Can’t believe my baby girl is eight years old today. I’m so so thankful to be this girl’s mama. What a gift.
Here’s the top ten of Elianna’s year seven.
1) It’s a blast to see you continue reading and enjoying reading. It’s so nice to have a sister above and a brother below, because your reading is broad and exciting. I think the Wingfeather Saga takes the number one spot for you–and the rest of the fam.
2) You started 2nd grade at school this year for the first time. You loved all that school had to offer you: friendships, lots of activities, and learning. I’m so grateful for how you adjusted to this new thing and how you did it with joy and grace. And I’m thankful to still have a couple days a week homeschooling with you.
3) You’re just an amazing big sister to this little guy. He has a special love for you because of all the love and time you’ve poured into him. And you’re great with little kids in general–really good with them. They all seem to like you as much as you like them.
4) Helping in the kitchen is always something you’re quick to volunteer for, especially if we’re making soft pretzels! One of your favorites! You also love washing dishes, if they aren’t too gross.
5) You get roped into doing lots of creative, outdoors stuff, which you don’t seem to mind too much. In the pic above you kids were making fall fairy gardens. I’m glad you enjoy time with your two older sibs. Doesn’t mean there isn’t bickering, but overall, there’s a ton of happiness together.
6) You have a knack for choreography, which means learning dances and routines comes quickly to you and you really enjoy it. It was fun to watch you at your school Christmas program, both singing and dancing. Still love your awesome vibrato!
7) I love this pic of you and your dad. Aside from looking alike, you both have a certain twinkle in your eye. Grandma’s got it too. I love seeing them in you. I love how God has made you.
8) Vacation is the best part of life for you. You enjoy a great many things, like wrapping your arms around the leg of largest buffalo in the world. We do a lot of hiking on vacation and you’ve let me know that you don’t really like hiking. When hiked up Sacajewea in the Bridger Mountains, you struggled to enjoy it, until you discovered the hair of mountain goats on trees and bushes along the path. You gathered it up and stored it in your pockets to keep your hands warm during the cold hike. Here’s to many more hikes with mountain goat hair along the way.
9) Ears. Pierced. This has been your request for long time. You asked and asked and asked. We avoided, delayed and ignored. But many months ago, we decided Yes. And while we let you know we made a decision, you didn’t want to know what it was. So a couple days ago, we surprised you with a trip to Claires. Eliza and you bonded over pierced ears and a merry-go-round. I soaked in the goodness.
10) Elianna, you’ve come a long way in the last year. Two sibs above, two below, in many ways you are the center of our family. We’re blessed to get to shepherd your big heart and all the feelings and emotions that go with it. We’re blessed to be the recipient of your unassuming love and affection.
I’m asking God so many things for you. I’m asking him for a foundation of stone for you to build your life on. I’m asking him to keep you in the shadow of his wing and to protect you. I’m asking that Jesus would wrap his arms around you and never, ever let go–that you would know his love as more real than any earthly affection. May you grow up in Him. May you be spared the pain of a misspent youth. May all the sin that you commit or others commit against you be manifestly purposeful in helping you to know God, may not one bit be wasted. He loves you. He loves you. Jesus loves you, this I know.
Be His, baby girl.
