751kYDDF4dkiZbf7cLUZ6W3hnNG6QEhqyTMl41Q=s320" width="240" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikhRPO1C98AC9a9Q6EVCDtqk9bj3T3U5qQ82xGtMf7Vcle_182URcZQg9sJJFRzZzV4DiB4ZvBSAtcOERcEBJIApK2WuJ_Y08Taf3TjnMBHuQFGxYWjad5UVnRo5nUmwp4QUYNoqhsN9lg0HkgrwvgWgrmLcED4BVvVpabt6cAM-JAX6I-SA=s1280" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikhRPO1C98AC9a9Q6EVCDtqk9bj3T3U5qQ82xGtMf7Vcle_182URcZQg9sJJFRzZzV4DiB4ZvBSAtcOERcEBJIApK2WuJ_Y08Taf3TjnMBHuQFGxYWjad5UVnRo5nUmwp4QUYNoqhsN9lg0HkgrwvgWgrmLcED4BVvVpabt6cAM-JAX6I-SA=s320" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizOBB4Bpd6EytOzlZVyNYK_Cm0Guf90GIuqOULS4olou-A5a7bD7X31nIx39m_Mfd30Y-ysPXbKONt4uUQsQIvVi0zWg9oo_gPYetVE0JEU_6gyVqTE7Of78jmnw7sblVsMNfImRuPdBr2-GUBCAar7bVXC7TD-9Txsf3W3AX2CDGEOp3H1A=s1280" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizOBB4Bpd6EytOzlZVyNYK_Cm0Guf90GIuqOULS4olou-A5a7bD7X31nIx39m_Mfd30Y-ysPXbKONt4uUQsQIvVi0zWg9oo_gPYetVE0JEU_6gyVqTE7Of78jmnw7sblVsMNfImRuPdBr2-GUBCAar7bVXC7TD-9Txsf3W3AX2CDGEOp3H1A=s320" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You love all things farming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you are not crawling around on the floor making giant fields out of
our living room, you are probably playing a farming simulation game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love to “talk” tractors and implements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your favorite kind of tractor is Farmall or
International.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I try to keep up, but
your farming expertise surpasses this farm-girl’s knowledge pretty
quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDdu65cnl8EDVRBfNCnz1k424XgQsHtcDJKbhdMHr6Sdhh37WGNzRBtB-wnWTyJwcfZQMlQMigKwr3Sg4Xvwd_c5qsMe1x201FpL-tvijAXOg9oxv7gd3OiTX1VeiTWZvcuGQUMBuBs3kVcTM3Dr-KCjgZW-Z9USf1PCSlvfDZLxcFF1Xdrw=s6000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDdu65cnl8EDVRBfNCnz1k424XgQsHtcDJKbhdMHr6Sdhh37WGNzRBtB-wnWTyJwcfZQMlQMigKwr3Sg4Xvwd_c5qsMe1x201FpL-tvijAXOg9oxv7gd3OiTX1VeiTWZvcuGQUMBuBs3kVcTM3Dr-KCjgZW-Z9USf1PCSlvfDZLxcFF1Xdrw=s320" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivTcFHLSs7StTdTiO2HbzJs8fq7-GXglnO3mij2J4U8DnsTGaQY-TBmTttIY2PDyxddi4ejmSqDSksUcC7GquSKsm5F98-4U_7DCvNfmtpPk6Ii6kdYIZ79rbmEBqWx15r064Xo-sBLAC8XjEhHjGic-EVQH-9nlWeb26O7ufRkFypLGRFQw=s6000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivTcFHLSs7StTdTiO2HbzJs8fq7-GXglnO3mij2J4U8DnsTGaQY-TBmTttIY2PDyxddi4ejmSqDSksUcC7GquSKsm5F98-4U_7DCvNfmtpPk6Ii6kdYIZ79rbmEBqWx15r064Xo-sBLAC8XjEhHjGic-EVQH-9nlWeb26O7ufRkFypLGRFQw=s320" width="320" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You also love your stuffed animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a few of your “friends” who come to
visit me each and every morning during my devotions and while you eat
breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every one of these little
friends has a special and unique personality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was much the same way when I was a kid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You think of these animals as having actual
feelings and it is deeply offensive to you when someone treats them disrespectfully.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaX4RsuUc57qiaVXkfpwL9iQeLfRFUnuNweXkK3lvhduYiN_PcKqPg2D2KsmYSlqJ_Ww6vDt2vBXIRzXSRqU8tIS1WPRcSLHcB1sBzla0MInPpewy-fR96LbBr-0Y1bTOwEllPUaxGBv2lOxMbll-Hhm2lVtU0pL1NanrQnQPK2bCZldtx5w=s4538" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4538" data-original-width="3012" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaX4RsuUc57qiaVXkfpwL9iQeLfRFUnuNweXkK3lvhduYiN_PcKqPg2D2KsmYSlqJ_Ww6vDt2vBXIRzXSRqU8tIS1WPRcSLHcB1sBzla0MInPpewy-fR96LbBr-0Y1bTOwEllPUaxGBv2lOxMbll-Hhm2lVtU0pL1NanrQnQPK2bCZldtx5w=s320" width="212" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You enjoy reading graphic novels and have quite the
collection of Dog Man and Diary of a Wimpy Kid books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your laughter at some of that boy humor is
contagious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Better yet is when you try
to read the funny parts to us, but you can hardly make it through because you
are giggling so much.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-Mtx8jmv99_MyX495J_1htGhGIQM67rcCO-OhSP6AMcgBpT0syDrGWrQ4OXVlJghXKIa9gx42sBwes6z8HtT0EwP3kzA5m5rqTwCCimYCZY_lt84pU9WJ-VN_rFbBuV3UgOVxyooIkwWNxaA0c-PvKu9cizSNvVDHvf3g1-N0cz6sRflIcw=s6000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-Mtx8jmv99_MyX495J_1htGhGIQM67rcCO-OhSP6AMcgBpT0syDrGWrQ4OXVlJghXKIa9gx42sBwes6z8HtT0EwP3kzA5m5rqTwCCimYCZY_lt84pU9WJ-VN_rFbBuV3UgOVxyooIkwWNxaA0c-PvKu9cizSNvVDHvf3g1-N0cz6sRflIcw=s320" width="213" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You are a good student, and you get good grades.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have a neat group of friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love snacks and gaming on a tablet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t care much for movies or board
games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love cows, pigs and especially
tigers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You took the swim test and went
off the diving boards this summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Days
at a farm are your favorite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You run
really really fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are extremely
independent.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6gIochaExfomXEJ676_zqXe65bg7JCrYleQz96YeSv0tyjyPCWGvQLisnTy0grxqdAyhpyNcqTVInsFuIvyLVmLq8V56xY1hnQcWN8UmS8g0x9YWiXa5BZYgTomJ_mc-akXkowp61Cmw9zlv7iLK1Rse_KItS3ywKqRES701jgGnNxUC8iA=s3992" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3992" data-original-width="2670" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6gIochaExfomXEJ676_zqXe65bg7JCrYleQz96YeSv0tyjyPCWGvQLisnTy0grxqdAyhpyNcqTVInsFuIvyLVmLq8V56xY1hnQcWN8UmS8g0x9YWiXa5BZYgTomJ_mc-akXkowp61Cmw9zlv7iLK1Rse_KItS3ywKqRES701jgGnNxUC8iA=s320" width="214" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgGFZoWfJwHkWpQwKzluzolI-724RM_Egh_s7hz25FUaWnnc5DJnFf5iN6_am0l-p15uX9m9e9_uLijgn_jGYp6XV4Cn5OZ71VFKvLDUaJltkfWkFr55W6RD3SNjBLF6KM9SLI6L9xEgFGEBuO0a6oQ1wlaEvRrz3luVI-OVKh0u1U6G3Yog=s1280" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="959" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgGFZoWfJwHkWpQwKzluzolI-724RM_Egh_s7hz25FUaWnnc5DJnFf5iN6_am0l-p15uX9m9e9_uLijgn_jGYp6XV4Cn5OZ71VFKvLDUaJltkfWkFr55W6RD3SNjBLF6KM9SLI6L9xEgFGEBuO0a6oQ1wlaEvRrz3luVI-OVKh0u1U6G3Yog=s320" width="240" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are times you really love to tease and its hilarious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you still hate to be laughed at.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the most part your sisters understand and
respect that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You get along well with
Reagan and pretty good with Maddie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
play a lot less than they used to and that has been a change for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finding something to do by yourself is a big
part of your life now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcSupruYFocrRU-XVfPCfjMIv8oTPKGXJVUlsyipx8XywUUrpU2NIHNsDOmGe35Y6fYn0Il3e06YkBoFU48KQSIISBy6UdKSkCBLYSwnCL4c3CW2iwlV1OJxAljmvvESumCFRTTIqvF2Bo1EJ8ueqMDodGFHItYDiCFWArQIs0M7CW8Cdz6g=s6000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcSupruYFocrRU-XVfPCfjMIv8oTPKGXJVUlsyipx8XywUUrpU2NIHNsDOmGe35Y6fYn0Il3e06YkBoFU48KQSIISBy6UdKSkCBLYSwnCL4c3CW2iwlV1OJxAljmvvESumCFRTTIqvF2Bo1EJ8ueqMDodGFHItYDiCFWArQIs0M7CW8Cdz6g=s320" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibJCYV1lIKW6nHzAGWL5lBoc4pjA9KsFwjhczs53LEIfh_OB_FrVBuIUUspB2Kqlh5tT-YkEfNXCUus89x1YfeUHInYDb5YZl4FSTHx3KBGMCVKfUII29oSOEPOFIAPcut9s1k0shWYCwngawVdIHha0iuV7dw-uesRGG6G9pvHgOMT0u08A=s1280" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibJCYV1lIKW6nHzAGWL5lBoc4pjA9KsFwjhczs53LEIfh_OB_FrVBuIUUspB2Kqlh5tT-YkEfNXCUus89x1YfeUHInYDb5YZl4FSTHx3KBGMCVKfUII29oSOEPOFIAPcut9s1k0shWYCwngawVdIHha0iuV7dw-uesRGG6G9pvHgOMT0u08A=s320" width="240" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This has been a year of a lot of adjustments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you turned 8, all four of your
grandparents were here with us to celebrate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And this year, one very important person will not be here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, it wouldn’t be possible to write
this birthday letter to you without mentioning the loss of one of the most
important people in your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
prayer journal from your 2<sup>nd</sup> grade year contained countless prayers
for God to heal your Grandpa from his cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As I read through them at the end of the school year, I tried to brace
myself for the February prayers – the ones that followed Grandpa’s
passing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not much could have prepared me
for the heartfelt prayer I read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
wrote that you were so glad that Grandpa was in heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am always aware that your love for your
Grandpa runs deep and eternal.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitwnu_zwRgNvXDUDmtGqYmtbJuVpB6cj1sHdt7OSPPCEOcHytsAzsoOdjQvcO7xVhwAnt5PeivO9l32fyExJw1sVAYhMpPrtM6UBFbrGCeDGK6_c7zeb-hV14JgxMP1W-PeyDafSjYgctRJPHU8O_ox1yH4HWUN4lravOLUu86dgYTK4qlLg=s5022" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5022" data-original-width="3565" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitwnu_zwRgNvXDUDmtGqYmtbJuVpB6cj1sHdt7OSPPCEOcHytsAzsoOdjQvcO7xVhwAnt5PeivO9l32fyExJw1sVAYhMpPrtM6UBFbrGCeDGK6_c7zeb-hV14JgxMP1W-PeyDafSjYgctRJPHU8O_ox1yH4HWUN4lravOLUu86dgYTK4qlLg=s320" width="227" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgo0_O6uNGHNJcuuE6ttrO0NGhMHfs0thV1c1tbaOGUg1KTLKa_It-5pc-9sY81vdJj68PIyHvy21C1S2Pt5nlvZSXbMNPcuXbsxed7KcuFicDl4gXEpLKa3KMjL0ckooxNHk_7nrqA6Ybj6EZA0iQmAPy_Ku26RLNlo_mAvc-_XHzw36FjZg=s4862" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3246" data-original-width="4862" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgo0_O6uNGHNJcuuE6ttrO0NGhMHfs0thV1c1tbaOGUg1KTLKa_It-5pc-9sY81vdJj68PIyHvy21C1S2Pt5nlvZSXbMNPcuXbsxed7KcuFicDl4gXEpLKa3KMjL0ckooxNHk_7nrqA6Ybj6EZA0iQmAPy_Ku26RLNlo_mAvc-_XHzw36FjZg=s320" width="320" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Somehow you handled the funeral with a gentle, but sad
strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the weeks after, we hung up
a picture we had taken of the two of you just before he had passed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked you where you wanted me to hang it
and you touched the wall right next to where you sleep in your bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are some nights when I go to tuck you
in and find you in tears because you miss him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And we have quiet talks then about who he was and how much he loved you
and how glad we are that we will see him again.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">At the end of October, we had the big farm equipment
sale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent a lot of time worrying about
how you would handle that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Selling
and auctioning off Grandpa’s belongings seemed like it could be upsetting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you were absolutely determined and
focused on seeing the whole thing through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I took you to get your own bidding number that morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took a million pictures of you with
Grandpa’s things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We set aside a set of
tools for you so that you could have some keepsakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then the auction began.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You watched every single second of the whole
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was not a single thing you
missed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You wouldn’t even go inside to
eat lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You sat out on the deck to
keep an eye on things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All 7 hours you
were out there, listening and watching and observing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made me so proud of you, Hunter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You never once complained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You never seemed to get tired of any of
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You had a smile on your face as you
observed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like seeing Grandpa as
an 8-year-old boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are like him in
many ways, and I love that you love him so…even still.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirZfwR3-e_tuMWRPxXX1UYChyke3XOvY4Fg3BOrwHC6mb3IYT3Ozb6E0mE-kbWrjNqORLNtla9AAYt1TptQXUlAFguyUNK4ywapXqzoQpxypKJ1y_ryQLyQCOVxFsg5FZN-nSs4G95qKPJqt67g6J0lRWZXhm5BrRYZ2oQBaGELueaP43lSw=s1280" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirZfwR3-e_tuMWRPxXX1UYChyke3XOvY4Fg3BOrwHC6mb3IYT3Ozb6E0mE-kbWrjNqORLNtla9AAYt1TptQXUlAFguyUNK4ywapXqzoQpxypKJ1y_ryQLyQCOVxFsg5FZN-nSs4G95qKPJqt67g6J0lRWZXhm5BrRYZ2oQBaGELueaP43lSw=s320" width="240" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvHUIeSL8pa1TdwKNNFi1vbP60CjeZEVnOP70n6kHIzTooXljkVn2W9l9ppL11Q0syR3A8_p50So-f1-RwoI8TSaGipc7iFoQPNtNC1wH3rvBJqXy6h4o85XBhoqxtsSo3H4qYdmbgGr_EoKr6eu6jn4O_w3BvtzkiVjPdh_ZWQdharBZCxw=s6000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvHUIeSL8pa1TdwKNNFi1vbP60CjeZEVnOP70n6kHIzTooXljkVn2W9l9ppL11Q0syR3A8_p50So-f1-RwoI8TSaGipc7iFoQPNtNC1wH3rvBJqXy6h4o85XBhoqxtsSo3H4qYdmbgGr_EoKr6eu6jn4O_w3BvtzkiVjPdh_ZWQdharBZCxw=s320" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjhsTMyGWfUqfk-nB4olSps60BcCmV0w5iaSx10WpOLBlaeimOtgbuZyq6MQuxnsE57-912WGSdO0TOi3JXQ3EyO6DaPlzwz9NxG3FDFEweXniX6gtOdakdjSVYGxNg36ytyoGjUZlwe_kh_c7-4teKl1OBYCNYttoFK8PvTR5fmB3jFBFAQ=s6000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjhsTMyGWfUqfk-nB4olSps60BcCmV0w5iaSx10WpOLBlaeimOtgbuZyq6MQuxnsE57-912WGSdO0TOi3JXQ3EyO6DaPlzwz9NxG3FDFEweXniX6gtOdakdjSVYGxNg36ytyoGjUZlwe_kh_c7-4teKl1OBYCNYttoFK8PvTR5fmB3jFBFAQ=s320" width="213" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Its not easy to learn the hard lessons of loss as an 8-year-old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I am so thankful that you are also
learning that death is not the end for those who love Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your Grandpa was, and would be still, so very
proud of the boy you are becoming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
could add up all of the love from all of the people who love you, and it still
would be only the smallest fraction of how much Jesus loves you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFdEJeiXzCPwhaYDvMLXFdHdFdiQG_YVqgFyTsLUR8kzuD9SpRvY2Xr2ab6l4al5YbC2gOLKlqvAz-EmwpjavYRujcwG9rf1d02AQxe--4b3V0LflHwnk1w_IuVGxbVc142_0B4IxNmsrHB3QxvoKygYsly4TVHVYVtzp7I6xsAgkhtY5A5A=s4998" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4998" data-original-width="3988" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFdEJeiXzCPwhaYDvMLXFdHdFdiQG_YVqgFyTsLUR8kzuD9SpRvY2Xr2ab6l4al5YbC2gOLKlqvAz-EmwpjavYRujcwG9rf1d02AQxe--4b3V0LflHwnk1w_IuVGxbVc142_0B4IxNmsrHB3QxvoKygYsly4TVHVYVtzp7I6xsAgkhtY5A5A=s320" width="255" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You are a dearly loved, wonderfully created, and preciously held
little boy.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Happy Birthday Hunter!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I love you so!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Love,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mom<o:p></o:p></p>Miz Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334494599805008376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219573.post-36165613236616104522021-11-22T09:21:00.003-06:002021-11-22T11:52:13.196-06:00Happy 15th Birthday, Reagan!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> Dear Reagan,</o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Today you are 15 years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These years do not slow down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Perhaps it is just the busyness of this stage of life where you so often
have activities and schoolwork that occupy your time that makes us feel the
days slipping by so fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am hyper-aware
of the dwindling time we have with you before college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We still have more than 3 years, of
course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know you are “only” a
freshman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I also know these four
years will fly by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of bracing
for that big step in a way I am tempted to, I find myself more drawn to
celebrating you and enjoying every moment.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3lIbRqJrV4ZAYBlIgDWvUbuqKiKjg4VgBgACLhyphenhyphenbxLdPdcGGyc79cf12tczgD4Z_0oe0pmHmJb-a2RyhOF9lv7374Oz1QJgAY2OvcBK_xM8bvs1DKDM5REHHAJV7PRY4HnSR/s2048/088A2513.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1630" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3lIbRqJrV4ZAYBlIgDWvUbuqKiKjg4VgBgACLhyphenhyphenbxLdPdcGGyc79cf12tczgD4Z_0oe0pmHmJb-a2RyhOF9lv7374Oz1QJgAY2OvcBK_xM8bvs1DKDM5REHHAJV7PRY4HnSR/s320/088A2513.jpg" width="255" /></a></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You are the most easy-going teenager I could have ever
imagined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are incredibly calm, incredibly focused,
and incredibly self-possessed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are
all qualities that I don’t have, but I love seeing them in you.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycozzPOwkTfeGQH7fGxHb_dlQikRiNIUVTXcybm8TwKC0a6z7DKzRq5Lc0DyKr7JrJAkkZz3SfO4Zp3kKNHu_UMoy-9Tz-YDbjIwwPiaavzadNiE4UORpcIsETlgE6a8XgFxr/s1280/thumbnail_62639000434__C98115C3-05FF-464E-891D-4019835AD76A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycozzPOwkTfeGQH7fGxHb_dlQikRiNIUVTXcybm8TwKC0a6z7DKzRq5Lc0DyKr7JrJAkkZz3SfO4Zp3kKNHu_UMoy-9Tz-YDbjIwwPiaavzadNiE4UORpcIsETlgE6a8XgFxr/s320/thumbnail_62639000434__C98115C3-05FF-464E-891D-4019835AD76A.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08NtyUFDm4tZQHeg9Ot1n-ofsuCcOak6n7NE6o7Z3cL9SlR5ZdR_KldDruLnnnMBf-EBUfklDJTPhJNtM7qr42YYuzEkcgCqau46tROmKJwdfyijyYYQwr8ILyxzrm17wTruz/s2048/DSC03335.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08NtyUFDm4tZQHeg9Ot1n-ofsuCcOak6n7NE6o7Z3cL9SlR5ZdR_KldDruLnnnMBf-EBUfklDJTPhJNtM7qr42YYuzEkcgCqau46tROmKJwdfyijyYYQwr8ILyxzrm17wTruz/s320/DSC03335.JPG" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfdz31JW4d8J2ab8dg1fsq3ou4J9ukpIXkQiWpHtLncz7034p6QWY28OwIZBnVd6G4K1fwmj3Ddqsh-4hm77rKK0PWAIc4Kah4rtq6Dk1mRfdPl9hnZJ0yLCeQIFklypLU1A1/s2048/088A2371.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfdz31JW4d8J2ab8dg1fsq3ou4J9ukpIXkQiWpHtLncz7034p6QWY28OwIZBnVd6G4K1fwmj3Ddqsh-4hm77rKK0PWAIc4Kah4rtq6Dk1mRfdPl9hnZJ0yLCeQIFklypLU1A1/s320/088A2371.jpg" width="213" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Graduating 8<sup>th</sup> grade was a big deal for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You loved 8<sup>th</sup> grade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You loved the leadership opportunities and
the general sense of respect that much of the K-8 grade school held for all the
“big kids”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You loved all the last rites
of passage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was fun to watch you get
your diploma, trying to reconcile the little girl who stood up on that stage
for her preschool program with the taller-than-me young woman in her high
heels, cap and gown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSca7Ulqh5EqmukwPVf2yEyoxyWxVMOmOtqPGWv6d831vMkk1IxRHRMSBuFaF_iIeGBKa79m-EBZ4wekTDkK1rBBFzmlkTNzTSH0DDAjGKg2X43lajBlg-BACpd3eYumsccbj/s2048/DSC03063.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1466" data-original-width="2048" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSca7Ulqh5EqmukwPVf2yEyoxyWxVMOmOtqPGWv6d831vMkk1IxRHRMSBuFaF_iIeGBKa79m-EBZ4wekTDkK1rBBFzmlkTNzTSH0DDAjGKg2X43lajBlg-BACpd3eYumsccbj/s320/DSC03063.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUa58ztGwmnAgTG4Xi99UzQb6H5OH6KrQONWlDHFlX2SurMszx-WVnPSM3o1BMow-Y0NuAjLN72uauHdd-U0F6RD1K2tJqZ-dKKTxcINR8J0CPT0k4j0c8usYivhqf-Xj4TWv/s2048/DSC03081.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1455" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUa58ztGwmnAgTG4Xi99UzQb6H5OH6KrQONWlDHFlX2SurMszx-WVnPSM3o1BMow-Y0NuAjLN72uauHdd-U0F6RD1K2tJqZ-dKKTxcINR8J0CPT0k4j0c8usYivhqf-Xj4TWv/s320/DSC03081.JPG" width="227" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGI7BUvHqv2m3OudgYXs7b6sYu-CNSptYdYK_qvWunapyyIZjF3ILHxpQCemtmJzxim3iVGVuP5s5BanIQUy2Y31Iy9FnzQP3MzSwMZioFDwOYPgoaNd0Xc-f0ImPnTkqaZp26/s2048/DSC03089.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGI7BUvHqv2m3OudgYXs7b6sYu-CNSptYdYK_qvWunapyyIZjF3ILHxpQCemtmJzxim3iVGVuP5s5BanIQUy2Y31Iy9FnzQP3MzSwMZioFDwOYPgoaNd0Xc-f0ImPnTkqaZp26/s320/DSC03089.JPG" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6VbdMTWk5bZrKdQDreEOC4trkrk934fX6g7pA4m7-5DDWB2tBkkUIQ7zJH5KcNcx5tjXemkW6xLft72CQEREpw3EdgVQlXcumWjSzVg0Gy7cmeQpOYDz4AQVfHlcZeoKZjmY/s2048/DSC03090.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6VbdMTWk5bZrKdQDreEOC4trkrk934fX6g7pA4m7-5DDWB2tBkkUIQ7zJH5KcNcx5tjXemkW6xLft72CQEREpw3EdgVQlXcumWjSzVg0Gy7cmeQpOYDz4AQVfHlcZeoKZjmY/s320/DSC03090.JPG" width="213" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We had a wonderful summer together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You and I painted our house together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would wake you up around 6:30, and you
would get up without complaining even though you really did not enjoy any of
the hours before 10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You would work
diligently and capably.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would talk
some.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You took your work seriously and
when the top peaks needed someone way up high on a ladder you were the only one
brave enough to ascend the rungs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every
time I look at our house, I think of you and how hard you worked and how much I
enjoyed spending that time with you. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHD0BJLxim0fO75dIlxYLwnf4nYZlHh8Ks1TOf98Oisu1TC0yHpBRQ6K14MMDZjNHE8Y94AOysd4V1_wt16qwznOsurM3oZPUsjUMC_0Kgnb3uZqByWh-BOVVLcIKS81oWHYj/s2048/DSC02981.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHD0BJLxim0fO75dIlxYLwnf4nYZlHh8Ks1TOf98Oisu1TC0yHpBRQ6K14MMDZjNHE8Y94AOysd4V1_wt16qwznOsurM3oZPUsjUMC_0Kgnb3uZqByWh-BOVVLcIKS81oWHYj/s320/DSC02981.JPG" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvFmymhCXhAKShgMXM4G21EsnrIES22ZsbCynXyYSNscEHhAHXXr-ggPc2c_wRWbhU5pWIu_Y-IvC5Vr3BJS7U5Gn4ayO5l1VtckGm6hfidVN0dPyVMunEkW0vUZqTGr_9Fz1/s2048/DSC02972.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvFmymhCXhAKShgMXM4G21EsnrIES22ZsbCynXyYSNscEHhAHXXr-ggPc2c_wRWbhU5pWIu_Y-IvC5Vr3BJS7U5Gn4ayO5l1VtckGm6hfidVN0dPyVMunEkW0vUZqTGr_9Fz1/s320/DSC02972.JPG" width="213" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We did other more entertaining things this summer: like
spending a week at Grandma’s farm, going to the pool, and having a great time
in Minneapolis on our family vacation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You stepped out of your comfort zone and went to tennis camp with a
whole bunch of high school girls you didn’t know well or at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was no surprise to watch you make the best
of everything.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghatOrGIndd269vAbIkCuF8MTaIAbOS8KqoLZoLLoja9jrU08bqJX6vXVLGqR13xN0lplxgkZp4BLuvpTJHHjyoA3VNUKma8H9LlfeRBOYytEvS20LLAjY16Kxxkvf3o91ItT/s2048/DSC03230.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1362" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghatOrGIndd269vAbIkCuF8MTaIAbOS8KqoLZoLLoja9jrU08bqJX6vXVLGqR13xN0lplxgkZp4BLuvpTJHHjyoA3VNUKma8H9LlfeRBOYytEvS20LLAjY16Kxxkvf3o91ItT/s320/DSC03230.JPG" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdf9j9X0URwCWgn6u_q7V8T3di6iNJ0I50wY-wzq8Mz3VYtLHb_xJeDkuzXq6aFNddhictWUHJlzenPCLLYlnBHchUNSpTcMafLSGgcXmv60wfMhaGoNNw_yDj3jk8VqXPHZ0O/s2048/DSC03261.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdf9j9X0URwCWgn6u_q7V8T3di6iNJ0I50wY-wzq8Mz3VYtLHb_xJeDkuzXq6aFNddhictWUHJlzenPCLLYlnBHchUNSpTcMafLSGgcXmv60wfMhaGoNNw_yDj3jk8VqXPHZ0O/s320/DSC03261.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJoJDAJR4n39WRTWaW7Rb78KzTxUs8WdqRm4QxqZjWvW0FTr2CmxLhONIO5BK60Qh5_J57YL6UhPQXuYtzE3JrI7pLVQqjFQynHhDHJRIX1eIfXEqyYrPtY0WPtd3zVmF0Yjn/s2048/DSC03280.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJoJDAJR4n39WRTWaW7Rb78KzTxUs8WdqRm4QxqZjWvW0FTr2CmxLhONIO5BK60Qh5_J57YL6UhPQXuYtzE3JrI7pLVQqjFQynHhDHJRIX1eIfXEqyYrPtY0WPtd3zVmF0Yjn/s320/DSC03280.JPG" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRo3-EaVhNGkqSczBF6qSbyBKcynG_WxVwapFr10ze7NGQacfp_Pmbz6KmjRgw6hkVGSx3LPHM6SsM9BcLAxcgW9ub4-d69ZIHxeDOAAx-6TH_nLDms5N5-dfRoUt1OCGaOqh0/s6000/DSC03330.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRo3-EaVhNGkqSczBF6qSbyBKcynG_WxVwapFr10ze7NGQacfp_Pmbz6KmjRgw6hkVGSx3LPHM6SsM9BcLAxcgW9ub4-d69ZIHxeDOAAx-6TH_nLDms5N5-dfRoUt1OCGaOqh0/s320/DSC03330.JPG" width="213" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Starting high school was a major adjustment for all of
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You went from this kid who depended
on us to this kid who could drive herself to and from school every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We handed you a set of keys and your first
cell phone and it seemed like all of a sudden you left every tiny scrap
of little girl behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrd2bLieT1Ld5Jjm2ClnY_2MWHYwHZyvYJHAhIy35lVi-YzrUgTGzJLuADTAkt-WGOiGw6y4PXMRqpSTuK7XDqCVlM57Uvjh12_PsHOgBPQ6xbnrlIN54vHXl_teJeU9tIvint/s2048/DSC03421.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1461" data-original-width="2048" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrd2bLieT1Ld5Jjm2ClnY_2MWHYwHZyvYJHAhIy35lVi-YzrUgTGzJLuADTAkt-WGOiGw6y4PXMRqpSTuK7XDqCVlM57Uvjh12_PsHOgBPQ6xbnrlIN54vHXl_teJeU9tIvint/s320/DSC03421.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6h8InJGG5CsX_IX88n_PDhrhHcjvCW7uwHBvu19QnrmFHmJV6cc4ZUstURR2sYsuSyXN2boUF66nA0ojx8TY3MUqkmucJyFPApNCrZHUbGchbep28-aPQ_Uv_byyVHjMW8Uy/s2048/DSC03419.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1451" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6h8InJGG5CsX_IX88n_PDhrhHcjvCW7uwHBvu19QnrmFHmJV6cc4ZUstURR2sYsuSyXN2boUF66nA0ojx8TY3MUqkmucJyFPApNCrZHUbGchbep28-aPQ_Uv_byyVHjMW8Uy/s320/DSC03419.JPG" width="227" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We don’t find you playing with legos anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We knew the day would come but it still
surprises me to see you lounging in a chair reading a book rather than piecing
together some wonderful creation of plastic bricks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You consume books at a frightening pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love the heart-break stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You often read the end of the book before you
should because you just want to know what happens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We watch a lot of movies and you dislike most
of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you still love love love
board games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Family game night is your
absolute favorite thing – maybe because you win most of the time.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyjGBYNnD7y4oHmirI3NFunJFEdCGgrJP3PKUlhmYgVdNxld56ZC2WfslQLSX3Ti5Uwr1bogwTeSoaMII8u3lzjtRnX6ulkjKeo3K6DLrtPX2kM06ji2GKbpIgvLqrHJXGdg5/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_4587.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyjGBYNnD7y4oHmirI3NFunJFEdCGgrJP3PKUlhmYgVdNxld56ZC2WfslQLSX3Ti5Uwr1bogwTeSoaMII8u3lzjtRnX6ulkjKeo3K6DLrtPX2kM06ji2GKbpIgvLqrHJXGdg5/s320/thumbnail_IMG_4587.jpg" width="240" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Along with high school comes a lot of other
adjustments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I can’t really fathom
is how you handle everything with such grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You don’t let little things get to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You are never ever involved in any drama whatsoever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You also choose to be involved and I just
love this about you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You refuse to sit
on the sidelines while recognizing that you don’t like spotlights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You want to be in the mix but not the star of
the show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You want to be part of the fun
but not the center of attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
seems like you are genuinely enjoying high school and it’s just fun to watch
you enjoy the new experiences.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrR67c-N39ODgUicnKCte8N8OW9pmuZ6M5C5vbZstENgB4r2n6asNyYbVLHGAEvPCqxRgv_1qURZtXHb_t9w_89lvkys360zdOc55roQNemroq9ehDmRoiRqtFIch8q8Z080le/s2048/DSC03678.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1454" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrR67c-N39ODgUicnKCte8N8OW9pmuZ6M5C5vbZstENgB4r2n6asNyYbVLHGAEvPCqxRgv_1qURZtXHb_t9w_89lvkys360zdOc55roQNemroq9ehDmRoiRqtFIch8q8Z080le/s320/DSC03678.JPG" width="227" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We can’t talk about you and not mention music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your talents on trumpet are impressive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes auditions really wreak havoc on
your nerves – but you are able to easily move on afterward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You continue to play songs on the piano and
trumpet by ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve heard more movie
theme songs in our house and that always makes me smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You also sing on praise team at church with
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love how much you love playing
music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZunahvep8RvofyDXoRr7w647gL9j-fZMgPJx2Ev0O49vFn59XQNh4FAyIi9Fvja3sgSAYZX_1oOB-_K_Uqa6V9xgXlMSGpGK7UqRhbkXBQU05cyhhyRZ-iEGIqmZoJSZuiFj/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_4710.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1280" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZunahvep8RvofyDXoRr7w647gL9j-fZMgPJx2Ev0O49vFn59XQNh4FAyIi9Fvja3sgSAYZX_1oOB-_K_Uqa6V9xgXlMSGpGK7UqRhbkXBQU05cyhhyRZ-iEGIqmZoJSZuiFj/s320/thumbnail_IMG_4710.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrSJxCuXzdF4chQu2FUhpxg4XwPZj-hZjT5r9QIgiYXNzZPeA9Z37Q6LzWL4AVZdDxjVgHr5lttiLH9r0DGINlZpg22x0cSwn_Lzz4JYedgPGUOBmP60AzT4iuE-k3Ayx4JJ9/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_4641.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrSJxCuXzdF4chQu2FUhpxg4XwPZj-hZjT5r9QIgiYXNzZPeA9Z37Q6LzWL4AVZdDxjVgHr5lttiLH9r0DGINlZpg22x0cSwn_Lzz4JYedgPGUOBmP60AzT4iuE-k3Ayx4JJ9/s320/thumbnail_IMG_4641.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_u1R-aF1X7drFzRdRbP8R6xqdJz-pEJBbyi-zvIYQpknQWbAXS08Kr761taV35x41k8GVXkSMsMF0DNGHjj_RJ79V1IFbXOyli7U6HNGO3CdlU4gqoCm8eDDTMT01Q4CdcdyP/s960/thumbnail_IMG_4642.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_u1R-aF1X7drFzRdRbP8R6xqdJz-pEJBbyi-zvIYQpknQWbAXS08Kr761taV35x41k8GVXkSMsMF0DNGHjj_RJ79V1IFbXOyli7U6HNGO3CdlU4gqoCm8eDDTMT01Q4CdcdyP/s320/thumbnail_IMG_4642.jpg" width="320" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your favorite things are popcorn (obsessed), YouTube,
sweatshirts, reading, sleeping in, tennis, trumpet and piano.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are Maddie’s best friend and Hunter’s
greatest cheerleader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve never lost
a game of Settlers of Catan (gr).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
like smoothies, cinnamon twist donuts and life saver gummies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You give good fashion advice even when its
not really wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPkyQhHeW13pzABpJrPdRwkXRm5dT0QPkHJFOC6ObZ_dP0lX0f4CV9zAvl86DdhS-NTzFGueu59AdSCuTSW8JB8Xv0cu5GgdgQPdLdKLs4NmbVg1rrKXoShJDrB3_HqIiOK-u/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_4735.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPkyQhHeW13pzABpJrPdRwkXRm5dT0QPkHJFOC6ObZ_dP0lX0f4CV9zAvl86DdhS-NTzFGueu59AdSCuTSW8JB8Xv0cu5GgdgQPdLdKLs4NmbVg1rrKXoShJDrB3_HqIiOK-u/s320/thumbnail_IMG_4735.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlkhUhrjmLtyQcwYbyQYQ3WY5FsuCKVxqWXkIxoRl0NfenbpsB5-9Oj3EAUIA1lKeCWEsTCeKGM-yU_yFApg9KD2sd29VzootsYgQRa_ZdfCdaLM3yepIB9pkF2fF0cZUvS30/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_4825.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlkhUhrjmLtyQcwYbyQYQ3WY5FsuCKVxqWXkIxoRl0NfenbpsB5-9Oj3EAUIA1lKeCWEsTCeKGM-yU_yFApg9KD2sd29VzootsYgQRa_ZdfCdaLM3yepIB9pkF2fF0cZUvS30/s320/thumbnail_IMG_4825.jpg" width="240" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I hope I will always remember how gentle 14-year-old Reagan
was with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This past year your Grandpa
passed away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there were a lot of
times I needed my family to be patient and understanding with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were times I would cry over something
ridiculous (Christmas light frustrations), but you would just gently remind me
that “it was okay” or that “it was just a bad moment”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You forgive so easily, and I admire that
immensely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know how you are so
patient when I am so often a poor model of that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It must be the work of the Holy Spirit,
molding and shaping you into such a gentle soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKzulek5fLM6JXd4OEJnEYpuUGSmrhAEaIo7YVimg8zwF11liO3riPrsVV6vSfZ6jQvYXvQFu2Sd_WnKNyAPtdLkQ7Qy0EtEhgQ1sAivonDbFEzAa-k5H-h_-iRo6_uwYdk2F/s2048/DSC03744.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKzulek5fLM6JXd4OEJnEYpuUGSmrhAEaIo7YVimg8zwF11liO3riPrsVV6vSfZ6jQvYXvQFu2Sd_WnKNyAPtdLkQ7Qy0EtEhgQ1sAivonDbFEzAa-k5H-h_-iRo6_uwYdk2F/s320/DSC03744.JPG" width="213" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKAgSayBDPnOniM-6PIbyeZE2IK69atfhjc0_iweH7MPDVW2LQEjoeoU6RwAx-DfQpiU3JW9lX0Wl3YTN1FkGV17N1Lu819ItFlXORpnPTIYRrEB_fx9YnT3Rsxu42Wr5lVWl/s2048/DSC03692.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1461" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKAgSayBDPnOniM-6PIbyeZE2IK69atfhjc0_iweH7MPDVW2LQEjoeoU6RwAx-DfQpiU3JW9lX0Wl3YTN1FkGV17N1Lu819ItFlXORpnPTIYRrEB_fx9YnT3Rsxu42Wr5lVWl/s320/DSC03692.JPG" width="228" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You are not just a stunningly beautiful girl who is fun to
be around and easy to parent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are a
peaceful presence, a calm comforter, a gentle humor, a quiet leader, a joyful
friend, and a compassionate teacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
look at you and I would not change one single thing about you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not one thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are not a perfect person, but you have so
greatly exceeded every expectation I ever had for my daughter that I know it
must be the work of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know you believe,
and you trust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know you belong to him
out of your own choosing because of how you act and who you are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watch you and I see how Jesus would act.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe he has been pursuing your heart all
these 15 years and I trust him completely to continue to give you hope and a
future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEily2o1OIZuoq_f8Yvp7E4b7ewfII1hhStW-zNfGFjt83yUXj2CDf1PuBt3cKXbJlR_xFMTAriVGwDOpHOuymaMwQTw3fbvQq34slWzWRyVoVBuDJdK9FPUKLfLnRCUr_wdmFmE/s2048/DSC03708.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1636" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEily2o1OIZuoq_f8Yvp7E4b7ewfII1hhStW-zNfGFjt83yUXj2CDf1PuBt3cKXbJlR_xFMTAriVGwDOpHOuymaMwQTw3fbvQq34slWzWRyVoVBuDJdK9FPUKLfLnRCUr_wdmFmE/s320/DSC03708.JPG" width="256" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I love you, Reagan!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Love,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">~Mom<o:p></o:p></p>Miz Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334494599805008376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219573.post-65473344151131116732021-05-13T06:00:00.001-05:002021-05-13T06:00:00.223-05:00Happy 12th Birthday, Maddie!<p> Dear Maddie,</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p>Today you are twelve years old. My memories of that last day before you were
born are foggy. I know your Dad and I
had just gotten over being sick. Somehow
your sister had avoided getting the bug.
