A week and a half ago, you turned the big 1-2! It is your last year before you hit the teen years....ooohhhh goooooddddnneessssss! =) As I sit here tonight with you tucked tightly into your bed, I have a million things I want to say but I can't seem to form complete thoughts (Maybe because I'm exhausted, but I can't put this off any longer so here goes!) Part of me wants to cry that another year has gone by. So much has changed in these last 12 months! You have had a fabulous year! You have played two more seasons of soccer and gotten sooo much better. You have picked back up piano, which I am not sure if you will continue or not, but you set a goal and we try our hardest to make you guys reach those. You said a little while back you didnt enjoy it much anymore, but we are not sure if it's because it got hard for you or what....so for now, you are still tugging along with it. It makes me a little sad to think you might not play forever because you are so good at it and I enjoy listening to you practice while I am cleaning....because that's what I do most of the time....clean =) We applied to the Middle Years Program at a different middle school than what we are zoned for last year before school let out and you got accepted. We left the final decision up to you. I mean, we had just moved, you made new friends right away at your new elementary school, and if you went to the new middle school, it would be totally new kids, since you werent zoned for it. We gave you all the positives it had and the one negative of not knowing anyone and once again, 6 months later starting all over with friends. You decided to go and you LOVE it! It's a good haul for us, but your brother and sister are champs in the car there and back twice a day! You made friends right away. Your faith has been tested not only by another student this year, but also by a teacher. (which should have never happened but God used it for His glory) You stood your ground respectfully and we have probaly never been more proud of you! You have grown spiritually so much in this last year! I feel like we have had soo many conversations of whats appropriate and what's not at your age. So many people your age aren't given restrictions and they are allowed to watch and listen to things that they shouldn't. They are allowed to wear things that you'll never own. Girls are allowed to text boys and who knows what else. Our deal with boys right now is yes, you can like a boy...We believe that is natural...but at this time, that is the extent of anything boy related. We feel like as you get older, that part of your life will be more appropriate but as of now, we want you focusing on other things and not becoming completely obssessed with boys. Too much of a good thing is bad and right now you are just learning who Darbie is. We want you pursuing God, and not a boy. My daily prayer is that you will know that this is for the best. That there will come a time when you can watch certain things because you will understand more and you will be more mature. As of now, you dont question us and you accept when we tell you "no". I know this will probably change as you enter your teenage years but for now, I just smile and enjoy this moment. Your taste in clothes haven't changed much in the last year. You still L-O-V-E Justice, which is probably an understatement! You are not afraid to wear something just because of where it comes from and I love that! You are more into following clothing trends of what other kids are wearing...not necessarily trends, but you are more into brands that others are wearing. And that's ok! Some things we buy for you and others we make you buy yourself.....like the 50.00 underaumor hoodie you want right now... yeah, you are buying that one little girl! =) You are still your same sweet self. You look out for others and you are still kind. I pray this a a trait you'll never loose. We teach you to treat others the way you want to be treated and you do! At the moment, you still love playing with Brylee. Partly, I feel she has kept you "young". You still play barbies, babies, and whatever else she wants to play. I know these days are sooooo close to being over but I still enjoy you two playing together. she looks up to you like you don't even know! She truly misses you every single day you are at school. Hudson loves you too! I'm not sure if he misses you yet though =) Daddy and I are learning how to raise you. You are our first and we have made a lot of mistakes and I am sure we'll make plenty more. We sooo don't want you growing up, but at the same time we are sooo enjoying watching the spritiual, loving, laughing, sweet young lady you are becoming! We know God has HUGE plans for your life! We pray that you always follow His lead in everything you do!You decided you would rather like to spend the weekend at Great Wolf Lodge instead of having a birthday party this year. It partly made me sad becasue I love planning your birthday theme with you, but it was what you wanted and I enjoyed our weekend get away! We had never been and decided to not take anyone else with us this time. However, when we got there we found out that they had upgraded our room to a suite, which was amazing and roomy! While you, daddy, and Brylee were at the waterpark playing, I had to take Hudson to the room to get a nap in and during that time I called your bestfriend from school's mom to see if she could join us for the weekend. You had no clue she was coming! You enjoyed having her there with you and I have no clue how late you guys stayed up...However, I know you were passed out at 1:30 because from that point until almost 5 am, you brother thought it was party time and we were up. Because Great Wolfe Lodge is pricey, we didnt take you to your choice of restraunt for your brithday dinner. You wanted Captain Georges, which is an all you can eat seafood restraunt that is amazing delicisou and amazingly expensive! Yes, you have expensive taste in clothes, jewelry, shoes, and food! =) And purses...even though you dont even carry one you are already asking me for my coach purse when I am done with it! We had a pizza party in our room that night with specialized desserts for everyone! You had a slize of red velvet cake, which is one of your favorites, Brylee had a cooke, daddy and I shared a slice of cheese cake, and Caroline had a cup cake! I am sad that I didnt get many pictures but we were having so much fun at the waterpark I didnt want to sit on the side with a camera...afraid of getting it wet =( Here are a few that I do have!
The funny thing about this picture is we stumbled upon you guys in the hallway while we were trying to get in the room and you walked withint 5 feet of Caroline and never even noticed her!
Yes, your sister got you a My Little Pony card and you loved it! You just better be glad I talked her out of the my little pony toy she wanted to get you for your birthday =)
You blowing out your candle!
All in all it was a fun, special weekend! Everyone emjoyed themselves and we had a great time!
We love you so much and we are soo proud and honored that God saw us fit to be your mom and dad!
Love always
Mom and Dad
