Happy 7th Birthday, Olivia!

Dear Olivia,

I don't know how it's possible that you are seven years old. My last baby, my wee 3 - you're, like, BIG now! I am grateful that even though you're big, you still love to snuggle your mama. You also love to take over the couch or bed that we're snuggling on and leave me just a tiny sliver, while laying half of your body on me, but that's not the point here.

Your seventh year was a good one. You joined our school ski program this year and really picked it up quickly. You ski SO well and have surpassed my skills (which, to be honest, doesn't take much, but I thought I'd have one season on you).

You learned to read, and you are such a little bookworm. I often find you in your bed like this.

You're in first grade and you love school; you get upset when you have to miss it, especially math.

You conquered the monkey bars, and that is now how you rate every park or playground: whether or not they have monkey bars and how cool they are.

We went on a few trips this year. For spring break, we went to Shenandoah National Park and New River Gorge National Park, where we hiked mountains, explored waterfalls, and went horseback riding for the first time.

Highest point in Shenandoah

You played T-ball.

This was the year that you learned how to swim on your own. It started during spring break at a hotel, and then at the beginning of the summer, you spent some time at Uncle Jon's and got pretty independent with swimming in their pool.

Over the summer, we visited Mackinac Island for a wedding and the UP for more waterfall chasing.

And we went camping with the Grays.

We loved the beach - during the day and for sunsets. We even went a few times this fall when we had some extra warm days.

For Thanksgiving, we went to South Carolina. We had a blast spending time with Dad's cousins and checking out a new (to us) state. 

Future cadet?

For your birthday this year, you wanted to get your ears pierced. You were brave and handled it amazing, but you did say it hurt and you never want to do it again.

You are just as fun and feisty, sweet and sassy as always. You love to be creative and silly, and you still love to snuggle your mama. 

You had a lot of fun and adventures this year, learned a lot, and grown so much. I'm so proud of you and the young lady you're becoming. I love you so much, Livvy Jo.

Happy 10th Birthday, Alden!

 Alden, my sweet middlest, you are TEN! 

It's been a super busy time since your birthday, and really just a very full October in general, so this letter is coming about a week and a half late. But better late than never.

You celebrated your birthday a couple weekends ago with an epic Nerf battle at home with a few friends from school. We had some of the boys spend the night, which was fun, but I'm not in a big hurry to do that again. ;) On your actual birthday, you requested to go out to Culver's.

You skied again last winter and totally rocked it. You earned your black sticker so you could go on all the runs, and you're excited to hopefully try the terrain park this winter. Always my daring boy.

You played basketball last winter, soccer and baseball in the spring/summer, and soccer again this fall. You don't like to leave the house when it's time for practices and games, but you really love them all once you're out there doing it. It has been so fun to watch you try all these new sports. You seem to have a natural athletic ability and talent for just about any sport you try, and it's such a joy to me to watch you do something you enjoy.

This past year has been full of many adventures. Last November, we spend Thanksgiving weekend in St. Louis to ride the Polar Express. We visited the City Museum again, and you have asked multiple times if we can go again. I think St. Louis is your favorite place.

For spring break, we visited Shenandoah National Park (VA) and New River Gorge National Park (WV). We did a lot of hiking, which isn't always your favorite thing, but you really enjoyed the waterfalls we found. We also went horseback riding.

Over the summer, you went to Lake Ann Camp for the first time. You were very nervous to be away from home for six days, but you really loved it. 

You're a kid who prefers to stay at home, but when we go places, you do enjoy yourself. You especially love if you can climb, swim, and catch critters like frogs and snakes. Skipping rocks is one of your favorite things to do whenever we're near water, and you're really good at it.

A few months ago, you asked Pete, our friend and small group leader, if he would baptize you. After talking with you about what it means, Pete determined you knew what it meant and you were ready. You have a heart for Jesus and I am full of pride knowing that you are so firm in your faith. On September 22, you were baptized in Lake Michigan, along with a few others from our small group (including me!). I know Dad was rejoicing with the rest of Heaven that day.

You're in fourth grade now, and although school isn't your favorite thing (because, remember, you always prefer to just stay home), you are doing well. You have some great friends and you're kicking butt academically.

You have this tough-guy attitude sometimes, but really, you're pretty sensitive. You're still processing things like Dad's death in your own way, and therapy is helping, but we still have a lot of hard moments. We're getting through them though and finding fun and joy and peace as much as we can. 

It's been quite an adventure-filled year, and I have loved watching you grow through it all. You are forever my favorite middlest and I am so lucky to be your mom and to have spent the last decade loving you. 

Happy Birthday (a bit late). I love you!

Love, Mom