And as I dropped her off with friends on the way to the hospital, I
thought about how our lives were about to change so drastically. I wasn’t so sure any of us were ready for
that. Twelve years later I just smile at those memories. We couldn’t have known
what a perfect fit, what an essential piece, you would be for our family.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4NlZFNlGYu7kunzqNCY9n6LnugS3OLL7teThW70-PXARGTWH8p15XXUcAAFiXWZ8da2vCSArYiRDrnNxKIXNgELIdCJhCuFiavMgr_ZNSdmZuYUXNFMaj9K3tm-qYJlQlWlC/s2048/30697-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4NlZFNlGYu7kunzqNCY9n6LnugS3OLL7teThW70-PXARGTWH8p15XXUcAAFiXWZ8da2vCSArYiRDrnNxKIXNgELIdCJhCuFiavMgr_ZNSdmZuYUXNFMaj9K3tm-qYJlQlWlC/s320/30697-001.jpg" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0asnJqYWxU6LEzdT3DRKiabx3QYi6KnMgDBFy4KP55W1JOwsxwO1rwZfQUKDdJL8GDWWOoFrUz8K5CC2DBlaYxAKqSZl94ctQfGkm8dCvXVQ-bxGwjV8k0n9PR88pb6J8Wem8/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_3553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0asnJqYWxU6LEzdT3DRKiabx3QYi6KnMgDBFy4KP55W1JOwsxwO1rwZfQUKDdJL8GDWWOoFrUz8K5CC2DBlaYxAKqSZl94ctQfGkm8dCvXVQ-bxGwjV8k0n9PR88pb6J8Wem8/s320/thumbnail_IMG_3553.jpg" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You are, first and foremost, a sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know its not easy being the middle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are second in line behind that big sister
of yours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To make matters worse you also
have to look out for and entertain your younger brother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It often grates on your nerves that you do
not get to do all the things Reagan gets to do and Hunter gets away with “everything”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess maybe you might think you are invisible,
but nothing could be further from the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There’s just nothing quiet or under-the-radar where you are concerned in
our home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have this great way of
fitting in so well and yet being so distinctly different from your siblings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNfBaarrY_tMRbELwI-dlyS7Q6RLz_PZGcTBWhCOStsANekFPpy_CyWJBD0c-szMuEM5S73WamrgkZVjk4OYfYFcF3XfhKKsR4yePx4EByObF6sFo_0K50__mrCLF_utH5IQZ/s6000/DSC02075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNfBaarrY_tMRbELwI-dlyS7Q6RLz_PZGcTBWhCOStsANekFPpy_CyWJBD0c-szMuEM5S73WamrgkZVjk4OYfYFcF3XfhKKsR4yePx4EByObF6sFo_0K50__mrCLF_utH5IQZ/s320/DSC02075.JPG" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgUzfQL6YBr6kY_cJvF56U2YNFsJinjLudiBT6y55LxH3qgGxz34VL32X8-3lIhu48GbiJYvksusfPSmbllmBvrmtIks5Yomff8CU21ruNWgkDTEKGVrymknpfcNmPmlQMhbG/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_3353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgUzfQL6YBr6kY_cJvF56U2YNFsJinjLudiBT6y55LxH3qgGxz34VL32X8-3lIhu48GbiJYvksusfPSmbllmBvrmtIks5Yomff8CU21ruNWgkDTEKGVrymknpfcNmPmlQMhbG/s320/thumbnail_IMG_3353.jpg" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZylHMJZLgn_UeHyzJNdxD9FCIHfZNU5aWs9rywPN5jD0S7pVu2gnLD398606iRge58xZIb4AMAezXmJrvdVUkL5YdFXLkxw7eW2D3t1UBv5HfyHOe_4YgxWguvKYdTvSSDDy/s2048/DSC02963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZylHMJZLgn_UeHyzJNdxD9FCIHfZNU5aWs9rywPN5jD0S7pVu2gnLD398606iRge58xZIb4AMAezXmJrvdVUkL5YdFXLkxw7eW2D3t1UBv5HfyHOe_4YgxWguvKYdTvSSDDy/s320/DSC02963.JPG" width="320" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You finished out your 5<sup>th</sup> grade school year with
virtual learning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we spent the
summer swimming and doing all of our favorite summer things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it was time for school to start back up,
you never once complained about wearing a mask or social distancing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You just went with it because you were happy
to be back with friends at school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You made
some new friendships this 6<sup>th</sup> grade year. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your friends are wonderful, Jesus-loving kids
and I am so proud of how you handle friendships.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NZZ7qhwXA7lqjMZU-Mrvfcaio-z3x8kaQCawp5dr7O4w1dpvNIEC31s-Dtc8CjnipenHNc9gpmS1aPgGvP4E43n2UzPcMlBiI2HdcqWCcSjmg91_U0KF5LoQ54lAByGh3XoC/s2048/DSC01382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1357" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NZZ7qhwXA7lqjMZU-Mrvfcaio-z3x8kaQCawp5dr7O4w1dpvNIEC31s-Dtc8CjnipenHNc9gpmS1aPgGvP4E43n2UzPcMlBiI2HdcqWCcSjmg91_U0KF5LoQ54lAByGh3XoC/s320/DSC01382.JPG" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOwr5oSx9eJ2etDu2S-UyW_oXOItZBTLQYFn73GtTLOcK3sIazyY8fC5yg4Fp3lH7GuwpzszhrLaxZkW9-GOP7lbrI4jhVjxoiZ-sWj7phEa4zjnokmoqEQu5KiT-XTJofMGW/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_3948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOwr5oSx9eJ2etDu2S-UyW_oXOItZBTLQYFn73GtTLOcK3sIazyY8fC5yg4Fp3lH7GuwpzszhrLaxZkW9-GOP7lbrI4jhVjxoiZ-sWj7phEa4zjnokmoqEQu5KiT-XTJofMGW/s320/thumbnail_IMG_3948.jpg" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0lCIqnFmqG8wPUrp-W2-5MzBwNO0Rnbe2JzncomDdP_WwaZ5LdbwNkEKx0Zr5qYldg8OT8SpJ6Y-DDo63WnrfhHaOS2PiQKj9NEpdAdteD4WfN14zr79YDKLWEKnVE48bzza/s6000/DSC01421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0lCIqnFmqG8wPUrp-W2-5MzBwNO0Rnbe2JzncomDdP_WwaZ5LdbwNkEKx0Zr5qYldg8OT8SpJ6Y-DDo63WnrfhHaOS2PiQKj9NEpdAdteD4WfN14zr79YDKLWEKnVE48bzza/s320/DSC01421.JPG" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4IAVHuli8E84cztqA6Soh18BzMDM0mTGV8JJB2B9OCixHt_RpWNJ9bqQ2b2yP7xnL8Tg2Zr6ybZ80b_Pa1ElDcar_cyTx4a8qLfXqUa74_f2fFcLLioMFuwFl_-uRsj4HPIH/s2048/DSC02981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4IAVHuli8E84cztqA6Soh18BzMDM0mTGV8JJB2B9OCixHt_RpWNJ9bqQ2b2yP7xnL8Tg2Zr6ybZ80b_Pa1ElDcar_cyTx4a8qLfXqUa74_f2fFcLLioMFuwFl_-uRsj4HPIH/s320/DSC02981.JPG" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You play flute and enjoy it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You play piano and ask frequently if you can quit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Music is something you like to listen to or
sing along with but not something you enjoy from an instrumental perspective
nearly as much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You sang a solo and a duet
for Fine Arts and I was pretty impressed with how you overcame your intense
nervousness and gave a lovely performance both times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Drama is still something you would love to
pursue someday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nBU7uY7lLOFrMFt7Kn3Mpsi-ol9oBBDJ5KLvo4XaxDJ1vTK8g42lJeR218TAIqVRhMczvd1zB5F4o3nPzeohOAWpK_cnF95TcDhcb7riYsbzvQt1HaCLCFYd6ENL8q2YC0Lw/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_4032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nBU7uY7lLOFrMFt7Kn3Mpsi-ol9oBBDJ5KLvo4XaxDJ1vTK8g42lJeR218TAIqVRhMczvd1zB5F4o3nPzeohOAWpK_cnF95TcDhcb7riYsbzvQt1HaCLCFYd6ENL8q2YC0Lw/s320/thumbnail_IMG_4032.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsJ9nThmbacBynI4TLg5VkCLaXeBweS6zA2kh0WdwY1UhSGFJdDz8Dw9aqT8kx91AJi8UaMegYpmtQ0PfQ1AYcUGU4i2QSGeVA70vllvAMvmOm364qfAZs9GIg5l19BCcwbRB/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_3944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsJ9nThmbacBynI4TLg5VkCLaXeBweS6zA2kh0WdwY1UhSGFJdDz8Dw9aqT8kx91AJi8UaMegYpmtQ0PfQ1AYcUGU4i2QSGeVA70vllvAMvmOm364qfAZs9GIg5l19BCcwbRB/s320/thumbnail_IMG_3944.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TNR8denCjbTNxOEizv4fc4cH1ZIRfCZduYfn447UbRojPSbAkHHHkjotR08_Ph8GA-aueucO7ADiBMCHfY_GZsqLMpfPzIsQjdk31sRjuHECAhNwvjld-vQ9hJQnOETYub04/s2048/DSC01253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1363" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TNR8denCjbTNxOEizv4fc4cH1ZIRfCZduYfn447UbRojPSbAkHHHkjotR08_Ph8GA-aueucO7ADiBMCHfY_GZsqLMpfPzIsQjdk31sRjuHECAhNwvjld-vQ9hJQnOETYub04/s320/DSC01253.JPG" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You are our basketball player.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You had the best time playing basketball this
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I watched you, I just sat there
and shook my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are tenacious!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are not the star player, but you are an
important part of the team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You put
forth 100% of your best effort every game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You work hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet, you have
fun with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I love that about you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70TOc27wx30tG8H1bBYJUlRTteW8jyVFTaugKQxOfhbMSA268YEGuSxqkGUmRSeVoSfXyLh-o7Alcc3eNjCVwekXGkUR19wCabg6C9j8y9RtuimrnBCfponwlmoGcCzAZ3X0V/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_4172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70TOc27wx30tG8H1bBYJUlRTteW8jyVFTaugKQxOfhbMSA268YEGuSxqkGUmRSeVoSfXyLh-o7Alcc3eNjCVwekXGkUR19wCabg6C9j8y9RtuimrnBCfponwlmoGcCzAZ3X0V/s320/thumbnail_IMG_4172.jpg" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5UFo0MWBu0P920P_EOWH2zkRPJgiKR5IqLLmlim2HBYKo4irjddKXOtqTc8XW-xGeQCNXJbfajFcuqhZengWznUfhQRcbZXvAanGOwiE0M4opgN94F65DE8Sj3iBeHPDFySf/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_3517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5UFo0MWBu0P920P_EOWH2zkRPJgiKR5IqLLmlim2HBYKo4irjddKXOtqTc8XW-xGeQCNXJbfajFcuqhZengWznUfhQRcbZXvAanGOwiE0M4opgN94F65DE8Sj3iBeHPDFySf/s320/thumbnail_IMG_3517.jpg" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have a tendency to underestimate yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So frequently you freak out before a
performance or an event only to then go on to perform amazingly well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes so well that we are all a bit surprised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsiWdSY6C0_29Xgs3IPNPHc7yHXFZng9j28SvHpUCn60B6HSN4NLjBWAxx9oFcxA8J1z6hRGexuHlb0n5pdh4Q-iNMEE__TeM8XzPwQASMzAVSs7YfwcJJlRmfAXEDEMpf4Cmr/s6000/DSC01094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsiWdSY6C0_29Xgs3IPNPHc7yHXFZng9j28SvHpUCn60B6HSN4NLjBWAxx9oFcxA8J1z6hRGexuHlb0n5pdh4Q-iNMEE__TeM8XzPwQASMzAVSs7YfwcJJlRmfAXEDEMpf4Cmr/s320/DSC01094.JPG" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDEOe6g7NYkaU8vuEnm1HLRxG0ZIZ1hstGrILZ4FVSExvllUpgsQ4pd_SFFCxJz9-MQV45Ka5BrJlMPeKmWuDCXqvfGcJ4EiwJdHrLsodvgOQVpu0kgHiWi854tF0lEX4yHzj/s2048/DSC02060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDEOe6g7NYkaU8vuEnm1HLRxG0ZIZ1hstGrILZ4FVSExvllUpgsQ4pd_SFFCxJz9-MQV45Ka5BrJlMPeKmWuDCXqvfGcJ4EiwJdHrLsodvgOQVpu0kgHiWi854tF0lEX4yHzj/s320/DSC02060.JPG" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You love little kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Your favorite thing is to babysit toddlers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we are at family gatherings, I know that
you are wherever the littlest ones are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
will turn around to see you carrying one around or following them with a great
big smile on your face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m guessing
your little cousins think you’re pretty fun because you absolutely live to
entertain them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AoCYvZ7sbI5d4-oA31CSEqDm7CKLDRmz29nyUokVidgGICE6Yrg3t9qjaPm7FSLDswhzuahty9pvAWREFoxO3RauSs43TyvSt5lu2suLHt_itZ3DgnwGttc4Z056Y6wr-3dt/s2048/DSC01056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1370" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AoCYvZ7sbI5d4-oA31CSEqDm7CKLDRmz29nyUokVidgGICE6Yrg3t9qjaPm7FSLDswhzuahty9pvAWREFoxO3RauSs43TyvSt5lu2suLHt_itZ3DgnwGttc4Z056Y6wr-3dt/s320/DSC01056.JPG" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You still love baking and drawing little cartoons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love nothing more than pandas and you are
physically and emotionally incapable of walking away from a panda stuffed animal in a store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love basketball, soccer
and swimming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love fashion and fun
clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have a strange talent for
interior decorating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have the best
laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You were not sad to get rid of
your braces a few weeks ago and you have the most beautiful smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love to tease your Dad when he’s trying
to be stern with you and you never fail in making him crack a smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love to leave little notes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love all animals and ask at least once a
week if we can get a puppy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are
convinced your stuffed animals have feelings and if we tease one you will burst
into tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBlirYCxl-CL2yORnWmbKO5SNoP_tQxrTjqozOirBexJzrsCp5F6toMEkTVzC-Kb4ghcJ2mDCDbth9ucRU_RIktNJviQqcyUxwLDY6E84cHL7cvWngrx8vlsfYyYp2zrUzsui/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_4215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBlirYCxl-CL2yORnWmbKO5SNoP_tQxrTjqozOirBexJzrsCp5F6toMEkTVzC-Kb4ghcJ2mDCDbth9ucRU_RIktNJviQqcyUxwLDY6E84cHL7cvWngrx8vlsfYyYp2zrUzsui/s320/thumbnail_IMG_4215.jpg" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgUM_dZYmts8QvQPZQJHE9trjo0PuDAW2AKu1FmfEXyFk6lndexKK4ndQMn4azFLfxNolszIHmgK1V9d4-KWIsTGkW4AsOaqm6mNny2joRVCzltBQkXKPnsHgokl9vxvfebYG/s1280/thumbnail_IMG_3428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgUM_dZYmts8QvQPZQJHE9trjo0PuDAW2AKu1FmfEXyFk6lndexKK4ndQMn4azFLfxNolszIHmgK1V9d4-KWIsTGkW4AsOaqm6mNny2joRVCzltBQkXKPnsHgokl9vxvfebYG/s320/thumbnail_IMG_3428.jpg" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXNTrHZwpiyH561-waH2ZKrJhI-xUsYniTZhlMr46Vi9Z4ACrFvTyKAWwG9t3XLY2jYZpUmGxYGmDpKUpO_9c0SEEa7Bb9zWikoJGXi2TtYI5f0WBIFvu_B8yer3qZktSkP0b/s2048/DSC01341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1642" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXNTrHZwpiyH561-waH2ZKrJhI-xUsYniTZhlMr46Vi9Z4ACrFvTyKAWwG9t3XLY2jYZpUmGxYGmDpKUpO_9c0SEEa7Bb9zWikoJGXi2TtYI5f0WBIFvu_B8yer3qZktSkP0b/s320/DSC01341.JPG" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This February, you lost your Grandpa Vande Voort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a quick battle, he passed away early on
a Saturday morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You had a basketball
tournament that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your Dad and I
offered that you could just sit this one out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But you wanted to play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we
were okay with that because we knew how much your Grandpa loved that you played
basketball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We weren’t more than a few steps inside the
door when your coach found you and wrapped you up in a hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then a sweet teammate came over and just
held you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The team knew what had
happened and without saying a lot of words they offered their comfort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You cried quietly at their kindnesses that
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you played.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you made a basket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And somehow it all felt right - that we were
all right where Grandpa would have wanted us to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The funeral was a few days later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was hard for all of us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it was also a beautiful reminder that the
best is yet to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a gentle
comfort in knowing that Grandpa was with Jesus and that one day we would see
him again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your Grandpa loved you
so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loved your sense of humor (much
like his own).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loved that you played
basketball and soccer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loved that you
were fun to tease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loved that you
love animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKm8antzJ81cUHm1XxceQgakCC5t_xru6n0fbrmR3IW5d2bK8cBilILBTVUjN09Q6woD50Oh2-Pw8HaNgy3JCmK8SD7uI3ybmZEO694w0angX5G9zij77ChijP8c9r2aqsmsv/s2048/DSC03001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1356" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKm8antzJ81cUHm1XxceQgakCC5t_xru6n0fbrmR3IW5d2bK8cBilILBTVUjN09Q6woD50Oh2-Pw8HaNgy3JCmK8SD7uI3ybmZEO694w0angX5G9zij77ChijP8c9r2aqsmsv/s320/DSC03001.JPG" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhcL6sIzZGfwMZRbkafd9KM2IMC-S39entk8frtD2MlLFzDG3bAiiySOkhlzFmufNWRg_UR7b66ewwe0ODPN3EtQArFrV-OExr5WJg-vKFU2qXt96K9OUv9ppqurc4O0fd7Hd/s2048/DSC00924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1369" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhcL6sIzZGfwMZRbkafd9KM2IMC-S39entk8frtD2MlLFzDG3bAiiySOkhlzFmufNWRg_UR7b66ewwe0ODPN3EtQArFrV-OExr5WJg-vKFU2qXt96K9OUv9ppqurc4O0fd7Hd/s320/DSC00924.JPG" width="320" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And I’m pretty sure that Grandpa would tell you the best
part about you, Maddie, is that you love Jesus. You live your life following in Jesus’
footsteps – showing love to people who aren’t always easy to love, being gentle
and kind, being compassionate and generous, being joyful and hope-filled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You live like you truly believe the best is
yet to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your priorities are just
right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your values are pure and
good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You live life with eager expectation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And even though you are not perfect, you know
you are deeply loved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilouLqADOLQhyphenhyphen_uBl_R05Oj7V9VXZSKt1Q-6lH1wG1s1KC7b6E3XPI-VFaE41cl9h_P1DBPdnfx6knOoZ4AYRyrFztnkON-AmUEV_3cUsrHsVRkD8i5T_z3N7-uiKKEIWBy8E/s2048/30684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilouLqADOLQhyphenhyphen_uBl_R05Oj7V9VXZSKt1Q-6lH1wG1s1KC7b6E3XPI-VFaE41cl9h_P1DBPdnfx6knOoZ4AYRyrFztnkON-AmUEV_3cUsrHsVRkD8i5T_z3N7-uiKKEIWBy8E/s320/30684.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2OIhC-aBR_1hwjlqKzsuZbPkyu-RIu7i5P268U5q5e9xTcVId-8XVAfufem58YCLv_HrJPoFvpDUxpTcMKgi-FA_kpBlLVlh_7OFl_60UkWLD0WZkSPAfngLJ5s2JO7d0f9y/s585/IMG_3334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="439" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2OIhC-aBR_1hwjlqKzsuZbPkyu-RIu7i5P268U5q5e9xTcVId-8XVAfufem58YCLv_HrJPoFvpDUxpTcMKgi-FA_kpBlLVlh_7OFl_60UkWLD0WZkSPAfngLJ5s2JO7d0f9y/s320/IMG_3334.jpg" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Twelve years ago I couldn’t have dreamed a girl so perfect
for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t have imagined or
written a story about a girl so full of life and joy and fierce love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’m not the One writing your story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get to read it and play a small part in
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that is a beautiful gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yxWSo3PfaW7U7FB708pU4Zq3X44B_OAAMJBI8FHURocgDVhwj0g2FBWezbd1-R8ZPJdQiJG7kreMi94XMPulLKcmIV-FE2gw-meZijuLoYB6ruYxUzYebirdAG3TU2jS0E5L/s2048/DSC01308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1628" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yxWSo3PfaW7U7FB708pU4Zq3X44B_OAAMJBI8FHURocgDVhwj0g2FBWezbd1-R8ZPJdQiJG7kreMi94XMPulLKcmIV-FE2gw-meZijuLoYB6ruYxUzYebirdAG3TU2jS0E5L/s320/DSC01308.JPG" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCcO3zYNs8eDvmnZ0UUYKTzvw5BvoCEdMFpFtvUChdhEFaA4HKMTpj5IUrR6ZCzERA3euYTgGBuK41lgtDB1b_pkG1TXR-rRC82aPImb-Vgi0IdIWrBWYiYJlOCmNRUOaTIYj/s2048/DSC02954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCcO3zYNs8eDvmnZ0UUYKTzvw5BvoCEdMFpFtvUChdhEFaA4HKMTpj5IUrR6ZCzERA3euYTgGBuK41lgtDB1b_pkG1TXR-rRC82aPImb-Vgi0IdIWrBWYiYJlOCmNRUOaTIYj/s320/DSC02954.JPG" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Happy Birthday Fluffy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I love you so!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">~Mom<o:p></o:p></p>Miz Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334494599805008376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219573.post-72410822501433387522020-12-17T11:47:00.003-06:002020-12-17T11:47:45.637-06:00Happy 8th Birthday, Hunter!<p>Dear Hunter,</p><p>Today you are eight years old! What a year it has been. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZROg0SMg-Kf84tYAp8vPuzWw2tFf12h7mJ80n1GqJ4YEjIc9-AhSjgLkgbyVI8gfDI8Xd3EPZSOSVOwZpRR3RhrtCO_4GfHK6hvF0Dr6rGZjDpaKX4qktavIsf3-OYi94e3q9/s2048/DSC01607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1634" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZROg0SMg-Kf84tYAp8vPuzWw2tFf12h7mJ80n1GqJ4YEjIc9-AhSjgLkgbyVI8gfDI8Xd3EPZSOSVOwZpRR3RhrtCO_4GfHK6hvF0Dr6rGZjDpaKX4qktavIsf3-OYi94e3q9/s320/DSC01607.JPG" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzX_1DcZZqgDieXWyhfnsT4xKY5AhKGAAET2gJLi-bJiNNVHuRy98tuTuNxe8rvmulgOpQc66Yz_6_Of7Hm75AOK40LuJ4eljx1KaKmfdzLyPHNQNpNFi_Q4o2Y-3YKDQeTJsT/s2048/DSC02049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzX_1DcZZqgDieXWyhfnsT4xKY5AhKGAAET2gJLi-bJiNNVHuRy98tuTuNxe8rvmulgOpQc66Yz_6_Of7Hm75AOK40LuJ4eljx1KaKmfdzLyPHNQNpNFi_Q4o2Y-3YKDQeTJsT/s320/DSC02049.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p>It wasn't too long after your last birthday that some major changes started happening in the world. When school went to virtual learning in March we had some adjusting to do. You had a great teacher but having me as an "onsite teaching assistant" in your "classroom" (bedroom) was good and bad. There were times we had fun playing some of those learning games or doing some of those worksheets. There were times that we butted heads. But overall, you actually really liked doing school at home and wouldn't have minded if it had to continue. And yet, you are having a blast in 2nd grade. You were placed with a wonderful, compassionate teacher who is so encouraging. You have great friends. I rarely hear negative words out of your mouth about school.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqGYfeA3-UYxbnmYMHa4r5kWosfszgRHXRmiXPJFyR5p5EJD3BLzDRr7KaxFbHILTODethxZ2YMVesC9QqjITh_BVwk0-x4FAJt9XPi5YhBD-GjEok9MAUV3Tk2LK7wftG3kE/s2048/DSC01387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqGYfeA3-UYxbnmYMHa4r5kWosfszgRHXRmiXPJFyR5p5EJD3BLzDRr7KaxFbHILTODethxZ2YMVesC9QqjITh_BVwk0-x4FAJt9XPi5YhBD-GjEok9MAUV3Tk2LK7wftG3kE/s320/DSC01387.JPG" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8DtT55bi7Hh8_ut311fFBo7Y7p4lcikegz0I4b87wIy9egMLKxdtPKL3FhlbJcMV_Up0J6VZuokuHYCDJqWFg4OqID3Qxxf1uq5VzNPzQ2jNFDUoBHos8RF0nEcEgURQ8fEoa/s2048/DSC00870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8DtT55bi7Hh8_ut311fFBo7Y7p4lcikegz0I4b87wIy9egMLKxdtPKL3FhlbJcMV_Up0J6VZuokuHYCDJqWFg4OqID3Qxxf1uq5VzNPzQ2jNFDUoBHos8RF0nEcEgURQ8fEoa/s320/DSC00870.JPG" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-C6jShRgbbKi3rRguUGWsNgdS2dZhBABgNLc0LGdQ4iZBo6SPPziPxftilpwkM2wncadJ1cMjPxw6kx0BunWDQ_ADPx5VzwUJiQdEwva2vGBQFLREwfCc2LIzYm_rsHSWa_Z/s6000/DSC00991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-C6jShRgbbKi3rRguUGWsNgdS2dZhBABgNLc0LGdQ4iZBo6SPPziPxftilpwkM2wncadJ1cMjPxw6kx0BunWDQ_ADPx5VzwUJiQdEwva2vGBQFLREwfCc2LIzYm_rsHSWa_Z/s320/DSC00991.JPG" /></a></p><p>You have really grown into a sports-loving boy in the last year. You love to play soccer in the fall and earned yourself a nickname in our family of "Blazing Speed". One of your favorite things is when someone (anyone) will take you out into the backyard to throw a football or kick a soccer ball around. You love to go across the street to the "field" and hit baseballs that your Dad pitches to you. We were bummed that what would have been your first Little League season this summer was cancelled. But you put in the practice time regardless. Lately you tell me how much you want to play football. This terrifies me but I just smile and nod. I love your endless supply of energy.'</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJYzJJansk2iHUfl1onRhrCVBo_iB6rgSvxbvwBJ6ae_Zqnv32Ng5CpHHURUKTfiRewKTxgSm5ll7C_iEQOPC2SWSWXefEALxIXlU99HpzY1Zss63d7NHWVMRm2IKxZ73kZa5/s6000/DSC00983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJYzJJansk2iHUfl1onRhrCVBo_iB6rgSvxbvwBJ6ae_Zqnv32Ng5CpHHURUKTfiRewKTxgSm5ll7C_iEQOPC2SWSWXefEALxIXlU99HpzY1Zss63d7NHWVMRm2IKxZ73kZa5/s320/DSC00983.JPG" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>On weekends you love to go to Bryce's farm with your Dad. The two of you do all kinds of things out there. I mistakenly assumed that you just went along and amused yourself with whatever while Dad and Uncle Bryce did the work. But then we trimmed bushes here at our house one weekend. You were right out there the entire time helping me. You hauled away all the brush and clipped branches. I was totally amazed. Your Dad informed me that when you are out at the farm you are there to work. He has you stacking firewood, feeding cattle, and "driving" the tractor (with his help). Here's my favorite thing about all that - you never complain. You have learned how to work and do something helpful without uttering a word of complaint. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs65I2MTlOfupRYJp1F6tHcslI1uTNd0s7PI_wFDCnF4tgqS06n5YYNMBl8dA45wCUYcuvKIuyRo1GByaaNhBoOyZxgLGeTgiQRv_IXnjq65MdXVx9bfgoRa9aFgXBVU704sKb/s2048/DSC00797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs65I2MTlOfupRYJp1F6tHcslI1uTNd0s7PI_wFDCnF4tgqS06n5YYNMBl8dA45wCUYcuvKIuyRo1GByaaNhBoOyZxgLGeTgiQRv_IXnjq65MdXVx9bfgoRa9aFgXBVU704sKb/s320/DSC00797.JPG" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p>Of course, some of that complaining sometimes comes out when it comes to playing with your sisters. For the most part the three of you get along very well. They are pretty amazing at crawling along the floor driving your toy tractors or playing legos with you. You and Reagan get along terrifically. She's so patient and considerate of you. You and Maddie have a bit more of a spicy relationship. And yet the two of you have so much fun together. I'm so glad you have those girls to cheer you on in your life. They truly want nothing but the very best for you. I hope that encouragement will always be the foundation of your relationships with them and never competition. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZ9TnwE1gVFm6cwl9PAATfAXKV2xTBE1zgjIzMcdju-v_8FVObLNvS3CvIs48DEOiy34Ah6QYgP_RNjnhhUEbj0Qw_8QqOAHSvT2MEkJpimn9wzQS6CcFjtRYy5uxMKjAvF0G/s6000/DSC00686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZ9TnwE1gVFm6cwl9PAATfAXKV2xTBE1zgjIzMcdju-v_8FVObLNvS3CvIs48DEOiy34Ah6QYgP_RNjnhhUEbj0Qw_8QqOAHSvT2MEkJpimn9wzQS6CcFjtRYy5uxMKjAvF0G/s320/DSC00686.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7W98OxGdWf9i0bn26PF8nM8na9z_FSg3a-XZ_OcMfIKDT40cJReWU31zqwuusJ94j-lwizFZFSHx7s0UzvHGdC0nTkicSH0KUQnjZyy57Y8_8d4g_Rp-dH7ClvC7NsUUBUrOq/s2048/DSC00778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1362" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7W98OxGdWf9i0bn26PF8nM8na9z_FSg3a-XZ_OcMfIKDT40cJReWU31zqwuusJ94j-lwizFZFSHx7s0UzvHGdC0nTkicSH0KUQnjZyy57Y8_8d4g_Rp-dH7ClvC7NsUUBUrOq/s320/DSC00778.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Your free time is spent playing with your farm toys or with legos. You also love reading graphic novels. To be clear, you are totally obsessed with Dog Man, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Investi Gators, and Awesome Friendly Kid books. I love to see you curled up on the couch with a book and blanket. But I also love to see you crawling around with your RED tractors, feeding your cows and discing lines into my carpeting. Every morning you blaze through all your routines so that you can have a whole hour to play before we leave for school. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3LX7cRfrozlvY5nYPAT0Nu1gpw1OeWX9nmuf5YIJdUA72ePoZ0-7K4j-k1z2-txLK8XEMD9LXGzrsevRPrgsBVo65JN3g1D7h9soS3c8veyfEI2Y5fPRuj4n0S64NCJ6aOWZ/s6000/DSC00620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3LX7cRfrozlvY5nYPAT0Nu1gpw1OeWX9nmuf5YIJdUA72ePoZ0-7K4j-k1z2-txLK8XEMD9LXGzrsevRPrgsBVo65JN3g1D7h9soS3c8veyfEI2Y5fPRuj4n0S64NCJ6aOWZ/s320/DSC00620.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p>You share your love of farm toys with your Grandpa Vande Voort. And this year has been hard for you because Grandpa has cancer. Your favorite place in the whole world is Grandpa's farm. The two of you love a good tractor ride. This summer when we were there we had no idea that our days at the farm were about to change. And I'm glad. I'm glad you got that hot dog roast in the yard, that time to play in their front yard, that tractor ride without any hint of sadness. We hope there will be more time yet, but I worry about what you will feel when that chapter comes to a close. I worry about how your little heart will feel when you lose Grandpa. When we first found out about the cancer, you cried yourself to sleep. You bring such joy to your Grandpa when you are at their house playing with all those farm toys. You don't do it to make him happy - you do it because it is what you love and that brings him joy. I hope you know that he loves you so much and hates the idea of not seeing you grow up.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYSNsXfxpxkc7ZxycM0JhDQJ5qOfJ-Ixbv2s_p_q5lRCQhAirxZJQ7GK0rpD4nKRCMieLUbI-ROIVgqDjNk1ng8qiZVU3tCjowRhCCtKdBGEac8YGPpLk2pGmTjOYxWA-tahu/s6000/DSC00720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYSNsXfxpxkc7ZxycM0JhDQJ5qOfJ-Ixbv2s_p_q5lRCQhAirxZJQ7GK0rpD4nKRCMieLUbI-ROIVgqDjNk1ng8qiZVU3tCjowRhCCtKdBGEac8YGPpLk2pGmTjOYxWA-tahu/s320/DSC00720.JPG" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ajyQPdxwvFm14CNzTvOw_EcOHmV1dXBFliH-YfJiSvXFnnvZaTDQvY-Gj4dQfRCeOvYI_ADhCd_ZURFrnv2TZNexRkJZlTNIZ6QIwY6Uwr5bxuOpTKS6RNoEgdRuFlbrZvMm/s2048/DSC02037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1454" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ajyQPdxwvFm14CNzTvOw_EcOHmV1dXBFliH-YfJiSvXFnnvZaTDQvY-Gj4dQfRCeOvYI_ADhCd_ZURFrnv2TZNexRkJZlTNIZ6QIwY6Uwr5bxuOpTKS6RNoEgdRuFlbrZvMm/s320/DSC02037.JPG" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIg_gEX1h6rJo9Uk9mMwG-iG1ENk1gJI8mTyqdBxu-CRHUTBOgrBX7bE4k4nzR4Qvt2JPTak_uSYCUiBQQVPd-lMmyzGsr7L5hclwWU6UjrYjs5QyWy7NUAijE2jRtundHjqfv/s2048/DSC00934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1370" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIg_gEX1h6rJo9Uk9mMwG-iG1ENk1gJI8mTyqdBxu-CRHUTBOgrBX7bE4k4nzR4Qvt2JPTak_uSYCUiBQQVPd-lMmyzGsr7L5hclwWU6UjrYjs5QyWy7NUAijE2jRtundHjqfv/s320/DSC00934.JPG" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2e5tB7_KrCzzprEEUDp5LzOiT4RC5T7DyV4wffi82ejbaphSAKpD9NraFeMMbqC_WfPi-WeANzn5e6zR9GdcQ2wHHw3AsldYjruEOnHTDdsoQK4F-TYQQ8R2EkPgIKP4pipKr/s2048/DSC00921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2e5tB7_KrCzzprEEUDp5LzOiT4RC5T7DyV4wffi82ejbaphSAKpD9NraFeMMbqC_WfPi-WeANzn5e6zR9GdcQ2wHHw3AsldYjruEOnHTDdsoQK4F-TYQQ8R2EkPgIKP4pipKr/s320/DSC00921.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJy5YcaqdpUcETIhpcx-xsH-R7S8JrMPDMg8EFhqvppwxfocv8tkO3fwzH0IYpHau7pwkG_F9wCYHV4fh_yBUJKmryeWDwel7WkSvi31XEdyWpJi4OKN5HzA2joTA_4PibgTQ/s2048/DSC02028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJy5YcaqdpUcETIhpcx-xsH-R7S8JrMPDMg8EFhqvppwxfocv8tkO3fwzH0IYpHau7pwkG_F9wCYHV4fh_yBUJKmryeWDwel7WkSvi31XEdyWpJi4OKN5HzA2joTA_4PibgTQ/s320/DSC02028.JPG" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p>You have an interesting personality. At school you can seem very serious. Adults try to coax a smile out of you (which isn't too hard). I think you just want to seem mature and not silly. You are silly with your sisters and with friends. But you still hate to be laughed at or teased. And beneath all that composure is a boy who feels things big. I cry a lot sometimes. And you are so wonderfully compassionate. You just come over and without saying any words you just hug me. I hope you always keep that compassion and kindness for others. Its one of the best things about you.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiby4wzqhn3DYxvkV18Odl-b9KeHKpy7d_1j2tWyUH2qs5fGHVpXYi7lg1Xfbi6GAbWFY1YyyT7JxKMqB3ZRYptaPCc6XDkYHKweEsSTIYSNbRQWUOd30JHLQ-toh4aWdGScKeN/s6000/DSC00701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiby4wzqhn3DYxvkV18Odl-b9KeHKpy7d_1j2tWyUH2qs5fGHVpXYi7lg1Xfbi6GAbWFY1YyyT7JxKMqB3ZRYptaPCc6XDkYHKweEsSTIYSNbRQWUOd30JHLQ-toh4aWdGScKeN/s320/DSC00701.JPG" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK07CJZCb8EZu-TVls_-7bivpjJNA7Qt8UjZbprAMh-W-_1-y6LicgDduBq4h8o7yw-CqTTS0hypPNtU3cUkeo_lASIV84ALfSFyFbmUx_OfWvxokMZWKe-fhL91x8vDvCmneo/s6000/DSC02016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK07CJZCb8EZu-TVls_-7bivpjJNA7Qt8UjZbprAMh-W-_1-y6LicgDduBq4h8o7yw-CqTTS0hypPNtU3cUkeo_lASIV84ALfSFyFbmUx_OfWvxokMZWKe-fhL91x8vDvCmneo/s320/DSC02016.