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