This was a big one you said..."I'm now two digits Mom!!". Yes, you really are 10 years old! You have sprouted up like a weed this past year lily...I randomly will be looking at you and think 'Wow! She is getting so tall!". Despite your change in height, your personality remains the same...you make us laugh alot Lily! I know you get your inspiration for your story narratives from Calvin and Hobbs and it comes out in how you retell a story or a funny comment in a conversation. You love to make people laugh! You also like to be alone, to read and to journal or write stories. Kaitlyn just doesn't understand why (she is such an extrovert) but you somehow manage to manage your time well and play a ton with Kaitlyn but also sneak away for some reading/alone time. You are a friend to all Lily...not so much connected to one best friend, but you play with lots of different kids at school...but you do like having Esther H in your class and have had several play dates with her. Grade 4 was intimidating for you...especially with a teacher change mid-way through the year but you faced your fears, didn't quit and discovered that it was actually ok.
This year has been HUGE for you Lily...you have struggled with anxiety for many years...and it would often keep you from participating in fun things or being yourself in a group setting. On a recommendation from a friend of mine, we purchased a program designed to help kids find freedom from their fears. You launched into that program and never looked back...conquering your fears and anxieties that were holding you back. The other day you said to me, "Mom, I think I'm over that'. What a huge answer to prayer! I know that it may be a lifelong battle you have to face but now you have the tools to 'talk back' to that voice that is trying to create fear and worry where there is none! I am beyond proud of you Lily. You have shown such emotional maturity and intuitiveness as you have continued on this journey from fear to freedom. We will continue to pray about that for you.
Here are some things that I want to remember about you when you were 10:
-The pink blankie is going strong but your new thing is to fluff it into a circle shape on your pillow and lay your head down into it
-Your favorite book is Call of the Wild...but you also have a whole bunch of other favorites too!
-You love collecting little metal animals (you have a turtle from Egypt and a snake from Chad)
-You still gallop around like a horse but less often...claiming that your shoulders were starting to hurt (perhaps growing out of being able to do that?)
-You think school is a breeze...except for Math and Grammar (although you do well in those too)
-You are the LOUDEST person in the pool....the whole neighbourhood can hear you shriek!
-You are still so skinny minny...gotta fatten you up Lily!
-You love toast with butter and strawberry Jam, and you chose Lasagna for your birthday meal
-You have an old ipod of ours and you love wearing your comfy headphones (Christmas present!) and listening to calming music while going to sleep
-You LOVE to read before going to bed...it's always a struggle to get you to turn out your light!
-You enjoy horse back riding but I think you are just as happy playing around in the sand pile or visiting the baby turtles
-You know where to turn to when you are worried or stressed...you have some verses memorized that remind you to lean hard in God when life seems overwhelming or unfair.
-You love playing with Kaitlyn...she is your best friend. She knows you so well....you can be yourself with her and she gets you.
-You love spending one on one time with daddy or myself. One of your love languages is quality time so we try to make those individual hangout times happen regularly. Room dates are fun and low key...a special drink (tea or coke) and a plate of snacks (chips or cookies) and some games or coloring to do with some candles of course. I really do like that.
-You are counting down the days til school is over! Not that you don't like school....but you would rather homeschool and you just love being at home. One of your favorite things to do on a weekend is...nothing!! No going out, or entertaining...just playing, reading, eating, games etc. Nothing scheduled but a very relaxed pace. We try to make that happen but life gets busy...especially on the weekends when daddy is home.
-You chose to go to the Hilton this year for your birthday, to swim and have a meal by the pool and you brought your friend Esther with you. We had a GREAT day! It was hot as blazes so we were in the pool most of the day. Fun!
-We are bringing a cake to share with your friends at school after the school holidays....it's going to be a book cake (a stack of different colored books). Something you LOVE!
-You LOVED Egypt (the unlimited french fries and pop and your 6 course breakfasts each morning!) and can't wait to head back as soon as school gets out! I can't wait either!
-You play a lot more inside these days (the heat??) but are still up for a game of house, or puppy or a trampoline game or swimming or skipping or recently, riding your bike over a ramp you made! Evie just LOVES playing with you (so does Bethan...a girl living across the compound from us)....you are up for anything Lily.
-You enjoy writing poetry (you have a little book that you keep your poems in) and stories...your narrative is hilarious. Very Calvin and Hobbs esque. I wonder if you are going to write a book one day?
-You and Kaitlyn spend hours setting up your playmobil sets or building lego houses and then acting out the scene. I just love watching you create and imagine!
-You love friday night movie night...it has been consistently part of our week for several years now...a great way to start the weekend. You are usually up for anything...whether it's a cartoon or one with real-life actors.
-You are a chatterbox....at bedtime! As the lights are going out, then out comes all your stories and thoughts from the day...love hearing about them though but we need to account for this time and start your bedtime process sooner....not good to stay up til 9pm or later on a school night!
-You learned to play the piano last summer (the basics) and have recently been practising again. We are hoping to continue the lessons in the summer. You are good at it and enjoy hearing success as you play a song without stopping!