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>You love tigers, legos, and RED tractors. You love books, matchbox cars and Lego Batman. You love huge puzzles, baking and donuts. You love football, soccer and baseball. You love tablet time, movie snacks and snuggly blankets. You are exactly the little boy we always wanted.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJo4higiGeCzr1n09SLZEhB7NI-mzp_Bq9DlDhgc8zkn6wYBsFZ4st-0gY160hhD39Lb7TdELfLb5L7uzUPMt0BV9RwK4uSJPwvxhOMNdt1iNGU-RFJUJsRQXgPET5nV-Pi4CF/s2048/DSC00829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJo4higiGeCzr1n09SLZEhB7NI-mzp_Bq9DlDhgc8zkn6wYBsFZ4st-0gY160hhD39Lb7TdELfLb5L7uzUPMt0BV9RwK4uSJPwvxhOMNdt1iNGU-RFJUJsRQXgPET5nV-Pi4CF/s320/DSC00829.JPG" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vs-F78ZlFYr8i2ukGqErjixxICmjnszv4DMW7BduEO2SxVJHvfTKvJJvhTDcT79enluPvQ46d4l9l0QaO-uCsa8o4os2j1K5ys24wRjp0ZnEKnK2K5gFMkJh6tecDoSi-ScZ/s6000/DSC00886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vs-F78ZlFYr8i2ukGqErjixxICmjnszv4DMW7BduEO2SxVJHvfTKvJJvhTDcT79enluPvQ46d4l9l0QaO-uCsa8o4os2j1K5ys24wRjp0ZnEKnK2K5gFMkJh6tecDoSi-ScZ/s320/DSC00886.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />It can't be easy to be the youngest in the family. Lots of times those big kids get to go off and do things that you don't. They get electronics before you do. They go to friends' houses more often. They get to stay up later. I know this is a struggle for you sometimes. But those big sisters love you like crazy. Anytime they bring home a treat, they share it with you. Anytime they go to do something fun they ask you about what you did while they were gone. They tuck you in every single night. Someday I think you will look back and see how awesome it was to be youngest - to be the one loved on by those older siblings. <p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hdKokMpRSt8_gTPs0KyXrJQWYI5IouPfTHZPqWTVH-XtLy5ebhJJG2oW6UBHOyH-Gdfm-h0DwpmTtJpZr6dzubvXVtEqL-h28q7wcFPJit0Brt14kp4LsF8Os_5cabqxPeDY/s2048/DSC00869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hdKokMpRSt8_gTPs0KyXrJQWYI5IouPfTHZPqWTVH-XtLy5ebhJJG2oW6UBHOyH-Gdfm-h0DwpmTtJpZr6dzubvXVtEqL-h28q7wcFPJit0Brt14kp4LsF8Os_5cabqxPeDY/s320/DSC00869.JPG" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQKpyDylzRr2CclduATuLKnTiF-Kr0s0a1ZTF-8Msh2__ZDHIIx0DsuJho0PnfClK2mhJGjjcDmUnBYDrKWHPtQbkwdUwV7z3O4TYsdKYdJQNCAW9aVLXjTDd-N8LgBn2v1fL/s6000/DSC01502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQKpyDylzRr2CclduATuLKnTiF-Kr0s0a1ZTF-8Msh2__ZDHIIx0DsuJho0PnfClK2mhJGjjcDmUnBYDrKWHPtQbkwdUwV7z3O4TYsdKYdJQNCAW9aVLXjTDd-N8LgBn2v1fL/s320/DSC01502.JPG" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDP6o45k_XWe-y2XC2AgXsF8sN1xFoQcltytXmHvteFkwu8V2B0O2V5zmmuD4TxTbMNV0JudyagUphfWHDm908bTEDEuK3wUzf74crDf7Z3P-TPQwFH21Es7lpdNV-fwxJnqXH/s2048/30684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDP6o45k_XWe-y2XC2AgXsF8sN1xFoQcltytXmHvteFkwu8V2B0O2V5zmmuD4TxTbMNV0JudyagUphfWHDm908bTEDEuK3wUzf74crDf7Z3P-TPQwFH21Es7lpdNV-fwxJnqXH/s320/30684.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQk6K5osOOsQsJ2cTYLdXq6WaT997cZB97Xww7wzvLpE0T2pjotK2Wpehhhbjg-K0_wi0sDVqyJ52BFlOOztlS7-mg-jYBhkJ9ibPiJ4wzmLoMigrRZ4k0u_1QWbL_gOXZEuY/s2048/DSC00884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQk6K5osOOsQsJ2cTYLdXq6WaT997cZB97Xww7wzvLpE0T2pjotK2Wpehhhbjg-K0_wi0sDVqyJ52BFlOOztlS7-mg-jYBhkJ9ibPiJ4wzmLoMigrRZ4k0u_1QWbL_gOXZEuY/s320/DSC00884.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p>Just before you were born we couldn't imagine what life would be like with you - our first boy. But now eight years later we cannot fathom our family without you. You really are the icing on the cake. We love your heart, your smile, your laughter, your kindness and your stories. We love every minute of all eight years with you. All of it is a gift from a Heavenly Father who loves you so very very much. I hope you spend your whole life chasing the wonder of that love.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsY0T9umBDbr0Llzrjnqr3nNfxp9SL-79ooOk6tjJWrAgfQAMGURyGmkg8EIKk0NDaQI6qsbRJqpK-XcO8JcN_X7B8okHqSVa5D10AIE1DuHT67SvQPKTRNuVgn8nOXZ6L_TZ/s2048/DSC02052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1357" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsY0T9umBDbr0Llzrjnqr3nNfxp9SL-79ooOk6tjJWrAgfQAMGURyGmkg8EIKk0NDaQI6qsbRJqpK-XcO8JcN_X7B8okHqSVa5D10AIE1DuHT67SvQPKTRNuVgn8nOXZ6L_TZ/s320/DSC02052.JPG" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NB74KNLaswa6Ao4Uj3QoazIVY7_-wUCkVQjC0Tf3QX385W81wI0hB-HVnW8zM7VB7xhrlRtv2dGrpC8C5QCMNI0l30Sf-B7BorEThpvH3PIs5fFvUh2u7Rf-DVciMIKMKYFI/s2048/DSC02067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NB74KNLaswa6Ao4Uj3QoazIVY7_-wUCkVQjC0Tf3QX385W81wI0hB-HVnW8zM7VB7xhrlRtv2dGrpC8C5QCMNI0l30Sf-B7BorEThpvH3PIs5fFvUh2u7Rf-DVciMIKMKYFI/s320/DSC02067.JPG" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p>I love you, Hot Rod.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiP24FeSFwNC8Xh2DYBK9eJAotnW6YFnw_oQaZkWdbB5TiPSJhCX4CUJHMS_It7qVNXD2bwTbVvVlVAQNwB-4nMh9phPhizogo0qxUDopbVOJ0O6pDEX8DbhCUcxeWksU3KlAk/s2048/30703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1385" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiP24FeSFwNC8Xh2DYBK9eJAotnW6YFnw_oQaZkWdbB5TiPSJhCX4CUJHMS_It7qVNXD2bwTbVvVlVAQNwB-4nMh9phPhizogo0qxUDopbVOJ0O6pDEX8DbhCUcxeWksU3KlAk/s320/30703.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Love,</p><p>Mom</p>Miz Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334494599805008376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219573.post-6495356844871714062020-11-22T06:30:00.002-06:002022-09-26T19:35:49.761-05:00Happy 14th Birthday, Reagan!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> Dear Reagan,<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZB72xjzG-zow825eMCKyhygVKAz81-2pYoEyfuZK82AIbkGmtQw-OAF53gH3Km3Tps4nxTInksTrq4ryjK_iyPhhjU57llakmMbMsDAfdwaBlkUZO6O4nETav4RIP3PoDwX6H/s2048/DSC00817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZB72xjzG-zow825eMCKyhygVKAz81-2pYoEyfuZK82AIbkGmtQw-OAF53gH3Km3Tps4nxTInksTrq4ryjK_iyPhhjU57llakmMbMsDAfdwaBlkUZO6O4nETav4RIP3PoDwX6H/s320/DSC00817.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidC83TGB1-UOSzVYC6aAGItQbzMrLjU0jvvpkADNB32iDMkfOXeKLWJj_r9LLsuVlbwjl4A9EuLd1ehTKDiGvQSx6j_edOPG4VXfWrF9qA7yUg9u7vXL7tjhvGgYkdBiSm4Grv/s2048/30696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1320" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidC83TGB1-UOSzVYC6aAGItQbzMrLjU0jvvpkADNB32iDMkfOXeKLWJj_r9LLsuVlbwjl4A9EuLd1ehTKDiGvQSx6j_edOPG4VXfWrF9qA7yUg9u7vXL7tjhvGgYkdBiSm4Grv/s320/30696.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Today is your 14<sup>th</sup> birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This might not go down as the best birthday
you have ever had because we are currently living through a pandemic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There will be no big party and no
friends over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we will still be
celebrating because 14 years of you is definitely something to celebrate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You are one extremely mature young woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure there are those moments where we shake
our heads at your less-than-awesome choices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But that really doesn’t happen all that often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead you are the kind of kid that really
thinks through choices and wants to make wise decisions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have a strong sense of right and wrong
and you keep your feet firmly planted on the path most likely to lead to your
success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4nFFaWWvL5OXokxVRWwPV2kONkoJZWiYtv0m6BdrKt62KXQ6_tplLdvYzSMgR_o_Ciz_2M_QOQ3g8iv4Gi-sbILa4PBHqwIze_8UWsl7asy8LEe0z-IhJAwheaijeoLHENFN/s2048/DSC01392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1358" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4nFFaWWvL5OXokxVRWwPV2kONkoJZWiYtv0m6BdrKt62KXQ6_tplLdvYzSMgR_o_Ciz_2M_QOQ3g8iv4Gi-sbILa4PBHqwIze_8UWsl7asy8LEe0z-IhJAwheaijeoLHENFN/s320/DSC01392.JPG" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One of the easiest places to see evidence of this is in your
academic life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never have to remind
you or coerce you to do your homework.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
know this is a big blessing in my life and I really appreciate how hard you
work each and every night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You get your
work done and you have a strong desire to do it very well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of this work ethic, you do well in
school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You meet challenges head on and
rarely get thrown for a loop by something new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are still trying to teach you to say, “I’m don’t know how to do that
YET” instead of saying “I’m not good at that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I hope you see how important it is to have humble confidence in yourself
and to not talk down about yourself when you are still a work in progress.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGCam736B3ixsFPXg2kT04VbKSudT1NDeSYpSbMDbFx_XzGR1AyNmBhV1t47R0ontca19QGpWIP6M72YZ1_kOnHYZglvIJyQeJmzfhXFmGLf1OwfKvOwYhgwCITaAk1yrAgSL5/s2048/DSC01401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGCam736B3ixsFPXg2kT04VbKSudT1NDeSYpSbMDbFx_XzGR1AyNmBhV1t47R0ontca19QGpWIP6M72YZ1_kOnHYZglvIJyQeJmzfhXFmGLf1OwfKvOwYhgwCITaAk1yrAgSL5/s320/DSC01401.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzseH6G6QRl-cP3CzVX6K2flFnYyW4NcHtWjbnDVudEoZIzwjM9g3nT8BKeLaw9nz-mMX_avXr1ybh3ERP0VYYebkgshdS4BCADwI76qUt0X1iD5KaFN88o-o-z9gq90TLDCFH/s1280/62639000434__C98115C3-05FF-464E-891D-4019835AD76A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzseH6G6QRl-cP3CzVX6K2flFnYyW4NcHtWjbnDVudEoZIzwjM9g3nT8BKeLaw9nz-mMX_avXr1ybh3ERP0VYYebkgshdS4BCADwI76qUt0X1iD5KaFN88o-o-z9gq90TLDCFH/s320/62639000434__C98115C3-05FF-464E-891D-4019835AD76A.JPG" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You continue to be our household musician.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a day goes by where we don’t hear you
plinking out some tune entirely by ear on the piano.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can read the music, of course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we frequently find ourselves listening to
the soundtrack to Pride and Prejudice, Harry Potter, or the Hunger Games either
on the piano or on your trumpet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
work very very hard on your instruments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m pretty sure you could take on another one if you wanted to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love listening to you play and I hope that
music is always a source of joy for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What a gift that is and will be to those around you.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPww5c8h-qmwxs46MuIt-vTNhvL7-UmBdD3BoEtxR6Adogg-sCH2zr2SOOxZZh88stW3doOJifQoa_y1QgxdxwUtwMSNpJdjV1pqx2G9yqBUwXgkblCDykPR_3R6zDKm5ZnA89/s2048/DSC00767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPww5c8h-qmwxs46MuIt-vTNhvL7-UmBdD3BoEtxR6Adogg-sCH2zr2SOOxZZh88stW3doOJifQoa_y1QgxdxwUtwMSNpJdjV1pqx2G9yqBUwXgkblCDykPR_3R6zDKm5ZnA89/s320/DSC00767.JPG" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You claim to hate movie nights but you live for game nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You absolutely love to play board games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To date, you have never lost a game of
Settlers of Catan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think you might
love playing games so much because you win so often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t figure out if you are that lucky or
that brilliant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regardless, we have
played a LOT of games over this pandemic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIQxFMhJv9KSFVwhRXU8GVJARhrjZPZkK_7n8CmbakxvzDorCBEqwV7vTQobUVOAFJqnyStbkQQFpycosSRyiHF2RKsdWzLrTMsBHdG1T7OyMG2s-6v_X058qfYtGML0Lsl11/s2048/DSC01635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1635" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIQxFMhJv9KSFVwhRXU8GVJARhrjZPZkK_7n8CmbakxvzDorCBEqwV7vTQobUVOAFJqnyStbkQQFpycosSRyiHF2RKsdWzLrTMsBHdG1T7OyMG2s-6v_X058qfYtGML0Lsl11/s320/DSC01635.JPG" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have this great group of friends that I really,
genuinely appreciate and enjoy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love
that you have girls who are so life-giving in the words they speak to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love hearing you encourage them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think the company you keep says a lot about
a person – and that is certainly true of you and your sweet friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m so proud of you for choosing to surround
yourself with Godly, kind and compassionate friends.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjrvKYcDiJEt4GVBGj_y3H25hqgG0tyeal2uaGgo-E01wgQjddimaY_JjXA5BBIYkcCUBITu2TNvV_gr7BA6If3YoG30xnPVWKavE3-TtYl5c-Sf-jUbU-e7PlmAMq7AHUQ8U/s2048/DSC01408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjrvKYcDiJEt4GVBGj_y3H25hqgG0tyeal2uaGgo-E01wgQjddimaY_JjXA5BBIYkcCUBITu2TNvV_gr7BA6If3YoG30xnPVWKavE3-TtYl5c-Sf-jUbU-e7PlmAMq7AHUQ8U/s320/DSC01408.JPG" width="320" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But hey – there are a lot of kids in your class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I have been completely stunned by the
person you have become in the last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You are not the shy girl who sits in class and never speaks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are not the girl who doesn’t talk to
people not in her circle of friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All
of a sudden you came out of your shell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It doesn’t matter who it is that is sitting next to you in class – you
TALK to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You ask them about their
volleyball game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You talk to them about
assignments or projects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t
shrink away from conversations with anyone and I really am so amazed by it I
find it hard to describe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7X_WKfLTE76D0XYus1RFgiRvbU1A7r8iQXiFaqWvKk8Q5UtrYqsskFeNq1Eeu5J76JTSKGhVzFHBHBhc0Sb2FjIjG2U-rmUC7g48ghdFV1ncqBeall-5hYx73dFokuP0QR4S/s2048/DSC01842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7X_WKfLTE76D0XYus1RFgiRvbU1A7r8iQXiFaqWvKk8Q5UtrYqsskFeNq1Eeu5J76JTSKGhVzFHBHBhc0Sb2FjIjG2U-rmUC7g48ghdFV1ncqBeall-5hYx73dFokuP0QR4S/s320/DSC01842.JPG" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have this very quiet and gentle way of leading that I so
admire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You did not get that from
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or maybe you saw my sometimes loud
and boisterous way of leading and decided on a different path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s totally okay because this is so you
and you are rocking it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your good at
helping people without letting them walk all over you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t humiliate or embarrass others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You never tease other people (polar opposite
of my style which is probably a good thing).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You are quietly confident and I think that is the coolest combination
for an 8<sup>th</sup> grader that I have ever seen.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_XgDNh7bniG1EeZVStDjPlsFDPOHg40la-UL737XAsJTctOc5WR0ybJ07maQaEHnXlVhk9RF_OkBeoZ9YxYrqCjYTMz_u46-FHD49DfbBa_hA1rqiyPguk3HfC4OEv4uPIko/s6000/DSC01719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_XgDNh7bniG1EeZVStDjPlsFDPOHg40la-UL737XAsJTctOc5WR0ybJ07maQaEHnXlVhk9RF_OkBeoZ9YxYrqCjYTMz_u46-FHD49DfbBa_hA1rqiyPguk3HfC4OEv4uPIko/s320/DSC01719.JPG" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To be sure, there are moments where you doubt yourself or
where you feel uncertain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are
times you get nervous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you don’t let
it overwhelm you or overcome you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
just press forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When something bad
does happen, you let yourself feel that sadness and then you pick yourself up
and move on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its so good to let yourself feel but to not
get lost in your feelings.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38qucTv4lU0leLJ6scxuE6Pe9Fj2CzpV7BWaIcG5LJUaMk0rk2WAahAwfJZKbKDx2U4tF66sZZUdqlX-w-E8epjfmtDDNQcFC7U179PAithvHd3yJlxHxHbVMNLZrIhiL9TLh/s2048/DSC00778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1362" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38qucTv4lU0leLJ6scxuE6Pe9Fj2CzpV7BWaIcG5LJUaMk0rk2WAahAwfJZKbKDx2U4tF66sZZUdqlX-w-E8epjfmtDDNQcFC7U179PAithvHd3yJlxHxHbVMNLZrIhiL9TLh/s320/DSC00778.JPG" width="320" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You are so very very different from your sister and yet
everyone thinks the two of you are so similar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And even though you are quite different and even though you do not
always get along I can tell that there is a deep bond between the two of you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that in about four years (sob) you
will be going on to college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes
Maddie and I try to imagine what life will be like then and we both get really
sad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are such a core piece of our
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is so often your words of
reason that calm an argument or your easy coaxing that makes a trial seem
bearable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the sound of the two of
you laughing and I hope you always keep that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I hope you know how deeply she loves you and admires you.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNt48BV9f9Ep8tIBZCqY9fKb2mKLevL1EdZhxsiBZdu25LwT65Iw7Q2EajKQBVR_jqPmS-w_Oo1ja72KQG8q4kDjuJXFe6yi00MK1Z0iHb7L9HSNQXEaWczA85tu-qazVKx2Bp/s2048/DSC00838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNt48BV9f9Ep8tIBZCqY9fKb2mKLevL1EdZhxsiBZdu25LwT65Iw7Q2EajKQBVR_jqPmS-w_Oo1ja72KQG8q4kDjuJXFe6yi00MK1Z0iHb7L9HSNQXEaWczA85tu-qazVKx2Bp/s320/DSC00838.JPG" width="320" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The littlest guy in our house thinks the world of his
biggest sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There have been so many
times when he was desperate for a playmate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And there you were – crawling around on the floor playing farm or out in
the backyard throwing a football.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love
the way you love him with your time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
are very intentional about how you treat him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You help him even though he needs less and less help all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Reagan, how he loves you for that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He adores you because you have filled his
love tank time and time again even when it wasn’t something that sounded fun to
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You did it for him.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoo2W3jCkTNyAKW9nYd9nGuW7K8kHHpK1SbMqehb0t792-Y3J4lBRQmOv-EDoKEMNtxhwKSt6ACTSRnyi3-wsBAEGmn3xJ0winQ0XHXwObx01uu8F4x6qzwvXg3PEDeBt5ROUg/s2048/30684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoo2W3jCkTNyAKW9nYd9nGuW7K8kHHpK1SbMqehb0t792-Y3J4lBRQmOv-EDoKEMNtxhwKSt6ACTSRnyi3-wsBAEGmn3xJ0winQ0XHXwObx01uu8F4x6qzwvXg3PEDeBt5ROUg/s320/30684.jpg" width="320" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You are almost definitely the last person to be ready in the
morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love gummy life savers and
peanut M&Ms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You still love legos
and polar bears and flamingoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You lost
the braces and the glasses and turned into this stunning young woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are not whiney or selfish or snarky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love fresh veggies and hate
casseroles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are about half an inch
shorter than me but I’m guessing it won’t be long before you pass me up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love soccer and tennis.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AxH_yBtGyZ0mrIUVnXmGU626IZvcZqmMQtLbIJS5OD_r063XKBNWxy1nzMvcTa2i8kr6tDfuiH8GmWs38OpcQvbouGVYNxEL_a_42rySo3jPTHO8XYLeAlflGLBe2lbuUy61/s320/61488790851__439C4E32-F5FE-42C8-9CF8-86625D20CB48.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AxH_yBtGyZ0mrIUVnXmGU626IZvcZqmMQtLbIJS5OD_r063XKBNWxy1nzMvcTa2i8kr6tDfuiH8GmWs38OpcQvbouGVYNxEL_a_42rySo3jPTHO8XYLeAlflGLBe2lbuUy61/s0/61488790851__439C4E32-F5FE-42C8-9CF8-86625D20CB48.JPG" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You are a joy and a delight and that is a complete surprise
to me because I sort of dreaded having a teenager.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have made me truly love this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I could have written you out like a
character in a book it wouldn’t have been as good as you are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD14qgfzGm9tMX6thh3HdIZdPKFbBNFJuek8CZwC1ykFMrx8hY7txv72i23FBLaPDJMNJlmDUhsQImza4TcLaGvGiRbHFZxqLqAIpn0hNztLW_mYHW9Pwdh2_2l7RHXN3Ee8QN/s6000/DSC01083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD14qgfzGm9tMX6thh3HdIZdPKFbBNFJuek8CZwC1ykFMrx8hY7txv72i23FBLaPDJMNJlmDUhsQImza4TcLaGvGiRbHFZxqLqAIpn0hNztLW_mYHW9Pwdh2_2l7RHXN3Ee8QN/s320/DSC01083.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdvjXH1pnF_MCVFEGHXKZNTq3D7CKvo1xF4Uyp6KJS8JWbJiWMZmZPikLvfbINppSKGvYNqoHcQhPoCtiVcJW5Y4qff9J3cUtdzF9FI2NeutqGx7mTI48nvxLI1Rv0ztFbDnJ/s2048/DSC01567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1630" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdvjXH1pnF_MCVFEGHXKZNTq3D7CKvo1xF4Uyp6KJS8JWbJiWMZmZPikLvfbINppSKGvYNqoHcQhPoCtiVcJW5Y4qff9J3cUtdzF9FI2NeutqGx7mTI48nvxLI1Rv0ztFbDnJ/s320/DSC01567.JPG" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I read it in the papers you write for school – that quiet,
unshakeable faith that has taken root in your heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know you believe that Jesus loves you, that
he died to save you from your sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because even though you are absolutely wonderful, you are not perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t have to be perfect, Reagan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are exactly who He created you to be and
you don’t question it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep leaning into
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep reaching for him through your
questions (and there will be questions).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Keep seeking hard after him in all the good and the bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep loving others the way he loves you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep being you, Reagan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQekLpEhByMnwXt4nAUvuQgEEtgBNivbFxa9RfdLepXS_YCsK_rpkZz_PDZuYqCxqGgRBTyeEctSQbHMemIF6-G4mF1P4xC6XaCZt9Aeat9UhE8Oh_RuD_8HzVRney-mHxnqv/s1280/IMG_3710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQekLpEhByMnwXt4nAUvuQgEEtgBNivbFxa9RfdLepXS_YCsK_rpkZz_PDZuYqCxqGgRBTyeEctSQbHMemIF6-G4mF1P4xC6XaCZt9Aeat9UhE8Oh_RuD_8HzVRney-mHxnqv/s320/IMG_3710.JPG" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">I love you so so much.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ICxoCzDEcnwHlx0Bdc3kl8_-7CdrNWWfi9C1atigjkixJmEo0myDjjpSnb8ZBX28oy7ZI2ZrMmbt-3ToqUSEtfvTCs57-QfiMdEvVq2qqCOqPpAfH7BSeJ_5d7dWvASok7i9/s6000/DSC01650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ICxoCzDEcnwHlx0Bdc3kl8_-7CdrNWWfi9C1atigjkixJmEo0myDjjpSnb8ZBX28oy7ZI2ZrMmbt-3ToqUSEtfvTCs57-QfiMdEvVq2qqCOqPpAfH7BSeJ_5d7dWvASok7i9/s320/DSC01650.JPG" width="320" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Always,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">~Mom <o:p></o:p></p>Miz Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334494599805008376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219573.post-90697556422378029842020-10-12T14:35:00.013-05:002020-10-12T16:07:37.170-05:00On Just the Other Side<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEdft7e4nOjz7tknqUKfs9Ml_X3cdSdHHh0NLuZq1LPdNw3ZnNMF4dOVpU1ES8S5-5z6Y7nxvKztCziguvskuZvp1CnDtR_MpIk9eVleK86RKyP2ktXgUCWFliSU4EP9jJwQM6/s2048/DSC00934.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1370" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEdft7e4nOjz7tknqUKfs9Ml_X3cdSdHHh0NLuZq1LPdNw3ZnNMF4dOVpU1ES8S5-5z6Y7nxvKztCziguvskuZvp1CnDtR_MpIk9eVleK86RKyP2ktXgUCWFliSU4EP9jJwQM6/s320/DSC00934.JPG" /></a></div><br />On just the other side of every* cancer diagnosis is a
retired farmer who never smoked a day in his life, who wasn’t exposed to
asbestos and who avoided all the things you were supposed to avoid. He thought he’d have at least another good 10
years. But the doctor’s words cut that
time frame much shorter. And now he
longs to make as many preparations for his wife and the life she will face
without him. He longs to spend time with
his family – to see his grandchildren – to listen to their voices and see their
faces.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On just the other side of every cancer diagnosis is a spouse
who gasps in the oncologist’s office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
the shock wears off a bit, she goes into battle mode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She will fight with everything she has for
just another month, another week, another day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her heart is breaking, but her will is not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On just the other side of every cancer diagnosis is a
daughter who cries in the shower so that she can spare her family some of her grief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She hasn’t hid all the tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her kids have watched her break down so many
times lately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her husband has stepped up
and done more household chores. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s
a bit of a dark cloud hanging over the whole family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She cries through every church service –
especially the music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She hasn’t worn
eye makeup since the day of that phone call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She is available for every doctor appointment even though she can only
call in due to regulations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her mind is
full of so many thoughts.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On just the other side of every cancer diagnosis is a son
who is too far from home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He waits as
patiently as possible for news about treatment options, news about prognosis,
news about the results of the latest scans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He wants so badly to be with his family – to help them and to carry some
of the burden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But all he has are
prayers and phone calls.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On just the other side of every cancer diagnosis is a
daughter who can’t really believe this is happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s sure that it can’t be as bad as what it
sounds like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s sure that her Dad
will have several good years yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because it is inconceivable to her that her Daddy, the strongest man in
the world, could be dying.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On just the other side of every cancer diagnosis is a woman
who gets a text that her friend’s dad’s cancer is stage four and it is
spreading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That woman doesn’t know what
to do – how to help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But she does <i>something</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She drops flowers off not 10 minutes after
she gets the text.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She texts back as
quickly as possible every time her friend messages her. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sends a small gift and a note of
encouragement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sends a bouquet. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She listens to her friend tearfully processing
what is happening with extreme patience and gentleness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She offers to bring a meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She prays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She checks in frequently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s
available.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On just the other side of every cancer diagnosis is a son in
law who is instantly ready to help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
drives his wife to the hospital for visits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He hugs his mother-in-law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
sits and talks with his father-in-law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He mentions it to his coworkers, his friends, his acquaintances so that
they might pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is patient with the
pain his wife is going through while simultaneously trying to encourage her to
not lose hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is intensely tuned in
to what his children are feeling when they consider losing a grandparent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is mindful that there is so much that will
need to be done while others focus on just enjoying the time together.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On just the other side of every cancer diagnosis is a granddaughter
who loves her Grandpa dearly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wants
to spend time with him even though she is shy of the emotions swirling
lately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She values his sense of humor,
his kind attention to her, his encouragement of her accomplishments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She loves his laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She longs to bring a little scrap of joy to
his day.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On just the other side of every cancer diagnosis is a
grandson who cries himself to sleep when he thinks about Grandpa not being
there to take care of his tractors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
cries too when they get in the car to leave the farm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because the days there are numbered and the
farm has always been a place of joy and happiness and love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t really know how it all works but
he asks his teacher and his class to pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because his Grandpa matters to him more than he can even put into words.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On just the other side of every cancer diagnosis is extended
family who long to do something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
there is little to do other than pray. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On just the other side of every cancer diagnosis is a church
family in shock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This kind of thing
shouldn’t happen to someone so good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On just the other side of every cancer diagnosis is a doctor who
has seen every reaction under the sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He sees the very technical information on the chart and in the report.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he also looks in his patient’s eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he offers what hope he can.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On just the other side of every cancer diagnosis are acquaintances
who share stories of hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They knew
someone who battled lung cancer – someone who overcame it – someone who is in
remission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they give a gift of
sharing those stories perhaps not fully realizing that those stories shine like
stars in a dark sky.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On just the other side of every cancer diagnosis is a farm
sale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The years of collecting and
delighting in all those red tractors are coming to a close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two tractors that were being fixed up,
sitting in pieces in the shed, will need to be fixed up by others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The equipment will have to be sold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sheds will have to be cleaned out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The treasured possessions will need to be
auctioned off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And none of it matters as
much as the money it will bring in to care for those left behind.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On just the other side of every cancer diagnosis there is a family
who is suddenly shaken awake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They never
really knew how much time they would have left together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And though this is not expected they realize
that the joy of health and togetherness was never going to last forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So they take what little time they have left,
they wrap it in love and intentional time, and they soak it into their very bones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They seek out the joy by sharing funny
stories of what happened that week, they share so many pictures of what is
going on in their lives, they call each other so frequently, they get together as
often as possible, they check in, they pray together, they text all day
long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they discover life the way it was
always meant to be lived.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On just the other side of every cancer diagnosis is a God so
loving that He foresaw all this pain and did something about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A God who will redeem every moment that is
lost to cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has planned for this
and is not surprised by any of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
sees what they need each day and fills those empty places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He whispers of hope beyond a grave, of so
much more to come, of plans that are greater than all we could ask or
imagine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And He draws near, offering
comfort and peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He reminds us that we
belong, body and soul, in life and in death, to Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> He is with us here and on just the other side.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">*every.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, these are
not true of every single person or every cancer story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But each of them is true of my Dad’s cancer
story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I realize now that I walk
this road that there are others who have walked here before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are other farmers who have received a cancer
diagnosis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are other families who
have wrestled with the things we are wrestling with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are not alone and I share this hoping that
if anyone else ever one day walks the road after us that you will find comfort
in these words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And for those whose
paths will be different, perhaps a gentle awakening for you to cherish every
single moment for the beautiful gift that it is.<o:p></o:p></p>Miz Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334494599805008376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219573.post-7339164577644963832020-06-26T20:49:00.001-05:002020-06-26T20:51:23.350-05:00Buckner<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was a beautiful day with sunshine and a refreshing
breeze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I informed my daughters that we
were going on a walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We set off from my
parents’ house and began crunching our way down the gravel road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In less than 10 minutes we arrived at Buckner
Cemetery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We swung the squeaky gate wide and made our way onto the sacred ground. It is a place of memories not recorded in history books and it is just down the road from where my parents live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For several years my parents and a sibling or
two mowed the cemetery since it was so close to their home.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8PhRDlRpucC4hYmJ6jQj9ugDDlkHhnVpIXq4bCCkuJU5Lnm2GRG2uF0cglcff2hFIkpbc-mzJISQHbMxJY2SQ3e8YgO3nn4eYVKURq2tDjimBE9_3CxU7D9haAQew010ulQs/s1600/DSC00971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8PhRDlRpucC4hYmJ6jQj9ugDDlkHhnVpIXq4bCCkuJU5Lnm2GRG2uF0cglcff2hFIkpbc-mzJISQHbMxJY2SQ3e8YgO3nn4eYVKURq2tDjimBE9_3CxU7D9haAQew010ulQs/s320/DSC00971.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6r8gjjHk1zgSefY1KNynZ2ur3dwSq3TJEscX8B_fD_a6NZCms0iOY0i_qwKOvP3ntYgWO6VJgThDqqTbAL9QLk4twRgcvLL2_mtQyP_jy8jDe6mcMmfKNVGBGVR1bNT_-liD/s1600/DSC00976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6r8gjjHk1zgSefY1KNynZ2ur3dwSq3TJEscX8B_fD_a6NZCms0iOY0i_qwKOvP3ntYgWO6VJgThDqqTbAL9QLk4twRgcvLL2_mtQyP_jy8jDe6mcMmfKNVGBGVR1bNT_-liD/s320/DSC00976.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Slowly we began moving through the haphazard stones. Some were in a bit of a row or a
grouping. But most were just placed
wherever.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCm7tPbQWAZ6BxpTlutbw4bMQSAmw68bvx-v2d7sjFt-z9v1sdSJn2rVbV4BcD63_iyjJAC81Qrowkrrurb-_Y21T1nCXIpwaJZODcqjgaeNOU09t8zzwfjUytdzmhBefTDRhg/s1600/DSC00935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCm7tPbQWAZ6BxpTlutbw4bMQSAmw68bvx-v2d7sjFt-z9v1sdSJn2rVbV4BcD63_iyjJAC81Qrowkrrurb-_Y21T1nCXIpwaJZODcqjgaeNOU09t8zzwfjUytdzmhBefTDRhg/s320/DSC00935.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSE8el42A0MoVCCzUNK_jQGUkWPaVSpe6D3D_V0LoIhyphenhyphennlGwpbJeKAzDonWi5C9EGsA6LV6batNiS278XoJQDYxvzfM3FG3vHsEQeRbMaeaSH4Zge09IUlUF0Y0BXa9xYuISB/s1600/DSC00959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSE8el42A0MoVCCzUNK_jQGUkWPaVSpe6D3D_V0LoIhyphenhyphennlGwpbJeKAzDonWi5C9EGsA6LV6batNiS278XoJQDYxvzfM3FG3vHsEQeRbMaeaSH4Zge09IUlUF0Y0BXa9xYuISB/s320/DSC00959.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaK61oHvNwDI_fL9YtJu41DlKzzgrNW6PEVHug9hR-Yfec5FVRzIFsTRl7z9C1_ReVlxJ_sfzup2ioAzxTp1ipgHZZBW7TTHPswHiCL4GTtEletKQUeaa6k4_L1Emve10dDFQH/s1600/DSC00960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaK61oHvNwDI_fL9YtJu41DlKzzgrNW6PEVHug9hR-Yfec5FVRzIFsTRl7z9C1_ReVlxJ_sfzup2ioAzxTp1ipgHZZBW7TTHPswHiCL4GTtEletKQUeaa6k4_L1Emve10dDFQH/s320/DSC00960.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many stones are hard to read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if you sit and stare a while you can make
out some of the details.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> S</span>ometimes all you get is a name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes you get a whole story – one that
counts the years, months, days of a person’s life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDM7xkxtnOcKAh8hme8RSfjT-SxH64dP0bWQtkPAQ6MGZOdo1RTdEnJ5GOddbzftEdSvxH14EC6eOYlgL7CeTKxdGqpAlDHPHyCw9cLAu9VItMPIYmgnJsFsHejGoSunhiHSj/s1600/DSC00949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDM7xkxtnOcKAh8hme8RSfjT-SxH64dP0bWQtkPAQ6MGZOdo1RTdEnJ5GOddbzftEdSvxH14EC6eOYlgL7CeTKxdGqpAlDHPHyCw9cLAu9VItMPIYmgnJsFsHejGoSunhiHSj/s320/DSC00949.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9xV8aq908Qp2oZvSsvDVZ_ilmOC2aLK8ZStG4emLM6iMfWr-ay76Ba9GxkZwgdv5ypU-eyh8ATaQB6ZvTvlo0j3u4WA7T6CVu3AIE9Tn3uPVdKhEWqggLxfVzMIjVrF2DjFh/s1600/DSC00967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9xV8aq908Qp2oZvSsvDVZ_ilmOC2aLK8ZStG4emLM6iMfWr-ay76Ba9GxkZwgdv5ypU-eyh8ATaQB6ZvTvlo0j3u4WA7T6CVu3AIE9Tn3uPVdKhEWqggLxfVzMIjVrF2DjFh/s320/DSC00967.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_gEFcYZh_95Z4jAp8pMR5crJG3bRii3NbyJfBNnq1mJWp-PkwWRP03415K1wSqc6DpFRf3_zml9OWYYj23iQcpEerJL0DHdtmo-6cvZjetTim_jMocZDdmmTNlKoF2xYSRZq/s1600/DSC00957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_gEFcYZh_95Z4jAp8pMR5crJG3bRii3NbyJfBNnq1mJWp-PkwWRP03415K1wSqc6DpFRf3_zml9OWYYj23iQcpEerJL0DHdtmo-6cvZjetTim_jMocZDdmmTNlKoF2xYSRZq/s320/DSC00957.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZHDWLQXXEcxqXvq7oZldTQN_DFq1LOC7cFJndsnGOWPuDposI0TkQPR1y27KkkUb3TzBaNnnI-OKQkxoUu1brlO5ajhJjw8UA2EvnJu-u6zs-OM_MpAEDGWpRENeULXvjnzv/s1600/DSC00958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZHDWLQXXEcxqXvq7oZldTQN_DFq1LOC7cFJndsnGOWPuDposI0TkQPR1y27KkkUb3TzBaNnnI-OKQkxoUu1brlO5ajhJjw8UA2EvnJu-u6zs-OM_MpAEDGWpRENeULXvjnzv/s320/DSC00958.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It doesn’t take long to see that many of these graves are
markers of children.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02wYrThgR1YvQT5uVdpF6eKrX_mXrsRf0x-lI1PJXBYgnYSLz8g-aXGMSZ3A2WlzcYN26D0mXFzFHt6NcfzYyUoJpzi1JCYmRTUPQyyGzAl_jItoDNyzzzaEKuD_K2nZuYOK-/s1600/DSC00936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02wYrThgR1YvQT5uVdpF6eKrX_mXrsRf0x-lI1PJXBYgnYSLz8g-aXGMSZ3A2WlzcYN26D0mXFzFHt6NcfzYyUoJpzi1JCYmRTUPQyyGzAl_jItoDNyzzzaEKuD_K2nZuYOK-/s320/DSC00936.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxBuxhT4Jx7SSfmwVIqPw5MkYtZZ5OTi6Q3PoPvTd-hZD1R4Af8IIec6Ur7qaIxGpm7-aCLb7DESGgXP1TpxR-6rLCCSEcv12dPR23_XBDVQssObnVcHXYbxXK7XC4L6BeTn2/s1600/DSC00942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxBuxhT4Jx7SSfmwVIqPw5MkYtZZ5OTi6Q3PoPvTd-hZD1R4Af8IIec6Ur7qaIxGpm7-aCLb7DESGgXP1TpxR-6rLCCSEcv12dPR23_XBDVQssObnVcHXYbxXK7XC4L6BeTn2/s320/DSC00942.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHZhgABtptgDQSxSUGw1URE7iWV0fvggZm9eIFvhXfk0u-6ZmAVMDPcm6nyxDDDdVIN2wnY2tIdI2AnMjXM5f6zwufC46olsce5sHKLuKxZcO7C8HNQC-tD2honObPyBZDsfW/s1600/DSC00956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHZhgABtptgDQSxSUGw1URE7iWV0fvggZm9eIFvhXfk0u-6ZmAVMDPcm6nyxDDDdVIN2wnY2tIdI2AnMjXM5f6zwufC46olsce5sHKLuKxZcO7C8HNQC-tD2honObPyBZDsfW/s320/DSC00956.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I move through, I read the names aloud, because when was
the last time someone said their name?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrm30A2JNbSOaFpq2ddOZzzdjJ5qdFNKq5XkDf8wRJmITJNtvhRx6NTjwU9LASz0vKzpYuCjwxtYI0YCWIzeyOAatJtSVJzx2bC_hsMSCRUt6kujRSzstpL9YkwQ9EZPwtzumJ/s1600/DSC00944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrm30A2JNbSOaFpq2ddOZzzdjJ5qdFNKq5XkDf8wRJmITJNtvhRx6NTjwU9LASz0vKzpYuCjwxtYI0YCWIzeyOAatJtSVJzx2bC_hsMSCRUt6kujRSzstpL9YkwQ9EZPwtzumJ/s320/DSC00944.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PmaAMtpy5I6mLWc6GMuZaIr2g7VV7ku_TVtT0ByWWcdWeTybp-tyFeeakvrQg0VHG_9BqG2k9hYHolGu_mnebIO6rmhEGaWaey2M4eYdxvnjTUfAer3r7ftqNzzjLTzAfcJj/s1600/DSC00952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PmaAMtpy5I6mLWc6GMuZaIr2g7VV7ku_TVtT0ByWWcdWeTybp-tyFeeakvrQg0VHG_9BqG2k9hYHolGu_mnebIO6rmhEGaWaey2M4eYdxvnjTUfAer3r7ftqNzzjLTzAfcJj/s320/DSC00952.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZaBLr1rRU8U4ZHf7x4kwKd-ivY4Q7bjyYu5FDpb2Iu-V_yJVdStmaVWDjJ85L1xwL6UGdPRZforDKst1LMONCrt6DFjQWdyEigSGIJdBegBxZfIJaFEwPdvYSjvKhDcTsmTdY/s1600/DSC00945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZaBLr1rRU8U4ZHf7x4kwKd-ivY4Q7bjyYu5FDpb2Iu-V_yJVdStmaVWDjJ85L1xwL6UGdPRZforDKst1LMONCrt6DFjQWdyEigSGIJdBegBxZfIJaFEwPdvYSjvKhDcTsmTdY/s320/DSC00945.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I imagine that when these babies, children and loved ones
were buried, their parents and spouses and siblings felt so irreparably
changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their lives would never be the
same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their stories were written in a
way that they had never anticipated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTS6Sft4fUiC8JgOBePQeyOZjtpY1_P6RJXUj-DlZspp2UoiYW6r74Kj4MCmwPBtHCMiJiP8UC3wy96nVEGyGF59j8k8pldbqVpNQO1I-s_kT-ZduCHIvrswqSSEDqtC6vRyPH/s1600/DSC00939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1064" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTS6Sft4fUiC8JgOBePQeyOZjtpY1_P6RJXUj-DlZspp2UoiYW6r74Kj4MCmwPBtHCMiJiP8UC3wy96nVEGyGF59j8k8pldbqVpNQO1I-s_kT-ZduCHIvrswqSSEDqtC6vRyPH/s320/DSC00939.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But time moved on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And now there is no one living who remembers the souls buried here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one tells their stories of life, love or
loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All that’s left is a name with
maybe some dates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlJCelLiqM5LcwAzTZ07FE9r8bIcPxUu5RgeOBVb7rC1syPNHZzUCbJ2OaVfvBbW8z2jyRJUw9ietE08wI8k3j7FerseQ4XZzB6CxxIg25ZSLqYKOUlqLEDMZhdlFrNrbF59M/s1600/DSC00943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlJCelLiqM5LcwAzTZ07FE9r8bIcPxUu5RgeOBVb7rC1syPNHZzUCbJ2OaVfvBbW8z2jyRJUw9ietE08wI8k3j7FerseQ4XZzB6CxxIg25ZSLqYKOUlqLEDMZhdlFrNrbF59M/s320/DSC00943.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I read the names.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I speak it aloud on the breeze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because I would want someone to do that for my loved ones.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzacZh2nXgsYl3K7r-G_8A74yEeOvNnRnjbF_7aR2X4d5oJjJD3wh9tWAeC9LGuoO2Xyc4jeDc_FICb3vLOYllUm8vCCHE16dLzDYMbo_wGDtZnVcK2x1k8zQKrdUoxf3lJHX/s1600/DSC00946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzacZh2nXgsYl3K7r-G_8A74yEeOvNnRnjbF_7aR2X4d5oJjJD3wh9tWAeC9LGuoO2Xyc4jeDc_FICb3vLOYllUm8vCCHE16dLzDYMbo_wGDtZnVcK2x1k8zQKrdUoxf3lJHX/s320/DSC00946.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgduP4BF3yxra0mvY3VY9BwAhKwxvbtrZhX4YAwechB0a4qFPRCCqwV6qMgkVHY8LvkG9NEwhzSvGd9xXTLvomk1y7zp9Wnn-TZGh2LIbtcRQTXqTR5bHhyphenhyphenQUbmyvgBoObwcZ50/s1600/DSC00955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgduP4BF3yxra0mvY3VY9BwAhKwxvbtrZhX4YAwechB0a4qFPRCCqwV6qMgkVHY8LvkG9NEwhzSvGd9xXTLvomk1y7zp9Wnn-TZGh2LIbtcRQTXqTR5bHhyphenhyphenQUbmyvgBoObwcZ50/s320/DSC00955.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s always quiet here at Buckner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Out in the country, at least a mile off the
nearest black-top road, there isn’t any traffic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only sound is the wind moving through the
trees.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyiW2eypfx-_7nfaBRGm53oLsB6glk1wHqgMxeBqEK_k6JohlHTLaLbFC7piGXb8ht0P0ht0olhCSRgRjjMW8js4OQfoZTkFKkFH6toOs_KdGMgVkfdUlXviPJGlFN6ApWZTR/s1600/DSC00951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyiW2eypfx-_7nfaBRGm53oLsB6glk1wHqgMxeBqEK_k6JohlHTLaLbFC7piGXb8ht0P0ht0olhCSRgRjjMW8js4OQfoZTkFKkFH6toOs_KdGMgVkfdUlXviPJGlFN6ApWZTR/s320/DSC00951.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbQS0h_zrA1aTEJ5spDWHJaiOIo-UpelvG7gXGHubqSA1xRGWFWWzZsuZfPtWT1Yb-eOTd3HAbV9IAcbhpsmHAIHXYYHNByO7vRp26fslxbSHaMe4Gol_PM14FSJRpVm27dOj/s1600/DSC00954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbQS0h_zrA1aTEJ5spDWHJaiOIo-UpelvG7gXGHubqSA1xRGWFWWzZsuZfPtWT1Yb-eOTd3HAbV9IAcbhpsmHAIHXYYHNByO7vRp26fslxbSHaMe4Gol_PM14FSJRpVm27dOj/s320/DSC00954.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I crane my head up and wonder if these trees were here back
in the 1800s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the stones marking
graves near the trees make me imagine a family picking that particular spot by
that tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A tree that stands as sentinel, sometimes longer than the stones.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDdhOqECL2RFv0I1rikpC5VR5r1dAm5XPNZviMR3UpDe6b426H831SXoktDwU9Z2TKTSDcc7VBEeZ4CD1gbxY7WUpSJpMROg07SO6CQmWNvQni2DGqUNfx2PuDfR1lB1HOBs3l/s1600/DSC00964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDdhOqECL2RFv0I1rikpC5VR5r1dAm5XPNZviMR3UpDe6b426H831SXoktDwU9Z2TKTSDcc7VBEeZ4CD1gbxY7WUpSJpMROg07SO6CQmWNvQni2DGqUNfx2PuDfR1lB1HOBs3l/s320/DSC00964.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiC6mpRnQcJ_djA9zGyuYpcqGA0pYVZu3kPyU1Cx74-KkkgzBRPjg4hFSPo3xggj6bifmyu9VHmkoITAGX2Vrxev3CdMh1m14ZJynamLjJtTx_kN-InBvhlpGPu0AceQ1Bn6L/s1600/DSC00962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiC6mpRnQcJ_djA9zGyuYpcqGA0pYVZu3kPyU1Cx74-KkkgzBRPjg4hFSPo3xggj6bifmyu9VHmkoITAGX2Vrxev3CdMh1m14ZJynamLjJtTx_kN-InBvhlpGPu0AceQ1Bn6L/s320/DSC00962.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrq0CwXIzOZ-KDqkYezQuT4TdDFIY1bLTRC3f38Ju_r3KSUDkysKwEVoQ_SLc7TGZCSrP_-_rXHBouIUbkOP3N5Ngc21T7X9PovJWpx_gb-SSyh2R7z0DyptDeuDWlMBMhRj6/s1600/DSC00950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrq0CwXIzOZ-KDqkYezQuT4TdDFIY1bLTRC3f38Ju_r3KSUDkysKwEVoQ_SLc7TGZCSrP_-_rXHBouIUbkOP3N5Ngc21T7X9PovJWpx_gb-SSyh2R7z0DyptDeuDWlMBMhRj6/s320/DSC00950.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Because over there, off to the side of the cemetery, there’s
a small collection of lost stones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
graves they mark are somewhere in this place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But no one knows where anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No one is coming to visit those graves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbNDpq9kEQqIUdpv7XAsrYC98dcwPRNns5x1in86g5beis3A4JsdEyWsspHEaqbv8GmnVKli3pr4lUNyOoXK-GIUTmunpJausFHapOKRsU4iEVMd0TVnuB5jV9B__8YNaB72p/s1600/DSC00966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbNDpq9kEQqIUdpv7XAsrYC98dcwPRNns5x1in86g5beis3A4JsdEyWsspHEaqbv8GmnVKli3pr4lUNyOoXK-GIUTmunpJausFHapOKRsU4iEVMd0TVnuB5jV9B__8YNaB72p/s200/DSC00966.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-vX-Sh8WRDp4tUxK_pWY_nuRg_AwPouE1gXSvsUX2umOs3euxFbQ_0W1ah2-wAJei3oyS5ZvP9GKXWKePo_YapGwfrErWmOWASldohbf8qWTQTznNsdo2oXKFLADHVcmCDhu/s1600/DSC00940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-vX-Sh8WRDp4tUxK_pWY_nuRg_AwPouE1gXSvsUX2umOs3euxFbQ_0W1ah2-wAJei3oyS5ZvP9GKXWKePo_YapGwfrErWmOWASldohbf8qWTQTznNsdo2oXKFLADHVcmCDhu/s320/DSC00940.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is what is left of a life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And one day, maybe this will be what is left
of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be a name on a stone
that people don’t remember.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
sobering to consider.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s sobering to
stare at a stone that holds only two initials.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To see that stone and wonder if someone was so poor that they could only
afford this tiny memorial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxqIL_LFsMjpVdjQHz1g2rsCECOVx-bAobnepBZLttvAUU_Ys2uBU-FJoBwuYjvW2ztXqmNcBBm8K8NZmRoz5TSzFLaz8M9eCLFHanNlouu-xbXe2p2QU-Fhs-aQAMhG7W5Wt/s1600/DSC00968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxqIL_LFsMjpVdjQHz1g2rsCECOVx-bAobnepBZLttvAUU_Ys2uBU-FJoBwuYjvW2ztXqmNcBBm8K8NZmRoz5TSzFLaz8M9eCLFHanNlouu-xbXe2p2QU-Fhs-aQAMhG7W5Wt/s320/DSC00968.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEuUrLYRVm33rG0ENX0KXUm7sIm3r02pD7ce4A2mzdtWOu9HhAn6kr-n8_0CGJbTXU-3IhFc0roo3AD8ZGhlUUkuR0I3UtLUf2gzY0WCJ7YqFv9Fq1wq_14Tq6yaGIsoSu04uf/s1600/DSC00972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEuUrLYRVm33rG0ENX0KXUm7sIm3r02pD7ce4A2mzdtWOu9HhAn6kr-n8_0CGJbTXU-3IhFc0roo3AD8ZGhlUUkuR0I3UtLUf2gzY0WCJ7YqFv9Fq1wq_14Tq6yaGIsoSu04uf/s320/DSC00972.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So we visit Buckner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are quiet except for reading names and dates and life spans aloud
whenever we can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when we leave, we
are mindful of our belief that this world is not our home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We may not be able to remember the people
resting here, but we will remember our time at Buckner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we will turn our eyes to the One who
knows their names, remembers every detail of their lives, and who wrote each
day they lived into His book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xnOdtlH_Pq-4v9vW7xUqb9rorKeUJr-Y3yx9fCDEr_VKjtaBL7ETaeAb145RzYioiiXDfHSOFJ9djv7MFE9B7DTjRo7oz8OSCaii_7JqsT-ITwbHn99cYzODIwWji4OajXFM/s1600/DSC00947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xnOdtlH_Pq-4v9vW7xUqb9rorKeUJr-Y3yx9fCDEr_VKjtaBL7ETaeAb145RzYioiiXDfHSOFJ9djv7MFE9B7DTjRo7oz8OSCaii_7JqsT-ITwbHn99cYzODIwWji4OajXFM/s320/DSC00947.JPG" width="213" /></a>Miz Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334494599805008376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219573.post-3789367318705764092020-05-13T09:48:00.000-05:002020-05-13T09:50:19.955-05:00Happy 11th Birthday, Maddie!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Maddie,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today you are 11 years old. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2uXFp3_Ffcdho1hzD6p9a3R3Zuyj9kEKe9GqbzDqg3p5RBGu1_ATlPI7-4D14TcXBFl54PLqk8080BPfiFm0TluzSXHZA6lQDx6c0jYUAkKuPcMzv5DalrdvhCaSTDls6Ifh/s1600/DSC00002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2uXFp3_Ffcdho1hzD6p9a3R3Zuyj9kEKe9GqbzDqg3p5RBGu1_ATlPI7-4D14TcXBFl54PLqk8080BPfiFm0TluzSXHZA6lQDx6c0jYUAkKuPcMzv5DalrdvhCaSTDls6Ifh/s320/DSC00002.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
This will be the first family birthday that we celebrate during
pandemic. It’s a strange time. Your class sang to you over a video
conference call (“Zoom” is now less of a noun and more of a verb). We are hoping to have a very small family
party but there might not be hugs and we might not sit super close and some
people might wear masks. I ordered your
gifts early in March and they have barely arrived. There won’t be any birthday treats to
school. I won’t sit with you in the
cafeteria for your birthday lunch. It’s
going to be strange. But…it also feels
good. We trade all those things that
were normal, for a new normal. We trade
it all for a slow, fun day with plenty of hours to fill with your favorite
things. No one says the word “busy”
these days. We have so much time to
just spend with you.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywBiidyW65hVFU7DzTc-CG-_Jv1gNn_xTcj1yJ7dD4p_2d0n_t7L_HA5y9Bj8uDPzx_g8aNiWLtuVhPvfAb-HtAhtuwYWOBciIIqwrUEUHhiZTPcM7CbgadlNT2p1wdltvdeY/s1600/DSC00722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywBiidyW65hVFU7DzTc-CG-_Jv1gNn_xTcj1yJ7dD4p_2d0n_t7L_HA5y9Bj8uDPzx_g8aNiWLtuVhPvfAb-HtAhtuwYWOBciIIqwrUEUHhiZTPcM7CbgadlNT2p1wdltvdeY/s320/DSC00722.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNrAA2jrXmR3DoqaQU9IfZCt27rAe9XLy5Vl0P4l3FBBc7cAHC3xVWIq7QEPsX__b7r19zBuxGQs1RRk2hbZnLYJa0_M4oIAzf5IoArHL8ozuSpQs5MCYjOIx2vovnSlBq8O7/s1600/DSC00856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNrAA2jrXmR3DoqaQU9IfZCt27rAe9XLy5Vl0P4l3FBBc7cAHC3xVWIq7QEPsX__b7r19zBuxGQs1RRk2hbZnLYJa0_M4oIAzf5IoArHL8ozuSpQs5MCYjOIx2vovnSlBq8O7/s320/DSC00856.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You love to read books and watch movies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love a good story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are not just a consumer of stories, but
you also write your own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they are
fantastic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You won an award again this
year for one of your “Carl the Cupcake” stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have this special gift for seeing these
little glimmering details that make your writing jump off the page.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You absolutely love to create.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love to draw little cartoon characters
and are still drawing cupcakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love
to paint and make little clay figurines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This year you also won in a calendar contest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have an artistic eye and an attention to
detail and when you tell me you want to be a graphic designer someday; I just
nod easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeKJZFwxGbxvd8AQacfp0ojgkUYdcK4CBZuQqNWvKtktI3xpLcho_bpDZrMfAUKvIUKYtr5zGgMw4HFcjYNxIfcAXvI_V9GN89BmB4iIhJDSP6otMoGhPBoDtv4_gIfAR9c_D/s1600/DSC00692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeKJZFwxGbxvd8AQacfp0ojgkUYdcK4CBZuQqNWvKtktI3xpLcho_bpDZrMfAUKvIUKYtr5zGgMw4HFcjYNxIfcAXvI_V9GN89BmB4iIhJDSP6otMoGhPBoDtv4_gIfAR9c_D/s320/DSC00692.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You love school and love to spend time with friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But sometimes relationships are hard because
you strongly dislike drama.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your heart
might be a little too soft at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
wise friend told me once that whenever one of my kids struggled with something
that I should not pray for God to remove that trial from their life – but
instead I should pray that He would use it to shape them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is vastly easier to do the younger you
are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I have noticed that because of
some of the friend issues, you have learned to be a friend to all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not saying you’ve never said an unkind
word or that you’ve never hurt someone’s feelings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But from all accounts, the kids in your class
genuinely like you and I don’t think there is a single person you can’t talk
to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re starting to get weird and
silly about boys, but that’s another whole thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At any rate, I admire the kindness that you
show to your classmates.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRwKyBf9qC1HMPVjtGyEY3lE41xI2F9jGzJXfVDmJxavLtrrielrSLyeNFD27DDYbcxS17qNNzCckr-tagE_c78yveWroIMcz8QlyA16zlsL4OMNUGty6GhF2nGyKnC4WgPVF/s1600/DSC00162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRwKyBf9qC1HMPVjtGyEY3lE41xI2F9jGzJXfVDmJxavLtrrielrSLyeNFD27DDYbcxS17qNNzCckr-tagE_c78yveWroIMcz8QlyA16zlsL4OMNUGty6GhF2nGyKnC4WgPVF/s320/DSC00162.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Strangely enough, your dislike for drama disappears at home
and on the stage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You had a main part in
our church Christmas program, and you were great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can be super expressive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At home, keeping the peace is not really your
goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At home, you become a button pusher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Girl, I love you, but you antagonize your
little brother somethin’ fierce!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know some of those moments are you just wanting attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are learning together how you can ask better for what you need and
how we can respond in ways that fill your love tank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLr79LJziKm4inSsjxjN7IV9b0PeioH-8_8B89PYEUl_xV1DhKh9nQHmrRb1GAzkIQ5XXi26ZGb0Rs4g3nksj0HGtoY5izvWd0Lkxqbs_UWk9i0kgnuQi_8n6RWOo4xCx1bNG0/s1600/DSC00155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1145" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLr79LJziKm4inSsjxjN7IV9b0PeioH-8_8B89PYEUl_xV1DhKh9nQHmrRb1GAzkIQ5XXi26ZGb0Rs4g3nksj0HGtoY5izvWd0Lkxqbs_UWk9i0kgnuQi_8n6RWOo4xCx1bNG0/s320/DSC00155.JPG" width="229" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzx6-NhMrhBj60bqZ2T7xLEjvvXTW30KvqkkKss4-zMbmpA_7jUYoReqHHdOfXPZO_YBbh8KXj2k1FiAydQfKBW4f7tsEz4ZYkUsuVTBUNwfi9a3Dv0VAy2pd6pYJ1bODXRkU/s1600/DSC00176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzx6-NhMrhBj60bqZ2T7xLEjvvXTW30KvqkkKss4-zMbmpA_7jUYoReqHHdOfXPZO_YBbh8KXj2k1FiAydQfKBW4f7tsEz4ZYkUsuVTBUNwfi9a3Dv0VAy2pd6pYJ1bODXRkU/s320/DSC00176.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEuYchy5iNsPqV0_NabNSZgtsJnWxyolmJh2WXjhQ6bnOQVZ9vfF3P7qVgiI-919QsmpqVJHVWvTGzRJSHjfrKqsmPVNg1qEERnxFedAze5I8KIv-FVXASJgiYz6zrjJGzr8H/s1600/DSC00703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEuYchy5iNsPqV0_NabNSZgtsJnWxyolmJh2WXjhQ6bnOQVZ9vfF3P7qVgiI-919QsmpqVJHVWvTGzRJSHjfrKqsmPVNg1qEERnxFedAze5I8KIv-FVXASJgiYz6zrjJGzr8H/s320/DSC00703.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHusMSvDt7XfBkQH-_oGxiSOMFpsMCFMbDLAp0PGO8vnQHGVXW-6y3h1kfpIAdH02xnOTmv-pS7yGwB3LQZhLTy0SyAeXg7rNXJ0sETbLMWHm9YvA55EydWXhoPiM9k1vdbB3n/s1600/pandas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHusMSvDt7XfBkQH-_oGxiSOMFpsMCFMbDLAp0PGO8vnQHGVXW-6y3h1kfpIAdH02xnOTmv-pS7yGwB3LQZhLTy0SyAeXg7rNXJ0sETbLMWHm9YvA55EydWXhoPiM9k1vdbB3n/s320/pandas.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had a lot of fun this past year watching you fall in love
with basketball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the season first
began you were a little ambivalent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then something just happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
started working harder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You practiced
more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You played at tournaments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are not the best player on the team, but
you did so well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you absolutely
loved it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so fun to watch you do
something you loved so deeply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
blast to see you really bond with your teammates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If basketball could have gone on longer that
would have been okay with both of us.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJHJ9hXzaLeYv5YnF8ukP7xyig2bOiE0EsmSm97ZHPJ0fPHlXalSQzUc7AjZiOYNELdotEo8fDOdksh7IgnwlYKWYiim8hxjcZ3MqYi4nbmbAq-VxWHkJZ2VZVpmaeeM9F3cg/s1600/bb1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJHJ9hXzaLeYv5YnF8ukP7xyig2bOiE0EsmSm97ZHPJ0fPHlXalSQzUc7AjZiOYNELdotEo8fDOdksh7IgnwlYKWYiim8hxjcZ3MqYi4nbmbAq-VxWHkJZ2VZVpmaeeM9F3cg/s320/bb1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This year you started playing flute and you love it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve taken ownership with that instrument
and getting you to practice isn’t a battle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The same cannot always be said for your piano playing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think you actually do like piano, but you
don’t want to be badgered about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGC-r-nO9LW1HkOjCaqniPGfMckXO1ofOyQkgvQJ_W3Zsa21rFkhwVQceM4Q-wbzSIuyCMsSNGqWb8LOmsfLGMtvQ56NGX4fjoX9AtiIOXCIibuMelxyYcfpWFWUCMMVvByNqs/s1600/DSC00616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGC-r-nO9LW1HkOjCaqniPGfMckXO1ofOyQkgvQJ_W3Zsa21rFkhwVQceM4Q-wbzSIuyCMsSNGqWb8LOmsfLGMtvQ56NGX4fjoX9AtiIOXCIibuMelxyYcfpWFWUCMMVvByNqs/s320/DSC00616.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfp2mMb4hp3XLgX_LaDDGXJtaL1Nv20-elYaZ9ROhchiqUeOuf6Mhidhhyphenhyphentlo8uqrAt1wB6Ugs5Y62V1FsIdN2ehrOmI-iyOiCMAscl6JRSs1o3LJY5Ibp8T2PI7ZJsnpyjuo/s1600/lego.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfp2mMb4hp3XLgX_LaDDGXJtaL1Nv20-elYaZ9ROhchiqUeOuf6Mhidhhyphenhyphentlo8uqrAt1wB6Ugs5Y62V1FsIdN2ehrOmI-iyOiCMAscl6JRSs1o3LJY5Ibp8T2PI7ZJsnpyjuo/s320/lego.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your Dad and I like to laugh that while you are not a messy
child, you are what we affectionately call our “Put-er Down-er” – meaning you
will carry random objects around the house and just set them down and walk
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t do this intentionally so
it's still amusing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we find your
random belongings all over the place all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hzaBKyHC4ZedgaOELrjsZbwEF8OAtKMrek09I1bhHikWtka7bWeMk3m0wpZrdsXQdWocXLJttSUdDDcCutPjrOycVgLL51clRD23p4sKgBWL7GWJBsUl5U6kq_QdV6sh3hC1/s1600/DSC00474-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1145" data-original-width="1600" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hzaBKyHC4ZedgaOELrjsZbwEF8OAtKMrek09I1bhHikWtka7bWeMk3m0wpZrdsXQdWocXLJttSUdDDcCutPjrOycVgLL51clRD23p4sKgBWL7GWJBsUl5U6kq_QdV6sh3hC1/s320/DSC00474-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Baking is still one of your great loves. It’s pretty fabulous to be able to ask you to
just make some bars or cookies or something and then watch you go at it. I do hear a lot of “oops” and “uh-ohs” but so