-We have a little notebook that we write little notes back and forth to each other when we feel like it. I always smile when I see the pink notebook on my pillow...
We love you a lot Lily. You are your own person Lily...quirks and 'that's just Lily' moments. I can see how you have matured and grown, not only in your character but in your faith as well. We are blessed to walk beside you as you continue to figure out who you are and what plans God has for your life. You are full of energy (more so at bedtime??!!) and joy and laughter and fun follows you wherever you go. Keep on smiling Lily! xoxo
This year has been HUGE for you Lily...you have struggled with anxiety for many years...and it would often keep you from participating in fun things or being yourself in a group setting. On a recommendation from a friend of mine, we purchased a program designed to help kids find freedom from their fears. You launched into that program and never looked back...conquering your fears and anxieties that were holding you back. The other day you said to me, "Mom, I think I'm over that'. What a huge answer to prayer! I know that it may be a lifelong battle you have to face but now you have the tools to 'talk back' to that voice that is trying to create fear and worry where there is none! I am beyond proud of you Lily. You have shown such emotional maturity and intuitiveness as you have continued on this journey from fear to freedom. We will continue to pray about that for you.
Here are some things that I want to remember about you when you were 10:
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| You are 10 now!!! |
-Your favorite book is Call of the Wild...but you also have a whole bunch of other favorites too!
-You love collecting little metal animals (you have a turtle from Egypt and a snake from Chad)
-You still gallop around like a horse but less often...claiming that your shoulders were starting to hurt (perhaps growing out of being able to do that?)
-You think school is a breeze...except for Math and Grammar (although you do well in those too)
-You are the LOUDEST person in the pool....the whole neighbourhood can hear you shriek!
-You are still so skinny minny...gotta fatten you up Lily!
-You love toast with butter and strawberry Jam, and you chose Lasagna for your birthday meal
-You have an old ipod of ours and you love wearing your comfy headphones (Christmas present!) and listening to calming music while going to sleep
-You LOVE to read before going to bed...it's always a struggle to get you to turn out your light!
-You enjoy horse back riding but I think you are just as happy playing around in the sand pile or visiting the baby turtles
-You know where to turn to when you are worried or stressed...you have some verses memorized that remind you to lean hard in God when life seems overwhelming or unfair.
-You love playing with Kaitlyn...she is your best friend. She knows you so well....you can be yourself with her and she gets you.
-You love spending one on one time with daddy or myself. One of your love languages is quality time so we try to make those individual hangout times happen regularly. Room dates are fun and low key...a special drink (tea or coke) and a plate of snacks (chips or cookies) and some games or coloring to do with some candles of course. I really do like that.
-You are counting down the days til school is over! Not that you don't like school....but you would rather homeschool and you just love being at home. One of your favorite things to do on a weekend is...nothing!! No going out, or entertaining...just playing, reading, eating, games etc. Nothing scheduled but a very relaxed pace. We try to make that happen but life gets busy...especially on the weekends when daddy is home.
-You chose to go to the Hilton this year for your birthday, to swim and have a meal by the pool and you brought your friend Esther with you. We had a GREAT day! It was hot as blazes so we were in the pool most of the day. Fun!
-We are bringing a cake to share with your friends at school after the school holidays....it's going to be a book cake (a stack of different colored books). Something you LOVE!
-You LOVED Egypt (the unlimited french fries and pop and your 6 course breakfasts each morning!) and can't wait to head back as soon as school gets out! I can't wait either!
 |
| Date with mom...quiche and hot chocolate! |
-You enjoy writing poetry (you have a little book that you keep your poems in) and stories...your narrative is hilarious. Very Calvin and Hobbs esque. I wonder if you are going to write a book one day?
-You and Kaitlyn spend hours setting up your playmobil sets or building lego houses and then acting out the scene. I just love watching you create and imagine!
-You love friday night movie night...it has been consistently part of our week for several years now...a great way to start the weekend. You are usually up for anything...whether it's a cartoon or one with real-life actors.
-You are a chatterbox....at bedtime! As the lights are going out, then out comes all your stories and thoughts from the day...love hearing about them though but we need to account for this time and start your bedtime process sooner....not good to stay up til 9pm or later on a school night!
-You learned to play the piano last summer (the basics) and have recently been practising again. We are hoping to continue the lessons in the summer. You are good at it and enjoy hearing success as you play a song without stopping!
-We have a little notebook that we write little notes back and forth to each other when we feel like it. I always smile when I see the pink notebook on my pillow...
 |
| You LOVE to ride on Dad's motorcycle! |
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| Animal lover...you adored these puppies at the horse farm. |
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| Very Chadian of you... |
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| The Birthday Party Crew! |
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| Hilton swim up bar....you ordered a glass of ice! Haha! |
We love you a lot Lily. You are your own person Lily...quirks and 'that's just Lily' moments. I can see how you have matured and grown, not only in your character but in your faith as well. We are blessed to walk beside you as you continue to figure out who you are and what plans God has for your life. You are full of energy (more so at bedtime??!!) and joy and laughter and fun follows you wherever you go. Keep on smiling Lily! xoxo
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