far, we have had no major baking catastrophes.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23hSx26yMSSJT3Vo1JM5iguNwpSiQrbfPD0A1Set7-KP4yoCBL6_nDW2CrjcLURhmWt1g_GV9xTtaI7r3H9OlE8fCQIl-FViIC8rO5BRQO9Cb0Oqt_oU1CFlTBuLv99nqhcDk/s1600/DSC00104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1137" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23hSx26yMSSJT3Vo1JM5iguNwpSiQrbfPD0A1Set7-KP4yoCBL6_nDW2CrjcLURhmWt1g_GV9xTtaI7r3H9OlE8fCQIl-FViIC8rO5BRQO9Cb0Oqt_oU1CFlTBuLv99nqhcDk/s320/DSC00104.JPG" width="227" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another one of your great loves is babysitting, helping in
the nursery or watching over your younger cousins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You absolutely adore little kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have this soft, quiet, gentle, easy way
about you that makes them super comfortable around you. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8B3tnSIeO585-WLq09m4NIARHAL9Jp4DRlUFoCGj2kf-j0LfLXmmFsFaU5sb3YkX8PMRanjtEiUWeDs__lU5nVLoPlNNFBBlnZJQXBVckEbArLH2q3tZadrqMPEeeyNTDExNH/s1600/turtle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8B3tnSIeO585-WLq09m4NIARHAL9Jp4DRlUFoCGj2kf-j0LfLXmmFsFaU5sb3YkX8PMRanjtEiUWeDs__lU5nVLoPlNNFBBlnZJQXBVckEbArLH2q3tZadrqMPEeeyNTDExNH/s320/turtle.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaStnBHUsLMAWKfRLtGSrw26H3k2Kv3Oq8UAV0WD1TKcRZqYf17X0rm9bM9TXeJQe6aHpFx9LoGth51rbiYxhIlrvh0TxKTMytVKNRYMZZMw23io-nOuJ8xDTuFcvInCALrSuy/s1600/DSC00820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaStnBHUsLMAWKfRLtGSrw26H3k2Kv3Oq8UAV0WD1TKcRZqYf17X0rm9bM9TXeJQe6aHpFx9LoGth51rbiYxhIlrvh0TxKTMytVKNRYMZZMw23io-nOuJ8xDTuFcvInCALrSuy/s320/DSC00820.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You laugh a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
have a really good time teasing you about certain boys in your class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You take that ribbing really well,
surprisingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, we cannot tease
your stuffed panda, or you will burst into INSTANT tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDB9qQlh8_TCGVFzg7OgIZrh4bmZ45i1psXYkTlgWexwp3rHmOWe4siTcbIxPipsJbyavZdrgbJ4NAP3uKRa0ZrsHK44TTAe3AHT4bzCMvkU1FbknL8eqCGZNCV1V1YWRmoO9/s1600/P1240074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDB9qQlh8_TCGVFzg7OgIZrh4bmZ45i1psXYkTlgWexwp3rHmOWe4siTcbIxPipsJbyavZdrgbJ4NAP3uKRa0ZrsHK44TTAe3AHT4bzCMvkU1FbknL8eqCGZNCV1V1YWRmoO9/s320/P1240074.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You love Calico Critters, Aunt Amy, cupcakes, snuggling, legos,
asparagus and pandas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are obsessed
with Tauren Wells’ music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re kinda
flopsy when you walk and it's hilarious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Your hair is a wild mess and a sight to behold in the morning and it is the
reason we nicknamed you “fluffy”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
straight up <i>love </i>blue jeans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re just
a whole lot of fun.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5oBHLxbngZsgaprDssUo3KihVvq7iIKyg0kAHiYmTGJQyndTFCOGuS6V0S2pZnoodLRRjmp3sVNenKPfu-mn6dlllN9MPkoHDhe-hqDoyIBTAP7dMU-Kchyb_17CseMzydlB/s1600/cupcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5oBHLxbngZsgaprDssUo3KihVvq7iIKyg0kAHiYmTGJQyndTFCOGuS6V0S2pZnoodLRRjmp3sVNenKPfu-mn6dlllN9MPkoHDhe-hqDoyIBTAP7dMU-Kchyb_17CseMzydlB/s320/cupcake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmG89JKNxgxFflI5XhUHofhJ9dytXAZg2a5RS_9TVvs56TJ-IpdZIiZm0BepGiJplL8UPAdmoKTXYljVQmVgUDqj2go6MnLLg2mlNNZMi8E0eDy3vrcSc1LsN2z2msAhet-tqI/s1600/amy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmG89JKNxgxFflI5XhUHofhJ9dytXAZg2a5RS_9TVvs56TJ-IpdZIiZm0BepGiJplL8UPAdmoKTXYljVQmVgUDqj2go6MnLLg2mlNNZMi8E0eDy3vrcSc1LsN2z2msAhet-tqI/s320/amy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIkSUPF4yJNQwXAsfcODM3pXtI0cEbvRUujPxmlInacJU7ChJwPLKbJ5rSHemi1_2-s5ssxZnUFH3jE52iRU08QGhdTC9lQPdqGZK_F4ALFbJe0DZjmikjPM4P4Pa0InPNBva/s1600/snuggle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIkSUPF4yJNQwXAsfcODM3pXtI0cEbvRUujPxmlInacJU7ChJwPLKbJ5rSHemi1_2-s5ssxZnUFH3jE52iRU08QGhdTC9lQPdqGZK_F4ALFbJe0DZjmikjPM4P4Pa0InPNBva/s320/snuggle.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over the past two months, we’ve been home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With all this quarantine stuff we’ve been
abruptly forced onto a new path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have
played games, watched movies, done crafts, built giant forts, read aloud in the
evenings, worshiped at our kitchen table, gotten creative with food and meals,
and gone on countless walks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a
family, we have never been closer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
been a joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’ve noticed something
about you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are so much happier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a peace about you because I think
this is what you really truly love – maybe what you really truly needed – time
at home with the people you love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
aren’t fighting for our attention or our time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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As much as you need us, we need you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This family needs your silliness and your
laughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need your baked treats and
your colorful cartoons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need your
teasing and your stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need your
big emotions and your soft heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God
filled a gap we didn’t know we would have when he gave us you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are the sparkle in every day, and we are
so very very thankful for your light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
know Jesus is using you to spread joy to us and to the world around you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pray that you will always be that
channel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p><br />
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Happy Birthday Maddie Grace!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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I love you so!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mom<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Miz Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334494599805008376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219573.post-12726632092397067362020-04-30T10:24:00.000-05:002020-04-30T10:25:10.178-05:00Grandmas Are Special<br />
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Grandmas are special.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Both of mine were no exception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was blessed to live nearby one of my Grandmas for the first 19 years of my
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other Grandma, Grandma Bea,
lived further away in Michigan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw
her sometimes only once a year on a summer vacation or in one of her visits to
stay with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as an adult, there
have been more years in between visits than I would have really liked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Early this year, Grandma Bea was diagnosed
with pancreatic cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She chose not to
go through chemo and we made peace with her choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For many months, she seemed to be doing
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nursing home where she lived went
on lockdown like all others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grandma has
8 children and many grandchildren and many great grandchildren.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Putting her on lockdown so that visitors
could only really see her through the window was…hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when my Aunt visited her, as she did very
frequently, she could see through that window that Gram was not looking quite
right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was painful for all of us to
sit here and see Gram at the beginning of the end – but only looking through
the window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thought of her passing
away without her people by her side was too much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But my amazing Aunt and Uncle quickly set up
a beautiful room in their home and took her to their house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are both nurses – both so capable and
ready and willing to care for her. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Precautions were still taken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Masks were still required.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gloves were still worn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Social distancing was in place between family
groups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Gram had a place to be where
we could reach her with last hugs, cards, gifts, video text messages, and her
birthday celebration on Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
morning, Gram went to be with Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p><br />
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Grandmas are special.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I won’t try to tell you mine is any more special than yours but let me
share what made mine so special to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
don’t think there was a person alive who knew Gram that didn’t genuinely love
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She loved to laugh and would laugh
loud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was a caretaker who would do
just about anything she could to help others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She gave people a place – a place where they were accepted and loved and
seen no matter what they were going through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She was not the most talkative person in the room, but she was a
listener.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow, she held her family
together so tightly after losing her husband to colon cancer several decades
ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a beauty about her that
went beyond the exterior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when you
saw her you knew you were in the presence of someone unspeakably
wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She made you feel
special.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gram was so many things – but most
of all she was a woman who held tightly to the promises of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that was the lasting gift she gave to all
of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She gave us Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no doubt that this morning she woke up
in the presence of her Savior, that Papa was there to greet her with a wide
grin, and that she laughed and clapped her hands in that way she does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can just see her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And one day I will again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<br />Miz Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334494599805008376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219573.post-64700588582292930662019-12-19T07:30:00.000-06:002019-12-19T07:30:09.837-06:00Emmanuel and CompassionTruth be told, I just wanted to go to the concert. When my Mom asked if I wanted to volunteer with Compassion I figured it would be a good way to get to see the concert for free. So I said yes.<br />
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I didn't really have the time to go. My life had become overwhelmed by Christmas program planning, working extra hours, and there were plenty of things at home I could have done instead. <br />
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But I've always been a big Michael W. Smith fan. I mean, there were posters on the wall of my teenage bedroom. I went to every concert. I bought t-shirts. I owned every album. Perhaps my following of him had waned a bit in the years since junior high. Still, his music was good. And nothing beats some of his Christmas songs that my Mom still plays every year when we decorate the tree at her house.<br />
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Mom sent me a link and I filled out the online form saying I would help at the event. I had done this once before and it hadn't been the best experience. Nothing had gone "wrong". I just hadn't been very successful. This time, Mom and I were going to be "table volunteers". It sounded more my style than wandering the aisles of the arena.<br />
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We quickly made our way to the event. We got a great parking spot. A very friendly gentleman saw us approaching and opened the door and showed us where to go. We were greeted by a friendly volunteer in a Compassion vest. Then there came the training. I was initially unsure about all of this. Forms can be intimidating. I also didn't know if I would feel very comfortable showing someone how to use the ipad to search for a child to sponsor, etc. <br />
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Before we knew it, Mom and I were sitting behind a table. A table covered in faces of children. Children in need of hope.<br />
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Mom started laying her hands on their packets as the people walked by - eager to get to their seats inside. As she prayed I looked down and read some of their names. I couldn't pronounce very many but what I did understand was some of the other information on the packet. Some children had been waiting 580 days for a sponsor. You see, no one picks them because they are older kids. And much like adoption, people are looking for the cute, young children - not the 15 year old girl. Some of those packets had small symbols indicating that that particular child was at risk for HIV/AIDS. Some had a symbol that indicated they were at a high risk of being a victim of human trafficking. And some kids, some had all 3 symbols. <br />
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I looked down at the faces of two children. A little boy and a little girl. Both with several of those markers on the outsides of their packets. <i>They are the ones, Lord</i>, I prayed. <i> These two. If no one else - let these two get chosen tonight. </i><br />
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We did go in and listen to a few songs before the intermission. And then it was time to head back to our table. I sat. But I wouldn't be sitting for long. <br />
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I was pleasantly surprised when a few people stepped up. They scanned the table and chose a packet. I helped them fill out the form inside. It was easy. They went on their way - their eyes full of a new hope and a tender love. Immediately someone else stepped up to the table. I pointed out some of those symbols that indicated who had been waiting the longest, who was most at risk for AIDS, who was at risk of being trafficked. And then there was another couple. Another man. A woman looking for a little girl to sponsor. I was helping three people at once. So were the other 3 volunteers at my table. <br />
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One gentleman stepped up to the table asking to sponsor a child born on a certain birthday. We got out the ipad, typed in the date, and a sweet face came up. He sponsored that one and then another with a different specific birthdate. Perhaps his children or grandchildren's birthdays. I don't know. But those days they were significant to him. And they are significant to children who will know his name soon.<br />
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We could barely keep up. I pointed out the packets of those two children I had prayed over and they were selected early. I pointed out other packets of older children who had been waiting for more than a year for a sponsor and they were selected quickly. There were groups of women who came forward and each one sponsored a child and then with a nervous, delighted laugh declared that they had a new daughters. <br />
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I was busy answering questions and helping people search through the packets when one woman handed me a packet in her hands. "I want to sponsor this one," she said. "Wonderful!" I answered with a warm smile. And as I was about to pull out the registration form, she said, "And I will take this one too." Her hands picked up another packet off the table. "His birthday is the day my son died." <br />
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I had no words. I still don't know if I do. I could only nod.<br />
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I helped her fill out her forms and then I looked at her and I said, "Because of the timing of all of this, these kids will find out that they have a sponsor on Christmas Day." <br />
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She smiled, her fingers wrapping around the packets of two children. One she had chosen on her own. Another God had chosen just for that night, just for that table, just for her eyes. He knew when that child was born that that birthdate would one day mean something to someone on the other side of the world. Someone who would choose to love out of a place of great loss. And oh that sounds just like something He would do, doesn't it?<br />
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I counted the forms that night at the end. More than 40 children from just our table. There were 2 other tables on other sides of the arena. <br />
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The music, yes, it was good. The songs that all is well and that Emmanuel is with us rang out over my table - my table with the "empty" places. Empty places because so many had chosen to fill and empty place in a child's life on the other side of the world. Thirty-eight fewer dollars a month for us. A world of new possibilities and hope for them.<br />
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God with us in the best possible way.<br />
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Maybe, just maybe, your child is waiting <a href="https://www.compassion.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.Miz Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334494599805008376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219573.post-5687155589703953882019-12-17T07:30:00.000-06:002019-12-17T07:48:22.584-06:00Happy 7th Birthday, Hunter!<br />
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Dear Hunter,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Today you are seven years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's amazing to look back and see the
progression of our days with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
could have never imagined the little boy you would be that blizzarding day when
we took you home from the hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here’s a little bit about seven-year-old you.</div>
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You love to snuggle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We started a new thing this year where we snuggle in the morning for a
few minutes when I wake you up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
slow wake up and those quiet moments together are sweet and the perfect start
to our day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a few years you really
struggled with school anxiety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But with
some easy, small changes to the morning routines around here you seem to have
kicked those worries to the curb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You go through your morning tasks almost entirely on your
own and have a great attitude about school.</div>
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Not a day goes by where you don’t play with your
sisters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On any given day you might get
along better with one of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they
are your best friends and I love that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You love to play legos, and games and farm with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And generally, they love doing things with
you too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so thankful for the gentle
way they love you with their time and attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a gift those relationships will be as
you grow older.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4euxF4WhWrBvxZgI9B7_lD4gKVbu2m9aVAjPTFPu6ihNg6vJ3tlC-s2Y6Xbk_c9lujZap7hvsBFNGGJsMbuDzVWRxjVdLsyveiKVBuCbaWNX83BcagZv_WVBxB4rhI_me1fyZ/s1600/DSC00337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1144" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4euxF4WhWrBvxZgI9B7_lD4gKVbu2m9aVAjPTFPu6ihNg6vJ3tlC-s2Y6Xbk_c9lujZap7hvsBFNGGJsMbuDzVWRxjVdLsyveiKVBuCbaWNX83BcagZv_WVBxB4rhI_me1fyZ/s320/DSC00337.JPG" width="228" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWg0DX62QmDaFf7DwKMH4ugOJbjaZBlokB2Sxn-L6PWuyc980OZ3n0WWCsHww-Is2N7INvL7hVi_68R99wXM_wmKGPMWv_spegUTJ5ZDP-1H3UIZS2cBPe5V1qb7VFTbf89xv/s1600/IMG_2647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWg0DX62QmDaFf7DwKMH4ugOJbjaZBlokB2Sxn-L6PWuyc980OZ3n0WWCsHww-Is2N7INvL7hVi_68R99wXM_wmKGPMWv_spegUTJ5ZDP-1H3UIZS2cBPe5V1qb7VFTbf89xv/s320/IMG_2647.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9g6D5Vcjy6mcTP033fO31z76UQxRalAetBkS2Wew2D-hbzlC2en77A7yjXyZJoA1jTCsdMOWUb_x9N69LTPa9VIMLphc7sTIMdXxhZZQNpJDX-xUtFx3HlWyEmBUlvw67raHP/s1600/DSC00474-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1145" data-original-width="1600" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9g6D5Vcjy6mcTP033fO31z76UQxRalAetBkS2Wew2D-hbzlC2en77A7yjXyZJoA1jTCsdMOWUb_x9N69LTPa9VIMLphc7sTIMdXxhZZQNpJDX-xUtFx3HlWyEmBUlvw67raHP/s320/DSC00474-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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As far as school goes, you love PE, art and math.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are also an amazing reader. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems like you made the jump from early
readers to chapter books overnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
especially love Dogman and other graphic novels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strangely, you complain whenever it is
reading time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in just minutes you
are completely absorbed in your book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>School isn’t tough for you and I am proud of the way you put forth your
best effort in your schoolwork.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoszEablhgoC3FBvgarH7htZS9hOAS5QXvYUuskfZu_oLft_anLlqIFo9-w120BJqb4auJAwPEypZ4A63uTewBwOcY8x565IF47ZUvtUia2r1gMqOefBhtB0z7VlGeQ5zPvBTP/s1600/DSC00176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoszEablhgoC3FBvgarH7htZS9hOAS5QXvYUuskfZu_oLft_anLlqIFo9-w120BJqb4auJAwPEypZ4A63uTewBwOcY8x565IF47ZUvtUia2r1gMqOefBhtB0z7VlGeQ5zPvBTP/s320/DSC00176.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAWGR4IZ0TfEChLJwbSoLKVor41_sMbfpwIBTT_WJfUgXN8FDMHiHQflplNZ3zm39_GzqZ65Xyj1wkm6S_IaDnS3-FHYggNpByuVjxQO2GBn86Q47CtgvQ-oC381OuquKMDzB/s1600/IMG_3105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAWGR4IZ0TfEChLJwbSoLKVor41_sMbfpwIBTT_WJfUgXN8FDMHiHQflplNZ3zm39_GzqZ65Xyj1wkm6S_IaDnS3-FHYggNpByuVjxQO2GBn86Q47CtgvQ-oC381OuquKMDzB/s320/IMG_3105.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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You seem to be following in Maddie’s footsteps as you
love to draw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You spend many hours at
our coffee table drawing pictures of tractors, sports cars, red trucks,
animals, and people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes you
illustrate your own book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You really are
a good little artist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLlsmrmzu0B98r976AM80tCmO5QLq3ibxkcyXoa1swEF-RmIAaicYWZQNQy5bVobZxEMzUVKPxvFZFpK_Lm1PDT16BT9dFyjNS4utj7pxwgdjsqrSC_-f1h1xxgZIXBm668XD/s1600/DSC00202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLlsmrmzu0B98r976AM80tCmO5QLq3ibxkcyXoa1swEF-RmIAaicYWZQNQy5bVobZxEMzUVKPxvFZFpK_Lm1PDT16BT9dFyjNS4utj7pxwgdjsqrSC_-f1h1xxgZIXBm668XD/s320/DSC00202.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SKl3b_3Oumf0ct7nXULRiwDG5NwJCFckwAyMtCB9YSsPs1bp7H3uluGI0_odsEjG6FOQYwyBD7EiGFKmQMc4mlqCivDdsjMEGFAaTP9MqdM0uCLyUZrOwYsWxZk8EKgUpXJB/s1600/summer.2019.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SKl3b_3Oumf0ct7nXULRiwDG5NwJCFckwAyMtCB9YSsPs1bp7H3uluGI0_odsEjG6FOQYwyBD7EiGFKmQMc4mlqCivDdsjMEGFAaTP9MqdM0uCLyUZrOwYsWxZk8EKgUpXJB/s320/summer.2019.2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Playing soccer and softball with your Dad are your
favorite sports activities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was fun
to see how much you had improved with your soccer skills this fall compared to
last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the summer scooters and
bikes and swimming give you great exercise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You are quite the little fish!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
good waterpark is one of your favorite things.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNvTTJA5OIDJbRB7998JK1Qd3HRna-ap8vcOHfyEVMSpxa1yri-xT6q2vlF13mbQP3aT3zF2W94ftbFvFkQ94nueRZ8IUmjPWEZYV408xtqIKU68tTaCpqFihdOEDl3nvsJo1/s1600/IMG_2945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNvTTJA5OIDJbRB7998JK1Qd3HRna-ap8vcOHfyEVMSpxa1yri-xT6q2vlF13mbQP3aT3zF2W94ftbFvFkQ94nueRZ8IUmjPWEZYV408xtqIKU68tTaCpqFihdOEDl3nvsJo1/s320/IMG_2945.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCN27B2q_-QYzfJ6is-AfLbiyp25rzz3CGXfX3_wBup3xPp4-wuJNKs3O67__Shuokrt7zkgKABta-70XgXA0aFyP7-jGXHLzJZYHsF0xeTdlPFWDfR3VB8A5KaHgdAizf0Ko/s1600/IMG_2981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCN27B2q_-QYzfJ6is-AfLbiyp25rzz3CGXfX3_wBup3xPp4-wuJNKs3O67__Shuokrt7zkgKABta-70XgXA0aFyP7-jGXHLzJZYHsF0xeTdlPFWDfR3VB8A5KaHgdAizf0Ko/s320/IMG_2981.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Nothing bothers you quite as much as being teased.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love to tease people in our family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are quick to jump up from your chair at
the supper table and give Dad bunny ears for absolutely no reason
whatsoever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we have learned not to
tease you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You only want people to laugh
at you if you are intentionally making them laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being the youngest in the family and being
the only boy presents some challenges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While your sisters love you so much and often think you are terribly
cute, you really don’t welcome that kind of doting and coddling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9j91d0e3thJIRGdYjGRdd3Bo1x6Xv7dpS-xPE4XxVVz__K9hs1W2ZjUOs6nMCMMbfW8ixNo8Ai-wx7RidBjXVLVsizmUzgIc9q3fRpTyfDNBQd5Wl0v-Q3yPO_8mUOHQFhIF/s1600/DSC00214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1065" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9j91d0e3thJIRGdYjGRdd3Bo1x6Xv7dpS-xPE4XxVVz__K9hs1W2ZjUOs6nMCMMbfW8ixNo8Ai-wx7RidBjXVLVsizmUzgIc9q3fRpTyfDNBQd5Wl0v-Q3yPO_8mUOHQFhIF/s320/DSC00214.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIX8rwAVJE6qYVBCSXZ1n8aAQqTQiELxAypPhSrtWJumA7qEDiJ_ReryrsDPEBOVRiWsoSJe0154EQdTeRYatW5A0RhKU3voxuhyphenhyphen5Ee5zVZcgj30VZMUzTFakZKOT1WZ4I4N7S/s1600/summer.2019.3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIX8rwAVJE6qYVBCSXZ1n8aAQqTQiELxAypPhSrtWJumA7qEDiJ_ReryrsDPEBOVRiWsoSJe0154EQdTeRYatW5A0RhKU3voxuhyphenhyphen5Ee5zVZcgj30VZMUzTFakZKOT1WZ4I4N7S/s320/summer.2019.3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You love tigers and koalas and giraffes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your favorite color is red.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re not so into movies but you love
watching videos on youtube.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You like to
help me bake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love chocolate and
Mountain Dew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are absolutely
convinced that when you are old enough to drive you will have a black truck
with black rims (a blackout).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You want
to play the drums when you get older.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You hate haircuts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuv8w9dNExNQKra36KfIGknCV18Zj1uqRY4kz-AHvYzKmjDL8NEvtAlA1r8mVey-IlMuEQkpVc3PpAl-1I9ImvkvM2yqCXm3iUZyM4NmLBsZzRdd7Q8bGJmM-PLCbuRglhxn1/s1600/IMG_2675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuv8w9dNExNQKra36KfIGknCV18Zj1uqRY4kz-AHvYzKmjDL8NEvtAlA1r8mVey-IlMuEQkpVc3PpAl-1I9ImvkvM2yqCXm3iUZyM4NmLBsZzRdd7Q8bGJmM-PLCbuRglhxn1/s320/IMG_2675.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFGCu3FdzTm9V8qkYK1SXdShsLLXib1YEyZ_cEhp1emj4uAkY6BrWJjOTnLgubx4q4cVXtHH3ATuTebTR1dykNOWd2tvG08BVQR7YPg50U9l3QSH2NGFSHf1txyoHhC6hTgzR/s1600/P1240241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFGCu3FdzTm9V8qkYK1SXdShsLLXib1YEyZ_cEhp1emj4uAkY6BrWJjOTnLgubx4q4cVXtHH3ATuTebTR1dykNOWd2tvG08BVQR7YPg50U9l3QSH2NGFSHf1txyoHhC6hTgzR/s320/P1240241.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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You are growing up in so many ways.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWiliCuNnC7RKSc2F3nJmUzWuSgZhLvKv7Puuo8u-7dcGLwcrI-MmP9Xp8RJDeFJhTzHZxvNcLjD9Ylgxfdz8t9BYqCRSu-ljGdN9kwOc72K9QXSBqIjECPn5CZdqn28bJUjh/s1600/IMG_3069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWiliCuNnC7RKSc2F3nJmUzWuSgZhLvKv7Puuo8u-7dcGLwcrI-MmP9Xp8RJDeFJhTzHZxvNcLjD9Ylgxfdz8t9BYqCRSu-ljGdN9kwOc72K9QXSBqIjECPn5CZdqn28bJUjh/s320/IMG_3069.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcivUXhhQZql_TYrjnVfwGTbkPOlCijXbeWqOpcDTkK97cc9T9sPv2HzUlHURe_XzG1evGZB4EhXhaRhpzKWmB-GY69_A-OoX2Gll9EUt2zNNCShz0U3oSFlQil9Ns1rNc51E/s1600/P1230966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcivUXhhQZql_TYrjnVfwGTbkPOlCijXbeWqOpcDTkK97cc9T9sPv2HzUlHURe_XzG1evGZB4EhXhaRhpzKWmB-GY69_A-OoX2Gll9EUt2zNNCShz0U3oSFlQil9Ns1rNc51E/s320/P1230966.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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And yet…you are still my little boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still find your little hand slipping into
mine when we are walking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You still
climb up into my lap for devotions after supper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every night Dad reads a story to you and
prays with you and tucks you in, but then you call for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get lots of hugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdB9cmtkViJJQ0xfloP4LzWbJDVwNBB_07Fdlv6QofWaFTaNfC3M3n8oGb1pM4zERPdAPbrjPBLKZpKiP3RTU8NSY5AmH1wRjbqG9V2WibLS5QDnpbxlpsZjRadDUDLyD2-7cN/s1600/DSC00340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdB9cmtkViJJQ0xfloP4LzWbJDVwNBB_07Fdlv6QofWaFTaNfC3M3n8oGb1pM4zERPdAPbrjPBLKZpKiP3RTU8NSY5AmH1wRjbqG9V2WibLS5QDnpbxlpsZjRadDUDLyD2-7cN/s320/DSC00340.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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As much as I love those hugs, there is something about you
that I love even more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love to hear
you pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every night when we take turns
praying after supper, you have the sweetest prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The things you pray for vary, but you always
say, “Thank you for dying on the cross.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The words Pastor Ryan spoke over you in your baptism echo in my
memory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“For you Jesus came into the
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For you he died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All this he did for you little one, though you
know nothing of it as yet.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you are
starting to know it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see the way He is
shaping you, your character, your personality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I see the way you are learning to walk in His ways – the choices you
make, the truths you choose to tell, the kindnesses you show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see the way it is sometimes super hard for
you to follow him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes it costs
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in small seven-year-old ways
you are doing it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see Him working in
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its my prayer that you will
continue to trust Him – that you will continue to live in thankfulness for the
price He paid for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6v5Nz07IBKFU-Z44XiiYx6xkhVuyNRcU1ZHzDDc0JyQmRcxav9k88kYGfw87sGadSsn2ZaVI9ldO3B5RGV_H9mJRi8H7uc-t5IgXD0-QDNe9Y6CjmcNWWQm3W84c7wKa7BChZ/s1600/IMG_3065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6v5Nz07IBKFU-Z44XiiYx6xkhVuyNRcU1ZHzDDc0JyQmRcxav9k88kYGfw87sGadSsn2ZaVI9ldO3B5RGV_H9mJRi8H7uc-t5IgXD0-QDNe9Y6CjmcNWWQm3W84c7wKa7BChZ/s320/IMG_3065.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I love you, Hunter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Out of all the little boys in the world, I would have chosen you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so grateful God chose you for me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitufZJDHuK3A404fZ7JGHx6iMTWFh1-2IIbNegwvjouHfSNKIMU6Y4u0FrxR1B6lCpiOObgsh44jr1bBfcGdAe8Bc0Z6ECRePtIHzj5VwMohvKqbsZtRU4FdMqC91-LpQsGWcA/s1600/DSC00216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1278" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitufZJDHuK3A404fZ7JGHx6iMTWFh1-2IIbNegwvjouHfSNKIMU6Y4u0FrxR1B6lCpiOObgsh44jr1bBfcGdAe8Bc0Z6ECRePtIHzj5VwMohvKqbsZtRU4FdMqC91-LpQsGWcA/s320/DSC00216.JPG" width="255" /></a></div>
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Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mom<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxhQXyEr3HhAx_qqkUuDTI_AMw4jWUOg2vYbjnr9k7_azaxIJwFbDPZi8Q7cRgptHI_c_uPzxi-A0flO2Nrp_tbevAbhpC4rt0oTiHQumnMTcQofRLraKDN9R5XMmjAOmSZeJ/s1600/IMG_3057+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxhQXyEr3HhAx_qqkUuDTI_AMw4jWUOg2vYbjnr9k7_azaxIJwFbDPZi8Q7cRgptHI_c_uPzxi-A0flO2Nrp_tbevAbhpC4rt0oTiHQumnMTcQofRLraKDN9R5XMmjAOmSZeJ/s320/IMG_3057+%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Miz Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334494599805008376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219573.post-64975401756709436162019-11-22T10:04:00.000-06:002019-11-22T10:15:06.080-06:00Happy 13, Reagan!<br />
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Dear Reagan,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Today you are officially a teenager.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t really know how it is possible that
thirteen years have passed since the first time I saw your face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps time is harder to mark because
parenting you has not been an enormous challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s not to say I always know what I am
doing (I don’t), but that you are such a great kid and there hasn’t been a lot
of struggle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s a little bit about
thirteen-year-old you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5Ix3kJcJzsnE8_4bttxvU6du2t_ygv8tK0FURzspfp8b8yt2Byty3kwBQctD9wDPZ0I3KB3OFmzDz1lduoQ83bLkpYCj-viro877_Ja586gbkmYpS_B73B9r8z63bpnK-PVO/s1600/DSC00244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5Ix3kJcJzsnE8_4bttxvU6du2t_ygv8tK0FURzspfp8b8yt2Byty3kwBQctD9wDPZ0I3KB3OFmzDz1lduoQ83bLkpYCj-viro877_Ja586gbkmYpS_B73B9r8z63bpnK-PVO/s320/DSC00244.JPG" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSxBGWEj8kja1bXwXnZc2miepDQYGr0V8x1iLjlbXMwTvwtuTtOEt7IZ8XVOu4YidNiPOIbDQsdIaORKXbuXf3n8reDZK-oJCJEAQzO8g0Ze1XdaXg5XtLvFEntH44lacQ4DxD/s1600/DSC00171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSxBGWEj8kja1bXwXnZc2miepDQYGr0V8x1iLjlbXMwTvwtuTtOEt7IZ8XVOu4YidNiPOIbDQsdIaORKXbuXf3n8reDZK-oJCJEAQzO8g0Ze1XdaXg5XtLvFEntH44lacQ4DxD/s320/DSC00171.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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You are the most responsible kid I have ever
encountered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The times I have to tell
you to do something are few and far between.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You thrive on rhythm and routine and schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You manage your own spaces, your own
homework, and your own chores with almost no input from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hear the same from your teachers and
pretty much everyone who interacts with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We know we can trust you to do whatever it is that you need to do and I
am impressed by the mature way witch which you handle your life.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKo65Awm-BimLAy5khfRXUg6iJXVBoLLIG5J_745f7-aCxMmjmJGKbgKGpS5PVtFj5i5v53oDquRxjLVNKHDocjSFyGZabgaU57i0eicNvn0VuL8VxmFrC3KV9YOUxC4Do33l6/s1600/7A2E8C03-2049-4302-ACC3-93EC3C8211D8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKo65Awm-BimLAy5khfRXUg6iJXVBoLLIG5J_745f7-aCxMmjmJGKbgKGpS5PVtFj5i5v53oDquRxjLVNKHDocjSFyGZabgaU57i0eicNvn0VuL8VxmFrC3KV9YOUxC4Do33l6/s320/7A2E8C03-2049-4302-ACC3-93EC3C8211D8.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKQUws74_UdCuRhy9-bybvvrbAUA_Y37uxWsCX1HXjJBXfuLHFjQXga0F-e1fxXvS9clQMT_ZWZBKTu-Bwn5W81aRTB1IuAhjv5HvCDf_Qa5_ElBO_29dA0onIcXQnnaMb96z/s1600/7B88CF5B-CDAD-42EF-8F0F-14739B5DA8B8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKQUws74_UdCuRhy9-bybvvrbAUA_Y37uxWsCX1HXjJBXfuLHFjQXga0F-e1fxXvS9clQMT_ZWZBKTu-Bwn5W81aRTB1IuAhjv5HvCDf_Qa5_ElBO_29dA0onIcXQnnaMb96z/s320/7B88CF5B-CDAD-42EF-8F0F-14739B5DA8B8.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You also love to organize and “declutter”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no idea where you get this from
(hahaha).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of your favorite things to
do is to clean out and organize a space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I happen to love this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your
siblings are less enamored with your talent to “get rid of things” and your
offers to help them clean their rooms are met with less than enthusiastic
responses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s the hidden gem in all
of that – you are extremely content.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
almost never WANT anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if
someone offers to buy you something you politely decline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coming up with wish lists for you for birthdays
and Christmas is almost impossible because you simply don’t really feel like
you want or need anything other than what you have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It isn’t that you have so very many things,
but that you are so at ease with the material belongings you do have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s an amazing quality to have and one I
hope you hold onto for many years to come.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We really can’t talk about who you are without mentioning
your musical talent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many
times we hear a song on the radio in the car and when I come in the house you
are sounding it out on the piano.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve
heard you playing songs from The Greatest Showman on your trumpet before which
you just “figured out”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are also a
lovely singer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are super proud of the
hard work you put into your music and just as thrilled that you love it as much
as you do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The combination of your
innate abilities and your work ethic are blazing a trail of music success in
your life.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinagadTfLkHyT2GHmqGY9IZqylWTth-4kTl7uHHnxfJevCUYu3xVFvnijrf-SWHGAlEbI_fR-zq9xEk9Q85b0_ZXm6DzhWxa6QwkL39KLPAycvqX3mWQXIGOwiDEIxVIkqnDcW/s1600/DSC00351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinagadTfLkHyT2GHmqGY9IZqylWTth-4kTl7uHHnxfJevCUYu3xVFvnijrf-SWHGAlEbI_fR-zq9xEk9Q85b0_ZXm6DzhWxa6QwkL39KLPAycvqX3mWQXIGOwiDEIxVIkqnDcW/s320/DSC00351.JPG" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvfXdPi7v1DRhq9T-7MSK2zg4-UdqtF0MJSvXeB-8U3ga4HphyphenhyphenFBXAC7e2Ze2ZYudTpID0_Z0vLw-d1HO7QkXAK1kFq2hRBORXXmwT36kUmFN4GxghK4t6e8WCEljcXyygeSP/s1600/76205930_10162339627235702_2532407589254201344_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvfXdPi7v1DRhq9T-7MSK2zg4-UdqtF0MJSvXeB-8U3ga4HphyphenhyphenFBXAC7e2Ze2ZYudTpID0_Z0vLw-d1HO7QkXAK1kFq2hRBORXXmwT36kUmFN4GxghK4t6e8WCEljcXyygeSP/s320/76205930_10162339627235702_2532407589254201344_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Its funny to watch you out and about other places because
you are so much quieter than you are at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I realize that is true of a lot of kids and its certainly true for
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At home you can be a complete
goofball sometimes and you love to tease your siblings and your Dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that is the last thing you would do at
school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’d much rather fly under the
radar there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I hope you realize that most people
really like you because you are just so kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Don’t be afraid to be yourself because you are extremely sweet and
likable.<o:p></o:p></div>
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You get along really well with Hunter and pretty good with
Maddie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are their big sister leading
the way and truthfully, they could not have a better example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You set the bar high, but you never lord it
over them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are the voice of reason
in almost every conflict.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are fair
and calm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are a peacekeeper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they both love you more than I can put
into words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUz9rOaQytCv-vJxGBiwk8VhpfP7bjOMzGzv1i8OWHDBRm9PLfSbD7NPsBfSNOV57w5q0m5xkZvtwD4NwlOrNUtHRfp_OmDfEcFpBmI4ADOR7noqeJGI7lYMP8u9UEAs-70Prs/s1600/67198645_10161882018855702_5565388789313961984_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUz9rOaQytCv-vJxGBiwk8VhpfP7bjOMzGzv1i8OWHDBRm9PLfSbD7NPsBfSNOV57w5q0m5xkZvtwD4NwlOrNUtHRfp_OmDfEcFpBmI4ADOR7noqeJGI7lYMP8u9UEAs-70Prs/s320/67198645_10161882018855702_5565388789313961984_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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You genuinely love small children and because of your calm,
quiet nature they love you as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
have a gentle and unobtrusive way with kids that is far beyond me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You still say you would like to be a teacher
and I can totally see that in you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
would be a great teacher because in a lot of ways you already are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAs4OST8V-YzMhsJybIlWI9j0F6p8XE4R9EuuDio_lK_SEwOJcMJnNiPk3ouehGCKnK0Oax11tECVtv1Q8dswKwvv9Fc-jqIdrpu8Ylo7GAL5hj9h69KfAO2V3wcogyGFEP2Rb/s1600/C98149D7-D6DA-49AC-A0FC-4ADEC172845D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAs4OST8V-YzMhsJybIlWI9j0F6p8XE4R9EuuDio_lK_SEwOJcMJnNiPk3ouehGCKnK0Oax11tECVtv1Q8dswKwvv9Fc-jqIdrpu8Ylo7GAL5hj9h69KfAO2V3wcogyGFEP2Rb/s320/C98149D7-D6DA-49AC-A0FC-4ADEC172845D.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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One of my other favorite qualities about you is your
wisdom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This isn’t something that I
anticipated noticing in my 13-year-old child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I sort of expected to be seeing a lot of poor decisions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yeah, there are a few every now and
then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But for the most part you make
really good choices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That gives me so
much peace about you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also affects
every other part of your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes
you genuine, compassionate, and honest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A little while back you got left out of a friend thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You got in the car after school and talked
quietly about it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You weren’t
angry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You weren’t bitter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You weren’t shocked or surprised or
upset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you got done telling me
about what was going on you said very quietly, “I’m just a little sad
today.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You seemed to know it was a low
moment and that it would go away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
didn’t hold a grudge against anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
just accepted a situation and admitted feeling low.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This blew me away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still shake my head when I think about
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You already are the kind of young
woman that I would want you to be.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5dL1bveIz_tviKoJ2h5RmIF1km_8nTD3vofSSHEqux5TiXUjlRdcbdBuzgEtVoI5Y7u3ZoJuC3JFJyINzwuo5B9uzBjOP-87EWLXliyGC9MUTSuqp18hdztsbyqMUSr4PIMa/s1600/DSC00207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5dL1bveIz_tviKoJ2h5RmIF1km_8nTD3vofSSHEqux5TiXUjlRdcbdBuzgEtVoI5Y7u3ZoJuC3JFJyINzwuo5B9uzBjOP-87EWLXliyGC9MUTSuqp18hdztsbyqMUSr4PIMa/s320/DSC00207.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfxZYzyJGap6aY5Zc07NrI1r7k_kZ14i3Jcu2kpoygdbY8dtjOVBtgynV7MfIDnXXJfk7jjJOH3QIJ2i6My3VWmICA9BRn3mTMccQH8_ELNp72RgAaiz7_dWmDLsSlNJvlx6q/s1600/DSC00170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfxZYzyJGap6aY5Zc07NrI1r7k_kZ14i3Jcu2kpoygdbY8dtjOVBtgynV7MfIDnXXJfk7jjJOH3QIJ2i6My3VWmICA9BRn3mTMccQH8_ELNp72RgAaiz7_dWmDLsSlNJvlx6q/s320/DSC00170.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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I love how solid you are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I love how calm and even-keeled you are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wish I could say that was something you learned from me but…yeah, we
both know it isn’t.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1-tREuRkT4U4bO48JRRkKK6MFjM05XbTOjUvyVk3dlMg5_pyx1qx4e8NkNFhZYUBUIBNKWAdxUbDflwhizuJJo6Qr2I68k-sZcs-dgvZKdGqW30PWxniRT1oAjHiRjiExKVI/s1600/DSC00474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1145" data-original-width="1600" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1-tREuRkT4U4bO48JRRkKK6MFjM05XbTOjUvyVk3dlMg5_pyx1qx4e8NkNFhZYUBUIBNKWAdxUbDflwhizuJJo6Qr2I68k-sZcs-dgvZKdGqW30PWxniRT1oAjHiRjiExKVI/s320/DSC00474.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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You still love legos, polar bears, soccer and twist
donuts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You prefer raw crunchy veggies
to just about all other foods (another thing you did not inherit from me).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You like reading mysteries and your favorite
subject at school is Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love
Jesus and your family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your favorite
colors are pink and turquoise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love
comfy clothes and a tidy room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You make
13 look fun instead of awkward.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DCrtJf35Unbzwso51iXlbQHrLD7Dc_iH-JGwVsJESjaIA8DubF_1mZoKIw6lT6ySExoiLa8yN07iuMVtblzdqwjeZBwDrfHMef_Id4E3p94OtI06-xQmelyP1Zb-vW4X4t5R/s1600/4A75A387-9E78-4296-B55E-B232A53F8746.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DCrtJf35Unbzwso51iXlbQHrLD7Dc_iH-JGwVsJESjaIA8DubF_1mZoKIw6lT6ySExoiLa8yN07iuMVtblzdqwjeZBwDrfHMef_Id4E3p94OtI06-xQmelyP1Zb-vW4X4t5R/s320/4A75A387-9E78-4296-B55E-B232A53F8746.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Last week you got your braces off after over 4 years of
ortho appointments, rubber bands, expanders, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t get to see you until late that
evening at a concert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh Reagan, you are
so beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You always have been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you are growing into such a lovely young
woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know how easy it is to doubt
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know how easy it is to feel
self-conscious about your appearance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But believe me when I say that you are pretty on the outside and even
more beautiful on the inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All that
is good in you shines through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It still
weirds me out that you are almost as tall as me, that I have to shop in the
women’s department for your clothes, and that we have the same shoe size.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But seeing you becoming you is awesome and I
wouldn’t trade the YOU you are becoming for anything in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUrSyZjTmNWgKhItL566LpZ-8yvJe4TIyGcrfODmxEzRtCLMcRzOgggI0nkVFwQU7cKGo2cWgGFfRfPJyKo-_rCLZV7NJPL_Xk3gRr5dr4r0Rh8iOGzND1bEGMJ2KQfZwXX8V/s1600/DSC00360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1142" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUrSyZjTmNWgKhItL566LpZ-8yvJe4TIyGcrfODmxEzRtCLMcRzOgggI0nkVFwQU7cKGo2cWgGFfRfPJyKo-_rCLZV7NJPL_Xk3gRr5dr4r0Rh8iOGzND1bEGMJ2KQfZwXX8V/s320/DSC00360.JPG" width="228" /></a></div>
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I love you more than you will ever know.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyPx_x8iZ_mvYjPKeuCWTXyfSirfO1Flph_JzW9hZIDibaW6eiiG23dKbst97ks5jWYmir1eOH8dw0y0ILMIakozeVsYEAmEnQePvKu8uMRcEcKcOnpopw5YReOOJC9gTRZrS/s1600/74892341_10162339626695702_953305323202936832_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyPx_x8iZ_mvYjPKeuCWTXyfSirfO1Flph_JzW9hZIDibaW6eiiG23dKbst97ks5jWYmir1eOH8dw0y0ILMIakozeVsYEAmEnQePvKu8uMRcEcKcOnpopw5YReOOJC9gTRZrS/s320/74892341_10162339626695702_953305323202936832_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIzb8XrydNcNhgyt6DXAow1yeDSA7-ruGyIeBCV9IO2Z3dLT09F9s8pU_QqcaQz5TPnDrGUm1cihX-rFm2-YpqWzoAOY28Q2_4PKU7YPWyR4xyf1MeBDObElZYoNCkEUieK1L/s1600/DSC00496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIzb8XrydNcNhgyt6DXAow1yeDSA7-ruGyIeBCV9IO2Z3dLT09F9s8pU_QqcaQz5TPnDrGUm1cihX-rFm2-YpqWzoAOY28Q2_4PKU7YPWyR4xyf1MeBDObElZYoNCkEUieK1L/s320/DSC00496.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mom<o:p></o:p></div>
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Miz Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334494599805008376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219573.post-1008772415837214222019-05-13T07:00:00.000-05:002019-05-13T07:00:05.905-05:00Happy 10th Birthday Maddie!<br />
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Dear Maddie,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Today marks an entire decade, ten whole years, of life for
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With every passing year, you become
more and more unique and vibrant – a brighter and truer version of the sweet
girl I have known and a clearer glimpse of the lovely young woman who is yet to
be.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dYDhdsR8rUt07xLuzF6njf_Q8UnClV3DVGw15Feqz9vWLKjD_1-BiSdCS1Fo69Y6yIBkf2LUhQGfEQ9crDdb1qnWlBpQ4t4cW3KT_M6cgulEqgUrVI4hAetPYdtT0GoWIGq_/s1600/P1230309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1149" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dYDhdsR8rUt07xLuzF6njf_Q8UnClV3DVGw15Feqz9vWLKjD_1-BiSdCS1Fo69Y6yIBkf2LUhQGfEQ9crDdb1qnWlBpQ4t4cW3KT_M6cgulEqgUrVI4hAetPYdtT0GoWIGq_/s320/P1230309.JPG" width="229" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_OnLNi6rlDAqgt8YBMw8YdjHcVGh0oCRVBpIAVS5HUx9vIOCGr_zwovP-WhHlck7OXjWcsr_tkGjAdh9koCIL4fMycKlpnkFuQaVpiYNHGEqIAMW0A66XP-R9wpeBC5akanJ/s1600/P1230347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1274" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_OnLNi6rlDAqgt8YBMw8YdjHcVGh0oCRVBpIAVS5HUx9vIOCGr_zwovP-WhHlck7OXjWcsr_tkGjAdh9koCIL4fMycKlpnkFuQaVpiYNHGEqIAMW0A66XP-R9wpeBC5akanJ/s320/P1230347.JPG" width="254" /></a></div>
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Your first decade has been one to never forget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many times, I find myself hoping that I
will always remember the way you laughed or the goofy pictures you would draw
or the silly way you ask for something when you already know I will say “no”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trying to sum you up in a letter is no small
fete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_x26IC9ntEr8frGaNg3YA-WElJ5VLjsVa1slHhW-zJlirPuMc7Tu69k87nM9F4b06ezw5C3-3c9UYO-Upf0uz-7fiJzF3_6P0zp0JqoI21F1anYU8WljEydxqb7wrBIUDkbF6/s1600/P1230332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_x26IC9ntEr8frGaNg3YA-WElJ5VLjsVa1slHhW-zJlirPuMc7Tu69k87nM9F4b06ezw5C3-3c9UYO-Upf0uz-7fiJzF3_6P0zp0JqoI21F1anYU8WljEydxqb7wrBIUDkbF6/s320/P1230332.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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You continue to be wonderfully creative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether it be art, or music, or writing or
arranging, I am often impressed by your innate natural ability to make
something beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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You are beautifully expressive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you sing or act or read, we can see
every word and emotion in your face and eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You can be very dramatic which can be super fun or a little
draining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Learning how to control all
those amazing feelings you have will be a challenge for you, but I know you can
do it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkclvXDXiaH3NlT-9t24kdN0McB9vQaiMAGY5Cv4EGosO_Kn_rOFwSJjpYsOu673tvszPbR0X-BSDEVq8Y6aJhDNCv7cCrN6WY82hV535QHNUppSt8FfT4-MnLZ92YOfw3faNY/s1600/P1230315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1062" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkclvXDXiaH3NlT-9t24kdN0McB9vQaiMAGY5Cv4EGosO_Kn_rOFwSJjpYsOu673tvszPbR0X-BSDEVq8Y6aJhDNCv7cCrN6WY82hV535QHNUppSt8FfT4-MnLZ92YOfw3faNY/s320/P1230315.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMRcEbAAdEqDcpinTEj6jKUV-TlJSN4F3oiQiz_Wa7Nnbn4FZN_jmWty45wRe8xMlOS7bGwTBIc-GSmx4HeNurljjkaWSnLVRdLrl03cyL_UK9-Cnj8UK1v_LZ5z-s-C2WEtE/s1600/P1230617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMRcEbAAdEqDcpinTEj6jKUV-TlJSN4F3oiQiz_Wa7Nnbn4FZN_jmWty45wRe8xMlOS7bGwTBIc-GSmx4HeNurljjkaWSnLVRdLrl03cyL_UK9-Cnj8UK1v_LZ5z-s-C2WEtE/s320/P1230617.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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One of the things I love the most about you is that you
really don’t seem to have trouble being a friend to anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your kind heart is 100% invested in encouraging
and loving those around you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means at
times that you get hurt because you are less likely to protect yourself as you
seek to befriend others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it also
means you are gloriously brave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is
not one kid in your class that you complain about – no one that you say you
cannot be friends with – because you seem to see the good in them even when it
is hard to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t worry about
fitting in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t worry about doing
the cool thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t worry about
who’s your friend and who isn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s
this crazy courage in you that I love and admire.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjHqPXOo814iu-AFoPJKxU_2VxsgMBfUKRViFgbF6S0g3NYmeKzgH4TKv2TkPu676DA3Yc9TQdAajTj2B2Qdcg2xVUNKM8Sr3s9o2cqcfTKcAYQ1vUKK8ZYFgXp7FheGVTJU3/s1600/P1230738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjHqPXOo814iu-AFoPJKxU_2VxsgMBfUKRViFgbF6S0g3NYmeKzgH4TKv2TkPu676DA3Yc9TQdAajTj2B2Qdcg2xVUNKM8Sr3s9o2cqcfTKcAYQ1vUKK8ZYFgXp7FheGVTJU3/s320/P1230738.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsBTU9WzZvkN2pLbQL7T79cEA5tJiPk8sBOSJsQuvcPQaGMDrdojxWs8EaCrFw8aFoWQqXC0JnP6Lm0DIGYFW6q7qKM2X3xrNmZVJalKgmIVBseO7C5H8ZmGS80e_oy_1qqbC/s1600/IMG_1942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsBTU9WzZvkN2pLbQL7T79cEA5tJiPk8sBOSJsQuvcPQaGMDrdojxWs8EaCrFw8aFoWQqXC0JnP6Lm0DIGYFW6q7qKM2X3xrNmZVJalKgmIVBseO7C5H8ZmGS80e_oy_1qqbC/s320/IMG_1942.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBk2SmlTrSohbdIs0oBqJuO-fgPGCl4GA3ytC-U7YY0L_9zdoa9IpLLMmYQWjmD0k5JHb9SclNr9JiddTLe6bt6nPbLA43WZvJzaAhfaP8TDamXr8iLwOfxEE-LYPZ9x_6O7v/s1600/IMG_2025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBk2SmlTrSohbdIs0oBqJuO-fgPGCl4GA3ytC-U7YY0L_9zdoa9IpLLMmYQWjmD0k5JHb9SclNr9JiddTLe6bt6nPbLA43WZvJzaAhfaP8TDamXr8iLwOfxEE-LYPZ9x_6O7v/s320/IMG_2025.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Perhaps part of the reason for this confidence in you is
that your truest, best friend is your sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even with 2 ½ years between the two of you, you are incredibly
close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That doesn’t mean you always get
along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are incredibly different and
strangely alike all at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Where Reagan might be quiet, you will be boisterous. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where Reagan is particular, you will be carefree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet, the two of you are calm,
considerate, and wise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You share so many
great qualities and I will always be thankful that God gave you to each other. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope and pray that the two of you will be
close your entire lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BVFtFnbhU9uUuneYdVm2NjCX_cSzfIbtihNIU7G5FcgnzFhrv_Y9Bj3B3Ob5hJ0j-e31uAPLQeyVMJT8ZWmgOcamQE8JgW0xDuf1VQdCRcDE1y1geT3lAdxp_Gg_1MqYzaCf/s1600/P1230935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BVFtFnbhU9uUuneYdVm2NjCX_cSzfIbtihNIU7G5FcgnzFhrv_Y9Bj3B3Ob5hJ0j-e31uAPLQeyVMJT8ZWmgOcamQE8JgW0xDuf1VQdCRcDE1y1geT3lAdxp_Gg_1MqYzaCf/s320/P1230935.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsEPKAlXBhoZI1haLYcPQJZBLLe2Xzsss-fUR0DkR2KHkjldpB1KKM_MDK2aKmVY41vrBwWfOPcmBRRLoOirKM_8ZfST-NH_jNmnUWpoE6Tzjp0jeOTj3IJj0fJJ4tIXc-Pnw/s1600/DeVries2018-DeVries2018-0038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1311" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsEPKAlXBhoZI1haLYcPQJZBLLe2Xzsss-fUR0DkR2KHkjldpB1KKM_MDK2aKmVY41vrBwWfOPcmBRRLoOirKM_8ZfST-NH_jNmnUWpoE6Tzjp0jeOTj3IJj0fJJ4tIXc-Pnw/s320/DeVries2018-DeVries2018-0038.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNQt82beAsDWJmZk_hI3PgM_04egqQdsXYrkgmkY3MOhBB1wW1A8eDoFOwITBJfSZmvWQuRgkgXKEGUIRfMBmHU2kTZ0OIzs8tuEoamSWgTv2g2AErbjQ37ItfTx6Xvc8FbEW/s1600/P1230710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNQt82beAsDWJmZk_hI3PgM_04egqQdsXYrkgmkY3MOhBB1wW1A8eDoFOwITBJfSZmvWQuRgkgXKEGUIRfMBmHU2kTZ0OIzs8tuEoamSWgTv2g2AErbjQ37ItfTx6Xvc8FbEW/s320/P1230710.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We can’t talk about siblings without mentioning Hunter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your relationship with Hunter is a little
more…interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes the two of
you have a blast together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes you
would trade him for a bag of Skittles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No
matter if you are getting along well or not, I know you love him deeply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You want so badly to watch over him and help
him and his desire for independence often butts against that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love that you care for him and want what is
best for him, even if it sometimes gets you on his bad side.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lXa9s2_CAbAij-X5aBfVD6P9Rn_m618XTwqbQKjWShjciqEph4sZJEGsRmrm-wCC_pgzqtbtfs7FgArm-osFOi2UOG1LjuBPy3QWhqe0O4w0_CLsaXZ-xAG3H5pvuqPcyQAA/s1600/P1230971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lXa9s2_CAbAij-X5aBfVD6P9Rn_m618XTwqbQKjWShjciqEph4sZJEGsRmrm-wCC_pgzqtbtfs7FgArm-osFOi2UOG1LjuBPy3QWhqe0O4w0_CLsaXZ-xAG3H5pvuqPcyQAA/s320/P1230971.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7yLlZI3rDtMFimlWq-i4iYMO5Dyj6V_9sg3j7N_7dCBAptKVI-XgDS4ufMHqAluJVPQrYe_L91BRuIamKdgpPN5I_50hqtbqHkIHrT945k-BrX8embZ99yqXL90hndygtjds/s1600/DeVries2018-DeVries2018-0036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1261" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7yLlZI3rDtMFimlWq-i4iYMO5Dyj6V_9sg3j7N_7dCBAptKVI-XgDS4ufMHqAluJVPQrYe_L91BRuIamKdgpPN5I_50hqtbqHkIHrT945k-BrX8embZ99yqXL90hndygtjds/s320/DeVries2018-DeVries2018-0036.jpg" width="252" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCcVagj13wg-D8wUIQTn6x97cC8Q5_u8xzxrnTgUBclq4vyd1dcuN0tTMSInTJldfvKXgdX542rKlEfkR6kJDCWtSEu_g_yMtegwXRPjoLgAKx9JBa5wJQczkEntMid15D_1U/s1600/P1230365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCcVagj13wg-D8wUIQTn6x97cC8Q5_u8xzxrnTgUBclq4vyd1dcuN0tTMSInTJldfvKXgdX542rKlEfkR6kJDCWtSEu_g_yMtegwXRPjoLgAKx9JBa5wJQczkEntMid15D_1U/s320/P1230365.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You aren’t terribly competitive, but you do like to do
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Winning a game is fun for you, of
course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But even if you or your team
loses at something you are still happy to just have fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think this makes you a delightful
teammate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will try hard and do your
best, but you will not get carried away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Similarly, you are not a perfectionist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You give great effort, but you let that be enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHd1rbKuKrh3kuEUqzeNkBrYNZ1pBt_fdjQWvPz7H3XQ_CXlWp4Ig7s5bL9XUYg2AS_iXPcm-uW2IBLl1IfOp6GFeA62qfWkphoG0eBQuUUD8lz7LIUCQpVAEy_ZHz1D9h-dS9/s1600/P1230393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHd1rbKuKrh3kuEUqzeNkBrYNZ1pBt_fdjQWvPz7H3XQ_CXlWp4Ig7s5bL9XUYg2AS_iXPcm-uW2IBLl1IfOp6GFeA62qfWkphoG0eBQuUUD8lz7LIUCQpVAEy_ZHz1D9h-dS9/s320/P1230393.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QQqibJavXtR7hHjMsAGSzDKuxcqXCJo4kf8g0NGPC9J661rfak_licFRc-IxAz-5KSpiLxOfXr1_ZloGIcFM27KwxOSjOT5y0I10EZ8RTbvC6FbIRul040vN7Vobw2xs-cha/s1600/P1230755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QQqibJavXtR7hHjMsAGSzDKuxcqXCJo4kf8g0NGPC9J661rfak_licFRc-IxAz-5KSpiLxOfXr1_ZloGIcFM27KwxOSjOT5y0I10EZ8RTbvC6FbIRul040vN7Vobw2xs-cha/s320/P1230755.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some things about you don’t really change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You still love pandas, legos, candy, sherbet,
Nutella, dresses, cute shoes, blue jeans, your Aunt Amy, baking, drawing,
coloring and purple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re fun to be
with, but you are also easy to be around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsMRRumezqwr7FvzTqd5TgfazLyAgNPQtQ_HzbXSRoxUr7j7B9-g52D5wuGJceQjZps0dDfE_4i6LseV7HgpcDC8m4_VV8d2UGDucV9pfOmTg4Z3Fif3lgX8V6OhxlfgNIWL9/s1600/P1230957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsMRRumezqwr7FvzTqd5TgfazLyAgNPQtQ_HzbXSRoxUr7j7B9-g52D5wuGJceQjZps0dDfE_4i6LseV7HgpcDC8m4_VV8d2UGDucV9pfOmTg4Z3Fif3lgX8V6OhxlfgNIWL9/s320/P1230957.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are so quick to love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You don’t give up on people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
I know God has made you that way so that you can do great things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gave you great courage and a selfless
spirit to help you on your way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its fun
to sit back and watch you grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_XzbvVI5hx44c8j_OZyohiCZUnu33SCUiLN0nXrJmGqMZr0MDnemiLCW6YPWEfAEFkM1mx91DOaRoSCLgzfzjXRzVlytahEyVFWpvsRnK_VwIfvLAST7heEFeBkTGFCykX0_/s1600/DeVries2018-0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1233" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_XzbvVI5hx44c8j_OZyohiCZUnu33SCUiLN0nXrJmGqMZr0MDnemiLCW6YPWEfAEFkM1mx91DOaRoSCLgzfzjXRzVlytahEyVFWpvsRnK_VwIfvLAST7heEFeBkTGFCykX0_/s320/DeVries2018-0012.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Perhaps this is strange, but I don’t really sit around and
worry about your future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see who you
are now and how your heart feels and it gives me a sense of peace about
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, there will be challenges and
trials in your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every one of those
struggles is your opportunity to grow deeper in your love for Jesus and even
more courageous in your determination to love others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are so strong and so wise at such a young
age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Its easy to love you, Maddie Grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you love so deeply it is nearly
impossible to not love you deeply in return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m so happy to celebrate a whole decade with you and so excited to see
where the next one takes you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happy
Birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAFAvtEOj160feVucIqb5FyQ8RllksLnyl2zYkHX65wcZAD3x7LpCUglWGaFPyYUSk5yw6BhFbXy8Yut8ezl6jhEkdKlrABRb_rgoe-CtJXFcCMTVlTyl5KuDdpvirIlCfXjQ/s1600/DeVries2018-0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAFAvtEOj160feVucIqb5FyQ8RllksLnyl2zYkHX65wcZAD3x7LpCUglWGaFPyYUSk5yw6BhFbXy8Yut8ezl6jhEkdKlrABRb_rgoe-CtJXFcCMTVlTyl5KuDdpvirIlCfXjQ/s320/DeVries2018-0014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love you so.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mom<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Miz Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334494599805008376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219573.post-28142846702837153222018-12-17T07:30:00.000-06:002018-12-17T07:30:00.158-06:00Happy 6th Birthday Hunter!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Hunter,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today you are six years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Six years of me having a little boy and it has definitely been an
adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me tell you a little bit
about six-year-old you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtj3F7MjiNVvH9lae_TOq4mROnLaCmp4mQp5HCBxWv0HJvfD0E0T0L2TNwtSmwaPsmrlCzwq6Y_qZxri-ZUiNkuhkFecsV1jzVt4HQWgI7z5mpRbfo0SWZgevPDMhhd05kr6A/s1600/P1230034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtj3F7MjiNVvH9lae_TOq4mROnLaCmp4mQp5HCBxWv0HJvfD0E0T0L2TNwtSmwaPsmrlCzwq6Y_qZxri-ZUiNkuhkFecsV1jzVt4HQWgI7z5mpRbfo0SWZgevPDMhhd05kr6A/s320/P1230034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You continue to love anything with wheels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tractors, construction equipment, cars,
trucks, bicycles, scooters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love to
make fun tracks for your cars or to just zoom them up and down the kitchen
floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m hoping you grow out of your
love of “crashing things” before you start driving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Legos are another love of yours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mostly I think that is because that is what
your sisters love to play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You do make
awesome creations (houses, vehicles, sheds) out of any kind of blocks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRqUtsvrVNC1638OrVciegx5Vs0hCbEoSRRXBnxzmAdxpRgUw2GdHN-CnVv9t0Yq22qXh_joKVfGOvbkE5gwq4rXN_jN5QozHiG2erKny2A0rLzxTkm21Xyh300LExqjEsg6h/s1600/P1230815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRqUtsvrVNC1638OrVciegx5Vs0hCbEoSRRXBnxzmAdxpRgUw2GdHN-CnVv9t0Yq22qXh_joKVfGOvbkE5gwq4rXN_jN5QozHiG2erKny2A0rLzxTkm21Xyh300LExqjEsg6h/s320/P1230815.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgWzGkvmOreZs8vA3OTq5wzzPDGLBJat38718NE6DLuXq7hAm9T_NWXQJK22lMn3YUUunVk__YVtYJXNrZ-YwTw4W6dL9Nvu5xOb_OhNTUYCpO4JlUq4uybxQ9Z8V4d8iv9qU/s1600/P1230135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgWzGkvmOreZs8vA3OTq5wzzPDGLBJat38718NE6DLuXq7hAm9T_NWXQJK22lMn3YUUunVk__YVtYJXNrZ-YwTw4W6dL9Nvu5xOb_OhNTUYCpO4JlUq4uybxQ9Z8V4d8iv9qU/s320/P1230135.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
One of your most favorite activities is to sit down and
draw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost every night when Reagan and
Maddie are busy with homework, you are sitting at the coffee table drawing up a
storm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a long time, all you would
draw was tractors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But lately you draw
all kinds of awesome things – pickup trucks hauling Christmas trees, every
animal we can think of, ice cream stands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What amazes me is not that you love to draw but how good you are at
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You just have a knack for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My favorite thing is that almost all of your
drawings are given away – gifts for special people in your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnoR8iDY_AjJwI1P1_-9temddbD3fO2T7wAD1py5t4Q1UsDvN8rixA-I9gR2Q69NnfZLHVqyC2SGSXuL7HPpsZpD71j-gTgi2XfWpf__6qBLjUwVghkdp1XATFIzB8XI92PlBq/s1600/P1230389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnoR8iDY_AjJwI1P1_-9temddbD3fO2T7wAD1py5t4Q1UsDvN8rixA-I9gR2Q69NnfZLHVqyC2SGSXuL7HPpsZpD71j-gTgi2XfWpf__6qBLjUwVghkdp1XATFIzB8XI92PlBq/s320/P1230389.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kindergarten was your new thing this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the most part you love going and enjoy
your days at school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there are times
when you struggle with a little bit of worry and are less excited about
going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love seeing you at lunch
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the way you smile at me and
wave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love watching you talk and be
silly with your friends in the cafeteria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You are doing so well with your reading and learning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am proud of you for how hard you work to
learn, but I am even more proud of the way you are trying to overcome those
worries that plague you from time to time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM596mKsIfo_mbRcs5L6jStfgT67EABNg8mqpxvchafWHuLAx3sim_2EbVBWqp13CyB2EMbiaDSRR3Hj2OfPztQfNiKkQ0X6AtgzipSm4qkbwecSld3mHCAezIttDljsBUVCpO/s1600/P1230751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM596mKsIfo_mbRcs5L6jStfgT67EABNg8mqpxvchafWHuLAx3sim_2EbVBWqp13CyB2EMbiaDSRR3Hj2OfPztQfNiKkQ0X6AtgzipSm4qkbwecSld3mHCAezIttDljsBUVCpO/s320/P1230751.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
You love soccer and basketball and baseball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love to go swimming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love to be at the farm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You hate haircuts but you like “cool hair”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love cheeseburgers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love the color red.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You hate to be in front of large crowds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are totally grossed out if someone burps
in your presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You manage to get
dirtier in one day of school than your sisters did their entire kindergarten
year. You sit in my lap while we read
devotions after supper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are unique
and fun and special.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMARZNLTfDnTnC_eDoCy8FS_ChSbTyKNp3vomaa1b5Idg7CESQ_XhCWV11iy2SmFqKJGVn1YmCoPJjgja1Au9DSLCihJ0w03B9NC_3wbe7XJWhhpf10z_Oi4mwkZACHUK-GTVA/s1600/P1230655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMARZNLTfDnTnC_eDoCy8FS_ChSbTyKNp3vomaa1b5Idg7CESQ_XhCWV11iy2SmFqKJGVn1YmCoPJjgja1Au9DSLCihJ0w03B9NC_3wbe7XJWhhpf10z_Oi4mwkZACHUK-GTVA/s320/P1230655.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Precious little can compare to the love you have for your
big sisters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love to be with them
and are determined to keep up with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whatever they are doing, you are right there in the mix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You categorically refuse to sit with anyone
but Reagan or Maddie on the bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
hold their hand as they walk you to your classroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You snuggle with them on the couch on movie
nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They read to you, crawl around
on their knees to play cars with you, and they would do just about anything
they could to help you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know you are
too young to realize the depth of love they show to you each day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not always perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trust me, the three of you fight like
siblings on occasion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it is a joy to
my heart the way you love each other so well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDW9A8dLldLMobgKvXoZKUedaEVWCqPEqNvmC_rrQawlTZV3FYNNy4iNJub0ZY1MwldkbazGOju5u7FuK07X9MEelgS46nZWXrGppH1uNrffo8pwGbhkp3v_jdrI1SLsX0BF3F/s1600/DeVries2018-DeVries2018-0036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1261" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDW9A8dLldLMobgKvXoZKUedaEVWCqPEqNvmC_rrQawlTZV3FYNNy4iNJub0ZY1MwldkbazGOju5u7FuK07X9MEelgS46nZWXrGppH1uNrffo8pwGbhkp3v_jdrI1SLsX0BF3F/s320/DeVries2018-DeVries2018-0036.jpg" width="252" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gHcJANp8zJD23bwcwypBWlYUehr4j8OXEyWX4LX7spn_hRh1qJzFuDNsNtCOY023_rYxiV0pKMPybw9suSbdA0AljF_n4tHrWyT8Kl8C5J_SYLbJ8RRA9kT5rJBiUjfm4lLw/s1600/P1230861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1073" data-original-width="1600" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gHcJANp8zJD23bwcwypBWlYUehr4j8OXEyWX4LX7spn_hRh1qJzFuDNsNtCOY023_rYxiV0pKMPybw9suSbdA0AljF_n4tHrWyT8Kl8C5J_SYLbJ8RRA9kT5rJBiUjfm4lLw/s320/P1230861.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwmcI1oonPjPvPktE71ZFWNqn4ZGR-CSbfra3XA5xOOUm9JzvChgWroAPBSjmfWKjC6BHF2frYUMotyNEQq2OYYx6cfJ1bIQkxYBu8zB-3ypzXlQE7y3_c5pCiOenn_u8_j7P/s1600/P1230713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwmcI1oonPjPvPktE71ZFWNqn4ZGR-CSbfra3XA5xOOUm9JzvChgWroAPBSjmfWKjC6BHF2frYUMotyNEQq2OYYx6cfJ1bIQkxYBu8zB-3ypzXlQE7y3_c5pCiOenn_u8_j7P/s320/P1230713.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are growing and becoming stronger every day, but you are
still very tender hearted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Words matter
so much to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You hate to be teased or
talked down to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If someone is angry at
you that affects you deeply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then
sometimes you surprise me with your ability to shrug something off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pray that you will also value just as
highly the words that you speak to others.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9I9S_UqOTGyaDGh_EyUznpFqhi3d8sg3ThAdmAtrNNXasdHFWHziYMqkhpXaJKUD83ygeU3TQoWb9MmErROudO0cDDE6icVev6lp11C5wYCyxxQIY9KGbd6Skz3xiioUENgUE/s1600/P1230384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9I9S_UqOTGyaDGh_EyUznpFqhi3d8sg3ThAdmAtrNNXasdHFWHziYMqkhpXaJKUD83ygeU3TQoWb9MmErROudO0cDDE6icVev6lp11C5wYCyxxQIY9KGbd6Skz3xiioUENgUE/s320/P1230384.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are growing and changing so much these days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I blinked and all of a sudden you could
read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are no more booster seats or
plastic plates at my table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You outgrew
a bicycle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We bought a desk for your
room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have burned through so many
pairs of shoes that I’m almost in disbelief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes I feel like I am just praying you from one big thing to the
next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when I look back I can’t even
remember what all my “worries” were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each
stage has been fun with you – some with big challenges but all of them held so
much good.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyBjyBfkIqhAF5Icb14xrMVwcGrt1cs4FdqTYAGrmMmD4pTvpOZuJ0QW8y-mxx3rCqjnmShmLlV42befw1zDYD6BJdqbi09kj21govOUSOVpPIVi34114qkc1u4gRr19jRZ87/s1600/P1230829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyBjyBfkIqhAF5Icb14xrMVwcGrt1cs4FdqTYAGrmMmD4pTvpOZuJ0QW8y-mxx3rCqjnmShmLlV42befw1zDYD6BJdqbi09kj21govOUSOVpPIVi34114qkc1u4gRr19jRZ87/s320/P1230829.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You going to school has been a big step for both of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will admit I blinked back tears on your
first day of kindergarten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We both put
on our brave faces and it wasn’t until I saw your tiny hand waving back at me
through the window that I got choked up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Every day with you a gift to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kHvdAzQzFawJ78KWXTOWDV2wvB_Mf18XMFF9fhwU7N6LuWNg04oASOpwQLEYcc_HCBO1Jllby-DE2166PvK7jixk5SMJeiNB1sJt0WRGBvO5V02RoADmkufERTHa2LDBJxLH/s1600/P1230840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kHvdAzQzFawJ78KWXTOWDV2wvB_Mf18XMFF9fhwU7N6LuWNg04oASOpwQLEYcc_HCBO1Jllby-DE2166PvK7jixk5SMJeiNB1sJt0WRGBvO5V02RoADmkufERTHa2LDBJxLH/s320/P1230840.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know these days where you sit in my lap, hold my hand and
want to snuggle with me are probably numbered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m tempted to be sad about that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But since I have enjoyed every single stage of life with you, I guess I
am more tempted to be excited about the future with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When all of your six years have been so good,
I’m looking forward to another 6 (and many more).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcKN1MMIS8ihJ8RD0pyjQnZm0CYB4Dh7J8h7vX-K5rcuL5lIdVRBoLZkp7yaqWHOerv6FhWOmYX3aulCqOF-pJ2Iq9N4hpaAUwZPkZ3VXOhSKCI8Vm6uRc5NjgibYTIxSac8s/s1600/zoo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcKN1MMIS8ihJ8RD0pyjQnZm0CYB4Dh7J8h7vX-K5rcuL5lIdVRBoLZkp7yaqWHOerv6FhWOmYX3aulCqOF-pJ2Iq9N4hpaAUwZPkZ3VXOhSKCI8Vm6uRc5NjgibYTIxSac8s/s320/zoo2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBbnGEgKf71etykcsf4Bo5hvut9E6tgq7dQ-SscQu6vJqj3-LXKVHABN0QBSb9Wxk0TRwtCCKauc-UDc9iBgJoBb9pRdtm3p4k-x7N3jsqTpZaxyn7UOuJVKayi7Br13j1cHD/s1600/kdwedding13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="912" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBbnGEgKf71etykcsf4Bo5hvut9E6tgq7dQ-SscQu6vJqj3-LXKVHABN0QBSb9Wxk0TRwtCCKauc-UDc9iBgJoBb9pRdtm3p4k-x7N3jsqTpZaxyn7UOuJVKayi7Br13j1cHD/s320/kdwedding13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One last thing, my favorite thing that you do is how you
pray each night after our devotions at supper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Your prayer is always the same and even now I wonder if you will pray
similarly when you grow up to be the Daddy at the supper table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And every time you thank Jesus for dying on
the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh Hunter…yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, He died for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It isn’t hard for me to imagine that He loves
you so and I am so hopeful that you will never ever once forget that prayer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey Hot Rod, I love you so very much too.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcKRkS39Tkgv45JDU4Gc5bvUDzQMLlpe0Rn8NsPUEtUzrbfpAR-OYszpi_rAqQ5QRbvRy7XNtpxhSxkKXrCW9RDc2zUJs5W2NfUQVWEKPOdtTQfZCPqdKxrNEK3Wk9vI14QEn/s1600/DeVries2018-0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1077" data-original-width="1600" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcKRkS39Tkgv45JDU4Gc5bvUDzQMLlpe0Rn8NsPUEtUzrbfpAR-OYszpi_rAqQ5QRbvRy7XNtpxhSxkKXrCW9RDc2zUJs5W2NfUQVWEKPOdtTQfZCPqdKxrNEK3Wk9vI14QEn/s320/DeVries2018-0019.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Happy Birthday!<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mom<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Miz Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334494599805008376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219573.post-18828060166131632642018-11-22T07:30:00.000-06:002018-11-22T07:30:00.375-06:00Happy 12th Birthday, Reagan!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dear Reagan,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Twelve years old already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You are growing up so fast and so beautifully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s amazing and inspiring to see you become
more and more “you” every single day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here’s what life is like right now.<o:p></o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7PKb2PMrtJBv5TVTN8RL0vFMO4V1O8UifGyyE0Sgp2gQFC8mHARFqtlz1D19LDq3qWlW0PRUVDBcktN2UcAYlo8N2ZzOOFVC_kO7tFCyH6c88q83LP9I7m6DG3lAZD7MT28SN/s1600/DeVries2018-0024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1283" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7PKb2PMrtJBv5TVTN8RL0vFMO4V1O8UifGyyE0Sgp2gQFC8mHARFqtlz1D19LDq3qWlW0PRUVDBcktN2UcAYlo8N2ZzOOFVC_kO7tFCyH6c88q83LP9I7m6DG3lAZD7MT28SN/s320/DeVries2018-0024.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are still, and will likely always be, my responsible
one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We let you babysit your siblings
for an hour or two here or there and you do great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rules are a big deal for you and you try your
best to follow them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I anticipated this
first year of middle school to be a tough one, but you have adjusted so easily
that it’s a bit unnerving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t
need to be tell you to do your homework or to study for a test.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know what you need to do and you just do
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a wonderful quality in
you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You seem to be a little better at
finding balance, too. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t seem to
pressure yourself too much the way you used to and I am so proud of you for
learning how to steady yourself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFpfZROCWRheM_ZINAXkWX75PdPIoCW-jmjEp6KEHcr1EhT0oeISbpyrDq39sxlX1Faxxy_4XY1a3LNt7zmPs1iT5p_EM3w-E7AAagnA00f8A9Cu1M7GGo6tuHCFSex20tH7m/s1600/kdwedding4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="405" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFpfZROCWRheM_ZINAXkWX75PdPIoCW-jmjEp6KEHcr1EhT0oeISbpyrDq39sxlX1Faxxy_4XY1a3LNt7zmPs1iT5p_EM3w-E7AAagnA00f8A9Cu1M7GGo6tuHCFSex20tH7m/s320/kdwedding4.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are a wise young woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Frequently you see how words could or do make someone feel and you
adjust accordingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve had great
discussions about things that have happened at school or elsewhere and I love
to see that you are processing all of these things with a kind, but
truth-seeking heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I trust your
decision-making and applaud the way you think things through.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbojOh8PWh05sooXacfftgkE6QbHwooP0nH2cgHxUoqgW-g4w0ojes-brbLt9WrL_Q3wJSOaQQIMKJITx_dR8Dl235Y0Kd2owWGftI3GRUYLP0-Rrocvh_J3MLm6-SmWhkDOhe/s1600/P1230398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbojOh8PWh05sooXacfftgkE6QbHwooP0nH2cgHxUoqgW-g4w0ojes-brbLt9WrL_Q3wJSOaQQIMKJITx_dR8Dl235Y0Kd2owWGftI3GRUYLP0-Rrocvh_J3MLm6-SmWhkDOhe/s320/P1230398.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Gg1dYHbKMhYFNRhjTqoEVdTPnf4tfsA6niDxN2R_YIITgxRH9JxhsEr0ZsE3RzI11-_Hg9oeBIjP4W5P8SKfOcYJOcEDdi_4oBEPK5cJgRWWRZupwwXD7AtyMXAbMrugiZZh/s1600/P1230822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1062" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Gg1dYHbKMhYFNRhjTqoEVdTPnf4tfsA6niDxN2R_YIITgxRH9JxhsEr0ZsE3RzI11-_Hg9oeBIjP4W5P8SKfOcYJOcEDdi_4oBEPK5cJgRWWRZupwwXD7AtyMXAbMrugiZZh/s320/P1230822.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are still a great big sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know it’s not easy to be the oldest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re making all of our mistakes on you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ha!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just kidding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But seriously, you
are blazing a trail and I am so glad for the steps you are taking and the path
that your siblings can watch and learn from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You aren’t perfect, but you are a good kid and I am glad for the example
you set.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love to read to
Hunter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You play cars or trucks or farm
with him all the time and he loves you for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You and Maddie are super close and super different, but you are still
good to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love that you play
together still.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hearing the two of you
giggle when you have sleepovers (every night) is a sweet joy of mine even if it
does drive your Dad crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguInrWxo6nP-gzYPkX74Oxat2sbh0tzYj83gM_5bHK48SKaq7jdlsPEmV4xm7gG5eMicJqk92yGw9wpq1mcRhFbLd08yaW479Q1BwCy1eRuf9meBDvHXJpCTHTBPHH7kYuPeRi/s1600/DeVries2018-0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1382" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguInrWxo6nP-gzYPkX74Oxat2sbh0tzYj83gM_5bHK48SKaq7jdlsPEmV4xm7gG5eMicJqk92yGw9wpq1mcRhFbLd08yaW479Q1BwCy1eRuf9meBDvHXJpCTHTBPHH7kYuPeRi/s320/DeVries2018-0010.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7RmQEMTTVCy0LkQBrnVBv0V51NCviY00gKveVbW-94REKJjwDYbwVKiyIR5Iv7d_sFuBKZTk2M4Orn9DhoFO4GQrHFXo0t2ol129IoBnurl9UpSfG4WML60DozQe3bnGavgiV/s1600/DeVries2018-0036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1283" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7RmQEMTTVCy0LkQBrnVBv0V51NCviY00gKveVbW-94REKJjwDYbwVKiyIR5Iv7d_sFuBKZTk2M4Orn9DhoFO4GQrHFXo0t2ol129IoBnurl9UpSfG4WML60DozQe3bnGavgiV/s320/DeVries2018-0036.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq02x5XJAzgjOGe-zYA0KNoId8rP9rrzB0_QvrR-B3iNeH2k8JvYbphsyOaq1j4gp0JLZ5KaDb9rxZD9ZgGvL3kuhrj78RcRlzwkeaMhdxSAuDAQnGB8M_Vjh3LlqB0V9ZdxuY/s1600/P1230384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq02x5XJAzgjOGe-zYA0KNoId8rP9rrzB0_QvrR-B3iNeH2k8JvYbphsyOaq1j4gp0JLZ5KaDb9rxZD9ZgGvL3kuhrj78RcRlzwkeaMhdxSAuDAQnGB8M_Vjh3LlqB0V9ZdxuY/s320/P1230384.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You have this natural ability with music that still stuns
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have sung with me on praise team
several times and never seemed intimidated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You can play just about anything you want to on the piano, it
seems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Same goes for trumpet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not at all uncommon for me to be
getting ready in my bathroom and hear you playing a song from The Greatest
Showman on the piano or trumpet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
have this wonderful ear for music and can pick out a tune so quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You also have an amazing high soprano voice –
higher than mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You just get
music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a language you speak easily
and fluently and I am so proud of the way you so faithfully build that talent.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLdFX4tGSesk78bidLcpGeGl9s23FNnOi8FYJuHsxCFvl5oNsL4sJqfauA2-jKlGACfY7_CWYuJy8PgAxzpBRc05ZEHzPcD0rjQ4A2uIk-3XMwdq7ejnsdc3ps4fw6-qKdWNl-/s1600/P1230636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLdFX4tGSesk78bidLcpGeGl9s23FNnOi8FYJuHsxCFvl5oNsL4sJqfauA2-jKlGACfY7_CWYuJy8PgAxzpBRc05ZEHzPcD0rjQ4A2uIk-3XMwdq7ejnsdc3ps4fw6-qKdWNl-/s320/P1230636.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wsBKE9UefgJZZmn5DvMxe1bvYHf9GT0Qybr45QFuRca9x_Grd1pyz9zJ8vfifw8eA9Z5LOuj3WQm0CCQac5jh2lQwZRwxHwZ1ipfjGi2fUv50MfIUUK7s31EVwYQ-1T1FA_w/s1600/P1230641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wsBKE9UefgJZZmn5DvMxe1bvYHf9GT0Qybr45QFuRca9x_Grd1pyz9zJ8vfifw8eA9Z5LOuj3WQm0CCQac5jh2lQwZRwxHwZ1ipfjGi2fUv50MfIUUK7s31EVwYQ-1T1FA_w/s320/P1230641.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are not the boy-crazy type of girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You think that it is embarrassing and
hilarious if a boy “likes” you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
shake your head in bewilderment at kids in your class who are boyfriend and
girlfriend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of that is a bit beyond
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet, you love reading
age-appropriate romances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are caught
in this strange in-between stage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes
you play and sometimes you tire of toys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes you want to wear the comfy easy clothes and sometimes you want
to dress up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter what way you are
leaning on a given day, it isn’t a battle with you and I am thankful for that. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2lRrnCs1Twie3pob1ZOgonszHtIMZf2hnm8VsRoL-orfx2IJVVi-bs17cUaW568z3sKF5TrTlGfcRS_Ch066IO2P1kw0zQQn54hjs9x9XqZp4lDH56NSSvS5S6UuYN0DdXzN/s1600/P1230668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2lRrnCs1Twie3pob1ZOgonszHtIMZf2hnm8VsRoL-orfx2IJVVi-bs17cUaW568z3sKF5TrTlGfcRS_Ch066IO2P1kw0zQQn54hjs9x9XqZp4lDH56NSSvS5S6UuYN0DdXzN/s320/P1230668.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJeM8nPwgIFvo-3My2H8hVmOk_pvFCIyE41Jutn-EjRA6mUtvyozbQ6VtqIXajjFs5oz1V6bHXbHhQue0y4oKGuQqDjgNz5pnyT0C5cQvu7Mmo61wadd9BnsIbUBEqREK56SA/s1600/P1230680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJeM8nPwgIFvo-3My2H8hVmOk_pvFCIyE41Jutn-EjRA6mUtvyozbQ6VtqIXajjFs5oz1V6bHXbHhQue0y4oKGuQqDjgNz5pnyT0C5cQvu7Mmo61wadd9BnsIbUBEqREK56SA/s320/P1230680.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of my favorite qualities about you is your
contentment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You never seem to really be
wanting things or clothes or experiences or stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are happy to just be comfortable with
what you have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I rarely hear you
complain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you can keep that in
your heart for your whole life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3dGTsBQ4TS6jzALafuxPmclCuegk9_2OiFScR5qFSAojAuobVmSDQaOQ7LruNcEKPeevXiuVDrf9pOrALt8iFS79eRUVzPDvW6uBjqs9j28YaFIMETL9yeAydqVmDUUPaLc_/s1600/P1230711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3dGTsBQ4TS6jzALafuxPmclCuegk9_2OiFScR5qFSAojAuobVmSDQaOQ7LruNcEKPeevXiuVDrf9pOrALt8iFS79eRUVzPDvW6uBjqs9j28YaFIMETL9yeAydqVmDUUPaLc_/s320/P1230711.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvaUUkJw4baymQt8nxr1wJv7FZN57gezFCXORwBECw4KCFOclkSlj4NYoMhQRCH6H_GMey-TR50tdDhBod-wKERUOYFE1bHwMYIN7sBSpwVkqI-IKgjUtbuKN6EA2SFhuNCRo/s1600/P1230852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1070" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvaUUkJw4baymQt8nxr1wJv7FZN57gezFCXORwBECw4KCFOclkSlj4NYoMhQRCH6H_GMey-TR50tdDhBod-wKERUOYFE1bHwMYIN7sBSpwVkqI-IKgjUtbuKN6EA2SFhuNCRo/s320/P1230852.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m loving these preteen years and I didn’t really expect
to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought we would have more
disagreements and conflict.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some people
tell me that is coming and maybe it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I don’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that isn’t
really your personality either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We get
along really well, you and I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are
super logical and it is easy to reason with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You feel things deeply and more often than
not I have to watch my words that I don’t unintentionally wound you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are very level-headed and not a
roller coaster of emotion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You surprise
me with the way you take risks I never thought you would take, the bravery you
show when I would think you would be too shy, and your willingness to try new
things that would scare me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpC6vN64LdACkdLYGXhY9s1cZLtgQQ8K-fckrxlORMh0ldxhLR58iw364X4fBpktJltS_CghhcdzHyVn1P4fmiyHGAVTvOqLSn2sIvWS0Rd-Yu_pSFC51YOUl-TeBN9NDnAqZ/s1600/P1230728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpC6vN64LdACkdLYGXhY9s1cZLtgQQ8K-fckrxlORMh0ldxhLR58iw364X4fBpktJltS_CghhcdzHyVn1P4fmiyHGAVTvOqLSn2sIvWS0Rd-Yu_pSFC51YOUl-TeBN9NDnAqZ/s320/P1230728.JPG" width="213" /></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mEhNtD9Ja8U548R0Jh14ZAVYdwK_VmC99KaeiEsXteN7EaEOc45ok0eawAWNMZY1anYjGroWhYprBy_UtR2LEc2N_DYf0A2Y66LRVni6amIuhp5oC2uQ6giYzlMvxOqyg8GZ/s1600/P1230744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mEhNtD9Ja8U548R0Jh14ZAVYdwK_VmC99KaeiEsXteN7EaEOc45ok0eawAWNMZY1anYjGroWhYprBy_UtR2LEc2N_DYf0A2Y66LRVni6amIuhp5oC2uQ6giYzlMvxOqyg8GZ/s320/P1230744.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I see so much in you that can only come from one place –
Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has given you so many
wonderful qualities of His own – qualities that I struggle to exhibit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know He is teaching you and shaping you and
guiding you in His own perfect way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watch
the promises He made in your baptism come true each and every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe, the world won’t always notice or applaud
the quiet, reasonable, wise girl that you are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What you have isn’t the kind of showmanship that normally gets a lot of
attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Reagan girl, I see
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see the bright beautiful person
that God has designed you to be shining through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There may be times when you doubt that down
the road, but I want you to know I am always looking for the best and brightest
parts of you and they are never hard for me to find.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are so very loved by Him and by all of
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am indescribably proud to be your
Mom and so grateful that I get to celebrate YOU on this Thanksgiving day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUafihog9OWmQ2ea0BoSaOovrBWZuBMek3YhBacnReLRFIqb01ro3GnR-0CiFY15kK9VV0tNqWyT4Nlt_hu4Mchl3rp1s7P6egaQFMSH7V5ldda4bXQGinhdwclgKKA0lHU86/s1600/DeVries2018-DeVries2018-0044+%25281%2529+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1363" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUafihog9OWmQ2ea0BoSaOovrBWZuBMek3YhBacnReLRFIqb01ro3GnR-0CiFY15kK9VV0tNqWyT4Nlt_hu4Mchl3rp1s7P6egaQFMSH7V5ldda4bXQGinhdwclgKKA0lHU86/s320/DeVries2018-DeVries2018-0044+%25281%2529+-+Copy.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Happy Birthday Reagan.
I love you so.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvbR6KzK0nUMnTiND5omw7eeD87H3i47wdqCOUH724RcLKJa8DoiVY0z6Vy8ujopEsmJjjrwRVji5xjX_fOMPot_q-WM6a0n3DawMcR7A83x3zwG0BctuN4rFeILTqrOCUatx/s1600/P1230860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvbR6KzK0nUMnTiND5omw7eeD87H3i47wdqCOUH724RcLKJa8DoiVY0z6Vy8ujopEsmJjjrwRVji5xjX_fOMPot_q-WM6a0n3DawMcR7A83x3zwG0BctuN4rFeILTqrOCUatx/s320/P1230860.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mom<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Miz Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334494599805008376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219573.post-42285805391591488522018-10-17T15:58:00.001-05:002018-10-17T15:58:38.247-05:00Finding a Place<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hunter is in kindergarten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I saw this coming pretty clearly as he zippity-do-dahed his way through
preschool last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew he would be
attending school three full days a week to start, eventually adding a day and
then another day till he would be full time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brian occasionally asked me, “So…just curious…what are you
going to do with all your time when he’s at school.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would mumble something about writing a book
or doing what I normally did every day – both which would be just fine things
to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But even I knew that staying home
all day with no kids would probably start to drive me crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whenever I considered getting a job, there was one hurdle I
couldn’t clear: what about the summers?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The question haunted me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I
could go get a job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That did not seem
like something that would be problematic for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But most jobs would mean working during Christmas
break, spring break, and summer break.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
that was not okay with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since the day I began staying home when Maddie was born, I
became one super committed stay-at-home momma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My world revolves around these kiddos of mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could not in good conscience take a job
that would cause me to miss time with them. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This left me only one really good option – work at
school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not a teacher so that’s out
of the question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when a possible
position in the food service became available I had to stop and think about
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t sure if it would be the
right fit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t sure I would like
being a cook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t sure if I would
find the work fulfilling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just wasn’t
sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I did know it was something I
could do and something that would give me just the amount of hours I was hoping
for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I applied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I interviewed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got the job offer for two days each week
with a third day every other week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I accepted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I went all summer feeling uncertain but hopeful.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s the thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have a college degree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have many years
of experience in the legal field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
really really good in an office environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can organize, type, file, compose, troubleshoot, and meet with clients
like nobody’s business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really enjoyed
my 9 years working in law firms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cooking…well…yeah,
its okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s another thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Growing up, I was a total nightmare for my poor school cook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ate almost none of the main dishes she
made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She made me a bread and butter
sandwich each day because I would not eat a peanut butter sandwich.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was that picky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I felt bad about constantly turning her down but I just could not make
myself eat much of a variety of foods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So karma might be an issue.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Friends, I have worked in the kitchen at Pella Christian
Grade School for 6 weeks now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cook the
food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I prep the fruit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I clean the counters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mop the floors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I serve the kids as they come through the
lunch line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I smile at them and tell them
to have a great day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I joke with a few
of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I help wash a few dishes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I put clean items away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I love – absolutely LOVE – every minute
of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m guessing a large part of this is because I <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">love</i></b>
the people I am working with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are
gems – every one of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I absolutely
delight in spending time with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
are a joy and an encouragement to me each and every day that I work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We laugh, we talk, but we also work
hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another large part of this is because I see my kids several times
a day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see each of them at lunch –
whether or not they eat the hot lunch or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have time to go find them and give them a squeeze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My middle schooler stops by the kitchen to
say hi, give me a hug and tell me about her day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They know right where to find me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I find it amazing how God points us in certain directions
and we sometimes stand there and say, “Uh, are you sure about this?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s awesome how He knows just what we
need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Each day, when those first few kids come through the door
with their trays, I feel a sense of joy sweep over me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s like He is saying, “See!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You didn’t know how much you would love this
but I did!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew this was going to be
perfect for you!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m pretty sure I am enjoying this job more than I have ever
enjoyed any other job I have ever had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And I’m deeply grateful that I get to do what I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To me, it’s so much more than opening cans of
mandarin oranges or putting chicken patties in the oven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s about being a small piece of a community
that works so tirelessly to bless and care for 400+ children each and every
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there is nowhere else I would
rather be.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Miz Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334494599805008376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219573.post-7454743827355007082018-05-13T09:00:00.000-05:002018-05-13T09:00:02.469-05:00Happy 9th Birthday Maddie!<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span id="goog_1556175590"></span><span id="goog_1556175591"></span>Dear Maddie,<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
You are nine years old today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This seems strange to say since for the last
long while I have been saying that you are almost nine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are such a grown up girl in so many ways
that sometimes we think of you as older than you really are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But officially today you are nine and we are
thrilled to celebrate all nine years of you.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p><br />
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You are my voracious reader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year found you hauling massive volumes
of Harry Potter to and from school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never
have to make you read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re so
imaginative and I frequently find you lost in a story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you always love reading as much as you
do now.<o:p></o:p><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilj6rn2yRFAC5AmZxgMAO8HsYgQS9_5gswHxEVqOpH6YziLlycX9g76g3cbmJ7d7nZnHRWko0O0bvX3IYSFwLH8GUhUefVMbCG3rIzLogPX0ntlCk5kJWM-3bqMMgy1a5m_CFF/s1600/P1210656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilj6rn2yRFAC5AmZxgMAO8HsYgQS9_5gswHxEVqOpH6YziLlycX9g76g3cbmJ7d7nZnHRWko0O0bvX3IYSFwLH8GUhUefVMbCG3rIzLogPX0ntlCk5kJWM-3bqMMgy1a5m_CFF/s320/P1210656.JPG" width="213" /></a><br />
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You are still my little artist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can knit, paint, sculpt, design, color
and draw just about anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your
drawings of cupcake cartoons are fantastically funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I frequently find you sitting quietly at your
desk in your room just creating away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You never ask for ideas or look to see what others have done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You just do your own thing and its always a
little bit magical.<o:p></o:p><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NRDmeTLa53-NCU0X0Y64czdRCoBiBaC1xTmVKG8GF3geBzxN2FDr87aiqPGaF4x3vBYdzDHOVc_wou40P2W-pts1PX62onRyCsi8zRW5sCfr5HNxj81a1KYsXnfTyUu5vZ1N/s1600/P1210822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NRDmeTLa53-NCU0X0Y64czdRCoBiBaC1xTmVKG8GF3geBzxN2FDr87aiqPGaF4x3vBYdzDHOVc_wou40P2W-pts1PX62onRyCsi8zRW5sCfr5HNxj81a1KYsXnfTyUu5vZ1N/s320/P1210822.JPG" width="213" /></a><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />
Movie nights, Harry Potter, pandas, Calico Critters,
Legos, interior design, crafts, baking, game nights, and being with your family
are just some of your favorite things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even your favorite things are sweet and fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are just a fun kid to be around.<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMNSC3d-1I72tqY5_JXwuiod7OSCYum2YySPR0S-DHgmT8DFkxunLs8a5xRHm2DCZVwRBvlCqIku4bKuVh3MxHdIliOv_6HYBbbj59Z41RuVjB75Dw1Ttzn9xleUY1wNmuMut/s1600/P1210622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMNSC3d-1I72tqY5_JXwuiod7OSCYum2YySPR0S-DHgmT8DFkxunLs8a5xRHm2DCZVwRBvlCqIku4bKuVh3MxHdIliOv_6HYBbbj59Z41RuVjB75Dw1Ttzn9xleUY1wNmuMut/s320/P1210622.JPG" width="213" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEpFCRaIwnSB3BMidKiYR1KPgB1s6Tq6GH1iranQYNq4jwLLGTmYWKnjZE19kXofyTDjZhb7qsQbhaQeJ6fxuiqNkARpOLxhZgrtZs_slu734qxoI7CuwvDgwBknqFF6_Lu1nA/s1600/P1230082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEpFCRaIwnSB3BMidKiYR1KPgB1s6Tq6GH1iranQYNq4jwLLGTmYWKnjZE19kXofyTDjZhb7qsQbhaQeJ6fxuiqNkARpOLxhZgrtZs_slu734qxoI7CuwvDgwBknqFF6_Lu1nA/s320/P1230082.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
You have such a tender heart, Maddie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So often you have this fairly tough
exterior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone might tease you and
for a while you can take it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there
are days when it just sinks in and you come to me with a slightly bruised
heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of our conversations are
about relationships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I struggle to teach
you how to be kind and compassionate without being a doormat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’m so proud that you just keep trying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You never give up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you really truly want to be friends with
everyone.<o:p></o:p><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGx8Qd_uOzNqeqEfnBEoOAotHwk1i2T914ktHaPeNKxlYRv-BZFyO-QLeGUp18sVjyT5E_26rSE-XKxOS6CgBICeZnksxVWBJ4EI6n28uWfwEFvwU26RfqOURY_6TQr32GjV1m/s1600/P1210809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGx8Qd_uOzNqeqEfnBEoOAotHwk1i2T914ktHaPeNKxlYRv-BZFyO-QLeGUp18sVjyT5E_26rSE-XKxOS6CgBICeZnksxVWBJ4EI6n28uWfwEFvwU26RfqOURY_6TQr32GjV1m/s320/P1210809.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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You absolutely adore little children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You beg to be on duty in the nursery as often
as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You delight in watching
over your littlest cousins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are so
attentive and the joy on your face as you play with them and entertain them is
so sweet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKi7mU6nQiPpf3NBJUyfx2dZhUvpVaGQdAB98W-FNH2N6Vrbhr1KjKEFaSJDxxW4hUlIt7fP27_NpgjYEWp-XHQ6yLxq_3N9iyN0HDMVhNCI4JHgUdljh3_90-3MUDB94nBob/s1600/P1210675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKi7mU6nQiPpf3NBJUyfx2dZhUvpVaGQdAB98W-FNH2N6Vrbhr1KjKEFaSJDxxW4hUlIt7fP27_NpgjYEWp-XHQ6yLxq_3N9iyN0HDMVhNCI4JHgUdljh3_90-3MUDB94nBob/s320/P1210675.JPG" width="213" /></a></span></div>
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I remind you frequently that you have a best friend for
life in your sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two of you have
sleepovers in each other’s rooms pretty much every night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are closer than I probably even
realize.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hear you giggling late into
the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the bond you have with
Reagan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And even though the two of you
don’t always get along perfectly, for the most part you are an amazing team.<o:p></o:p><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARDwP_i0hWMSHCfxiLgmvOivahyphenhyphenRGnUNz4KoZpRrRZ4LKtIFamoP0uHmOq3zKnX_BpdAcmu05kZ_IUCwDCVYzENTjBb02Z9O9PYQaPtwJs5IjOWq-nBYthpVbsJ73aLi9ea56/s1600/P1220046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARDwP_i0hWMSHCfxiLgmvOivahyphenhyphenRGnUNz4KoZpRrRZ4LKtIFamoP0uHmOq3zKnX_BpdAcmu05kZ_IUCwDCVYzENTjBb02Z9O9PYQaPtwJs5IjOWq-nBYthpVbsJ73aLi9ea56/s320/P1220046.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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Not to be forgotten is your love for your little
brother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loves you so much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You always agree to take him to the
park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If anyone will crawl around on the
floor and play tractors with him it will be you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You make him laugh and play with him and
watch over him all at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
love that you always offer to read a book to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will have the best memories of the time
you spent with him.<o:p></o:p><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTsaJsSz6MjcA5gYHCOI8LvJ4hgHD_7TjmOc1YbjKxYLcKzKgTc697ZBGUSDIUnYiVtEpff_NKJiZ3-5dFQdZ9zVdyvO-O_b_BqWDC-PVpi1ntJINH5G0TpBca3cySEYtqhZS/s1600/P1210940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTsaJsSz6MjcA5gYHCOI8LvJ4hgHD_7TjmOc1YbjKxYLcKzKgTc697ZBGUSDIUnYiVtEpff_NKJiZ3-5dFQdZ9zVdyvO-O_b_BqWDC-PVpi1ntJINH5G0TpBca3cySEYtqhZS/s320/P1210940.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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At the beginning of this year, I took my first overnight
trip away from you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was good for both
of us and it was also hard for both of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have quite a bond, you and I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I feel so loved by you and I try every day to make you feel just as
loved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m so glad we have that
together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many times when I hug you I
find you holding on as though you never want to let go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s the feeling in my heart too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to keep you forever.<o:p></o:p><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil60Wm72aO83BZrW41egj6olQu1QtCZ_GTHrHOP61PJrChyKstCIhJ2m_tAiHKz4Z8E4M1ihJORdWpeAEOJjSjmnbk192Ip_pY4U-qOqLflOxR-JHkhXafnk3WGFx9w2pi7zXh/s1600/P1210988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil60Wm72aO83BZrW41egj6olQu1QtCZ_GTHrHOP61PJrChyKstCIhJ2m_tAiHKz4Z8E4M1ihJORdWpeAEOJjSjmnbk192Ip_pY4U-qOqLflOxR-JHkhXafnk3WGFx9w2pi7zXh/s320/P1210988.JPG" width="213" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mmtCp0RMsAPG_987yEJTQiMHuDofNp6bgKv4D08b18d-q8EscuFzz3_C0rAolE63xx5JSPy_810UWGb3Cq2mXuOK1MH-INjGdsjsMFKmKvfnp-EnvteSrgEXsMvmtotFoOIK/s1600/P1210932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mmtCp0RMsAPG_987yEJTQiMHuDofNp6bgKv4D08b18d-q8EscuFzz3_C0rAolE63xx5JSPy_810UWGb3Cq2mXuOK1MH-INjGdsjsMFKmKvfnp-EnvteSrgEXsMvmtotFoOIK/s320/P1210932.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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God knew what he was doing when he gave us you, Maddie
girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need your spunk and your
sweetness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need your artistic eye and
your humor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need your tender
attention and your many hugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
wouldn’t be the family we are without you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You were our smallest baby but your impact has been so wonderfully
great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could never have known the
tremendous gift of love and light that you would be to us in just your first 9
years of life.<o:p></o:p><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKthcyDfcyvtQW7C5MvXqzg4LCu7WFoU1cFjt-qBH2hsTMNP_vhwEt2z0XbUe3XQrnNo3InrZRqzB2KJ_Qqmw10EvCozUxtfi8EnR08A5d1hA5Tjn-m4vadw-qElQFTfzBda5/s1600/P1210527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKthcyDfcyvtQW7C5MvXqzg4LCu7WFoU1cFjt-qBH2hsTMNP_vhwEt2z0XbUe3XQrnNo3InrZRqzB2KJ_Qqmw10EvCozUxtfi8EnR08A5d1hA5Tjn-m4vadw-qElQFTfzBda5/s320/P1210527.JPG" width="213" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmv4BL99I3UQx5p-GlPMiScQMbCj0uyTLnx-xjhPXTwDDUu5tY_o7g38Qh1AhYytNZoywh3ngIphd8eWlBkTJ3BeO5jCPp2cKF_lUttXeO5MpbK1-yKpfW0lN8jOs7EfnWRyCR/s1600/P1220701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1147" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmv4BL99I3UQx5p-GlPMiScQMbCj0uyTLnx-xjhPXTwDDUu5tY_o7g38Qh1AhYytNZoywh3ngIphd8eWlBkTJ3BeO5jCPp2cKF_lUttXeO5MpbK1-yKpfW0lN8jOs7EfnWRyCR/s320/P1220701.JPG" width="229" /></a></div>
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The way you love others reminds me of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are so giving and so fiercely determined
to forgive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s gentleness, creativity
and mercy lives in you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are a
picture of God’s hand in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope
that as you grow you are able to see Him more and more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s got great plans for you and He’s already
begun to work them out. <o:p></o:p><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RHvqb1GWFt8oGqA2HYnk3vvfcjj98v2ZQNy0_9deqns0L4Zfe_j3Tt3C64LExUup2ZHH0sD0XDgif9WBcLKY_7nT2grgALjB8WSI0Bd61WY6BwzkiL8enC8psx6jZhym58kI/s1600/P1230083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RHvqb1GWFt8oGqA2HYnk3vvfcjj98v2ZQNy0_9deqns0L4Zfe_j3Tt3C64LExUup2ZHH0sD0XDgif9WBcLKY_7nT2grgALjB8WSI0Bd61WY6BwzkiL8enC8psx6jZhym58kI/s320/P1230083.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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Oh I love you so, Maddie Grace.<o:p></o:p><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF4bA3kWCm1MZ-fiY_UmM5tz6nxN2PRXyGsRc8sS9i_U4gVNI2gO-wjqf9mZ8_G1jagopMjVWMZKWI7hp9OZ3Va0eCnsi58XKqovJS8UQVQsPLe6XtKlgm9QZ7wnzDQzi_-91U/s1600/P1210547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF4bA3kWCm1MZ-fiY_UmM5tz6nxN2PRXyGsRc8sS9i_U4gVNI2gO-wjqf9mZ8_G1jagopMjVWMZKWI7hp9OZ3Va0eCnsi58XKqovJS8UQVQsPLe6XtKlgm9QZ7wnzDQzi_-91U/s320/P1210547.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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Happy Birthday.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Mom<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Miz Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334494599805008376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219573.post-70231538419889625332018-03-02T08:18:00.000-06:002018-03-02T08:18:28.781-06:00Back Again<div class="MsoNormal">
When I was young, my family made an annual trek to West
Michigan. We would pull into Grand Haven
and settle in with my Grandma or one of my aunts or uncles. My Mom came from a large family
affectionately and collectively known as “the Wallishes”. Always while we were visiting there would be
at least one large family gathering at someone’s home. It was called Family Night. And it was not only reserved for our once a
year visit. They have it weekly. Food and laughter. The Wallishes know how to do
togetherness. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was at the few Wallish Family Nights that I would have a
chance to interact with my cousins.
There were several my age or somewhat close to my age. I’m sure we talked about things but I can’t
remember any of our conversations. Still,
it was nice to have people about my age to spend time with at these family
gatherings. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My annual trips to Michigan stopped after I got married and
had my own family. We make a much more
infrequent trip to Michigan these days.
I love going back and seeing the Wallishes. But many of the cousins I spent time with
when I was growing up have grown up, gotten married, and moved away. It has been at least a decade since I saw
Elizabeth, Christina and Amy (married to my cousin, Josh). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So when Elizabeth messaged me asking if I would consider
making a trip to Washington D.C. where they all lived, I was intrigued. Her only caveat was that I would be
“required” to make a personal appearance at the book club who read my
book. She enticed me with offers to show
me all the sights. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With a trembling heart, I said yes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am a stay-at-home-mom.
The last time I have been away from my children overnight was when
Reagan was 9 months old. I’ve never been
away from Maddie or Hunter for more than 24 hours. This is not completely intentional – it just
sort of happened. Brian and I did try to
plan a special anniversary trip one year, but it was waylaid by a very sick
little boy who had a terrible infection after a tick bite. I have only flown once in my life in 2002
when Brian and I made a trip to Washington state. I have never flown alone. The thought of flying all by myself and being
away from my family for several days was daunting. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Plans were made.
Plane tickets were purchased. And
I literally rallied friends to pray for me.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When my first flight was cancelled, I was blessed with a
direct flight much earlier in the day on Thursday, January 18. Brian drove me to the airport, giving me
flying tips all the way there. He walked
me right up to the little check-in counter and helped me get my boarding
pass. And then he sent me on my way. Just
a little over two hours later, I was disembarking at Reagan National
Airport. And then Amy was there to
welcome me with a warm hug.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over the next several days, Elizabeth, Amy and Christina
showed me so many wonderful sights. We
did so many museums. I stood in front of
the Hope diamond. I saw the Constitution
with my own eyes. I stood in quiet
reverence amidst the pile of shoes from Holocaust victims. I climbed the many steps up to the Lincoln
Memorial. I read the wise words of
Franklin Roosevelt. I saw people
Marching for Life and people Marching for Women.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGyYtbVhL7keP2AxbO0Go6sZip6sjoOgCW_Ly8_i1YfI1jKvdnVqR8ogY2fRitwjE8eozQSAT9VlaQtKiwnnWW-wTLZ7j9kHx04OGeXKjvdVTmKxn_UquVfZlt5VC23XerKdl0/s1600/P1220916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGyYtbVhL7keP2AxbO0Go6sZip6sjoOgCW_Ly8_i1YfI1jKvdnVqR8ogY2fRitwjE8eozQSAT9VlaQtKiwnnWW-wTLZ7j9kHx04OGeXKjvdVTmKxn_UquVfZlt5VC23XerKdl0/s320/P1220916.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfa7x4ZrebM_LLfdfrXSqvksm5OUKCgutmz3Csf_1XexYDzIeefqfhce_GtEVNGZc6pHtxUYYtxAewLXw-oI7CTZtwHaLJurKl-xtJl0QOlKnmpN91LDCEUVmlIX6un1DTOOO2/s1600/P1220921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfa7x4ZrebM_LLfdfrXSqvksm5OUKCgutmz3Csf_1XexYDzIeefqfhce_GtEVNGZc6pHtxUYYtxAewLXw-oI7CTZtwHaLJurKl-xtJl0QOlKnmpN91LDCEUVmlIX6un1DTOOO2/s320/P1220921.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSlwJFYonaAl3LSE8bK4QqoF6S2UHtVLt1lhOMv976KcIAigx0h6EXetr3pRVhhoAr3AE_OCDO70hX7VENO4VuNgjpWHnM20t2IOMO79mRdR3epFUb3wbfCP4IdyKmOhN7RDh/s1600/P1220900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSlwJFYonaAl3LSE8bK4QqoF6S2UHtVLt1lhOMv976KcIAigx0h6EXetr3pRVhhoAr3AE_OCDO70hX7VENO4VuNgjpWHnM20t2IOMO79mRdR3epFUb3wbfCP4IdyKmOhN7RDh/s320/P1220900.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLfJIa02E2R-A2sxbOXwsoUe1n-dNtkX7ADas7HlxPHIovUodllHySL20Ic7XP5aKSNXns3pa0DyrFjxnSpi-ELz1456NJzSrZlzrvtjKfgRdfDvK5utWxqJl-NRYgYbRTOoya/s1600/P1220890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLfJIa02E2R-A2sxbOXwsoUe1n-dNtkX7ADas7HlxPHIovUodllHySL20Ic7XP5aKSNXns3pa0DyrFjxnSpi-ELz1456NJzSrZlzrvtjKfgRdfDvK5utWxqJl-NRYgYbRTOoya/s320/P1220890.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKvpA1wjDnRZYBVU94xX5LoZItnUCi5vC9tMGwS68RvAIsFf_-dfptUMB5RmdMeLaQBKp7v-WvzR1I1QEm1gq0-Qc10Y9JjuBepeAqiP5UKdePSqd1wNyNkW6rybfa1Gk-TSB/s1600/P1220887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKvpA1wjDnRZYBVU94xX5LoZItnUCi5vC9tMGwS68RvAIsFf_-dfptUMB5RmdMeLaQBKp7v-WvzR1I1QEm1gq0-Qc10Y9JjuBepeAqiP5UKdePSqd1wNyNkW6rybfa1Gk-TSB/s320/P1220887.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0IX8qvDMiKiJAkL8YS5lr4xUrPtbnZni7Y5vmoKzhgAINh98-cXMQ0Y_pXv_qzsgGIpInBF_CT_8klVzUD3wLHtLfrvOHZ-BQSVjWao-ZvNiyTdArv7CG_KW6-wwHCY6UXxGI/s1600/P1220907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0IX8qvDMiKiJAkL8YS5lr4xUrPtbnZni7Y5vmoKzhgAINh98-cXMQ0Y_pXv_qzsgGIpInBF_CT_8klVzUD3wLHtLfrvOHZ-BQSVjWao-ZvNiyTdArv7CG_KW6-wwHCY6UXxGI/s320/P1220907.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphcaU-0U-OxU8K7nz4BVa8NVyzDxsWAYl95oDbJjg01acClOekWLWrfrwOMU7fPfkw_Rctid_Bsh28KYt44k5wVBeVpOaUsbcOfubnOLOVut82p2MaTRJMv1pNYRok1EAtmJ1/s1600/P1220903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1064" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphcaU-0U-OxU8K7nz4BVa8NVyzDxsWAYl95oDbJjg01acClOekWLWrfrwOMU7fPfkw_Rctid_Bsh28KYt44k5wVBeVpOaUsbcOfubnOLOVut82p2MaTRJMv1pNYRok1EAtmJ1/s320/P1220903.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EQymMLdPxysKKIhRBMBCu7xmgyHuaC1IARihEcKvJOqW1S_29kUXDqklytabckm4ER6q9GC6bcL3BInW7Cg5guMQmEEon4xwtQRBuo8hXpyowgSbqcvedzQ9c_xoBfGpWCTI/s1600/P1220902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EQymMLdPxysKKIhRBMBCu7xmgyHuaC1IARihEcKvJOqW1S_29kUXDqklytabckm4ER6q9GC6bcL3BInW7Cg5guMQmEEon4xwtQRBuo8hXpyowgSbqcvedzQ9c_xoBfGpWCTI/s320/P1220902.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5SbMj6qQU3VhtVczvwvQ4HGbNAjnzXSmsxtj5eraw3FowhzVZjYrXlFNP3GhyQdrf0p_plIEZpFonbZDD9kZ1d-YkjtElNzFA1EwbTJpNj6MAROB-ofXPUPMcZLakEqT6kt4/s1600/P1220896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5SbMj6qQU3VhtVczvwvQ4HGbNAjnzXSmsxtj5eraw3FowhzVZjYrXlFNP3GhyQdrf0p_plIEZpFonbZDD9kZ1d-YkjtElNzFA1EwbTJpNj6MAROB-ofXPUPMcZLakEqT6kt4/s320/P1220896.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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It’s impossible to visit D.C. and not be confronted by political
views. We had rich discussions and found
we had more in common than I ever knew.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ__O2KuHShED358ot9L5fs-_Qz54abm6W1y8SS4g8BcpI7XasjjHJe40y4TJtR-5VPnCmLaO2F4tIpC1SVTZx3GNHhbg9_9h6oft-PV7EPFI3NFkS0Lfs693Pi8oU2_7n09FT/s1600/P1220919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ__O2KuHShED358ot9L5fs-_Qz54abm6W1y8SS4g8BcpI7XasjjHJe40y4TJtR-5VPnCmLaO2F4tIpC1SVTZx3GNHhbg9_9h6oft-PV7EPFI3NFkS0Lfs693Pi8oU2_7n09FT/s320/P1220919.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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There was a D.C. Family Night with the D.C. Wallishes. We enjoyed some wonderful meals
together. They taught me how to ride the
Metro. I even Ubered a few times. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I met with the book club at the CRC church so like my
own. I loved their questions. I loved hearing their comments and
observations. I loved spending time with
those dear ladies and my heart soaked up their encouraging words. You can bet I would be a member of their club
if I lived closer. <o:p></o:p></div>
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To sum up the entire trip would take too many pages of
words. It was amazing. I was awestruck at the beauty of the museums
and buildings that lined the Mall. I
passed through one of the actual cars that carried Jews to the concentration
camps. I bought souvenirs for my kids
and missed them. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And these three beautiful women, Elizabeth, Amy and
Christina set aside all their to-do lists.
They didn’t just put their lives on hold for me – they did something
braver. They invited me into their
homes, into their families and into their lives. I got to know them in a way I never had.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Seeing all the amazing sights was wonderful, awe-inspiring
and important. But spending time with
those three beautiful, smart, brave women was the very best part of the
trip. I loved seeing where they live and
meeting all of their most important people.
I loved visiting their churches and eating meals with them. I loved talking with them and learning from
them and enjoying their company. <o:p></o:p></div>
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When it was time to come home, Elizabeth’s husband was so
kind to drive me to the airport, walk me in and help me get my boarding passes
and then walk me right up to the security line.
Hours later I successfully navigated my way through Chicago O’Hare. As my final flight descended and neared the
Des Moines airport I started pouring out my thanks. I named every good gift I could think of as
the wheels touched the runway. And as my
plane taxied up to the terminal I was choking back tears.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I come back home feeling blessed. I am so blessed to call Elizabeth, Amy and
Christina cousins. I was blessed to meet
their sweet families. I am blessed to
have experienced all I got to see and do with them. I am blessed to live in this country, chaotic
though it may seem. I am blessed to be a
part of the rich history of this nation.
I am blessed by people who encourage me with my writing. I am blessed to have had a wonderful first
experience traveling alone. I am blessed
to have my dearest parents waiting for me with big smiles and warm hugs. I am blessed to walk in the doors of my house
and have three little kids run to me with wide open arms. I am blessed by a husband who held down the
fort while I was away. And I am blessed
by so many sweet friends and family who were praying for me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
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It was a marvelous trip filled with so many good gifts. And I am thankful that I was invited, that I
went, that I enjoyed it all, and that I am home. </div>
<o:p></o:p>Miz Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334494599805008376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21219573.post-20822475897336865562018-02-27T13:50:00.002-06:002018-02-27T13:52:13.106-06:00Sidewalk Squares and Miles<div class="MsoNormal">
Went for a walk today.
Sun was shining. Breeze was
blowing. Air was warm. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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I wanted a good long walk.
So I walked the path to our old house. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I started I was chewing on a worry. Meditating on an anxious thing. A mothering thing. I was stewing in the what-ifs and the
how-comes. Even so, knowing it was a
small thing in the grand scheme of things.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was almost all the way to our old house, a solid 20 minute
brisk walk, when I started to pass by the hospital. We used to live only a block from the
hospital. From the OB room where I first
held my babies you could see our house.
Brian used to joke that he was going to “make me walk” to the hospital
when it was time to deliver. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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But these sidewalks, oh we walked here. <o:p></o:p></div>
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First longing to even have the hope of a child of my
own. Then with tears of loss. Then with trembling hope of another. Then finally with my own Reagan Hope, all
colicky and pacifier dependent, in the stroller I had so longed for. Then with tiny little Maddie next to her big
sister in a double-wide jogger. Then
waddling with what I knew would be my last baby, trying to process the last
weeks of a pregnancy that I knew would be gone too soon and not over soon
enough. Then with little Hunter next to
big sister Maddie while Reagan walked or rode a bike. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know these sidewalks like the back of my hand. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Look in front of you</b>, I hear Him nudge with a whisper.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>There’s nothing there.
</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Exactly.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And it hits me that I am walking and no one is in front of
me. There’s no little one growing within
me. There’s no little one in a snug
sweet stroller, blanket tucked in tight.
There’s no kiddos zooming ahead of me on bikes or scooters. Just me.
Just me with 3 lifetimes of memories trailing behind me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Yes, you have been faithful, haven’t you? All those years of praying for just one
child. All those walks with a screaming
baby that I was pretty sure would never end.
All those late night walks where I stared up at the window of that one
room where I first met all 3 of my children.
Three here with me and one there with You. There were times I wasn’t sure, but You weren’t
looking just one block ahead. </i><o:p></o:p></div>
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I was tempted to mourn then.
Tempted to be sad that all those days of stroller walks were no longer
before me. Tempted to cry about kids
growing up and going to school and slowly becoming way too cool for Mom.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But when I’m honest I know I’m this weird contradiction - pushing my kids away with one arm, begging them to become more independent and
less needy, while at the same time desperately clinging to them with the other,
pleading with them to slow down and just stay little a little while longer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I put down my worry.
And I picked up celebration. I
walked to our new home, knowing the way ahead held so many more adventures, and my heart overflowing with thankfulness that He sees the miles AND the sidewalk
squares in front of me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
Miz Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04334494599805008376noreply@blogger.com0