Happy 15th Birthday Alyssa

 Dear Alyssa,

You made it! You're halfway to 30. Congrats! What an exciting year this has been for you. Finishing middle school with high honors, starting high school with just as much gusto as you take on in everything school-related. In case you didn't know this, Alyssa, you are amazing. I'm not just saying that because I'm your mom either. So many people see that in you and gravitate towards you. You have such a quick wit, always with the quick comebacks. You are so smart and so funny and so empathetic. I'm always blown away by the little cues you catch up on that people are giving out, and how you can bring your unique brand of funny and bluntness to make someone smile or make someone pay attention.

I know last year was a really rough birthday. I hope we can turn things around for you this year. You're growing so fast. I know you keep asking me what I think about you being my last baby in high school, turning 15, about to embark on driving and joining the work force. Honestly, I can't believe it's here already. I am looking forward to all of these exciting milestones that are coming for you. There's so much to cram into these next 3 years with you before you graduate and really begin to pursue your dreams. I'm not sure how we'll get to it all. But I will tell you this, I will cherish every single moment of it. 

You are going to do amazing and wonderful things in this world, Alyssa. I have never ever doubted that about you. You just keep on being the fun one. Keep trying your best and working hard and so many doors will open to you. And it's okay that you don't have it all figured out right now. It will come with time and experience. So try new things, explore and have adventures. The sky's the limit. Happy 15th birthday Lissy. Love you forever and always.

 

Love always, 

Mom 

 

Happy 18th Birthday Chris

 Dear Chris,

 

Over the last few weeks as we have approached your milestone 18th birthday step into adulthood I have really been reflecting over the years.  This is a very exciting year for you and a very bittersweet one for us as your parents. While I look back and sometimes miss the days of you saying everyone was 40, calling yourself Mr. Awesome or Chris Danger or your cute toddler voice questioning very innocently "Who said shit?" I am also looking ahead at your future.

 

You have such a bright future ahead of you, but I have to admit something to you, Chris. Right now I am terrified of you going into adulthood. Because the thing is I know I have so much more to teach you and prepare you for, but I also know how ready you are to spread your wings and fly from the nest. And trust me, we want you to do that more than anything because we know you are going to do amazing things, but we also want you to not make some of the mistakes we have made along the way.

 

And look, we know it's all a part of growing up. You have to make the mistakes to learn, but I do hope you'll hang in there with us a little bit longer and understand every single nag about your grades or argument about getting up and getting on the bus is because I love you and I do know the world is a cruel place. In order for you to achieve your dreams, whatever they may be, there are certain things that if you do them the right way now it is just going to make it easier for you in the future.

 

So I'm asking you, my dear son, please bear with us as we navigate these waters. Yes, we've done the step into adulthood twice before, but this is our first time with YOU. And as you loved to declare as a very little guy, perhaps not so modestly, you are awesome. But with that awesomeness comes great responsibility. So please try to heed our advice. 

 

Senior year of high school is such a fun time. So do take time to enjoy it, but work hard. Graduation is so close, you can reach out and grab it and it's another bittersweet milestone that this year is going to bring for us. 

 

Please understand, we love you so much and really do only want the best for you. So please try and have a little patience with us and we'll try and do the same with you. 

 

Happy 18th birthday, Chris. Welcome to being an adult. Be prepared to spend the rest of your life missing the good ol' days of being a kid, lol.  Remember, no matter what we will always love you and have your back!

 

Love, 

Mom

 

 

Happy 14th Birthday, Alyssa

 Dear Alyssa,

I don't know how it's possible that my last baby is going to be starting high school this year. But here we are, wrapping up middle school and choosing what high school you'll go to. I know this is a tough choice. You want to be with people you know, but you also want to pursue all of your interests. Listen, you do not have to pick your career path now. You have lots of time to figure all of this out. Follow your heart. In the end I think you know what's best for you.

This year has been filled with lots of changes, and I know it is not starting off the greatest. But we'll get through this hiccup and there's so much to look forward to this year. Your sister's wedding.  Your 8th grade dance. Your 8th grade graduation. Starting high school. I think this is going to be a good year for you.

So keep your head up. Keep looking forward and keep on working hard. You are so smart and so witty. We never know what's going to come out of your mouth and most of the time it's usually something that makes us laugh, or gives us a really great story to tell for years to come. I am looking forward to getting to correctly celebrate your birthday when Dad gets home. And I know he is too. We love you so much. Happy birthday, Lissy Loo.

Love always,

Mom

Happy 17th Birthday

 Dear Chris (AKA CJ),

Happy 17th birthday. You're growing up so fast. When I look back on our time together I began thinking about when I was pregnant with you and was dreaming about what having a son would be like. You are so much better than what I ever could have imagined you would be. You are smart and funny and even at 17 you still want to be around your old mom and help her out with things.  You even look forward to my birthday letters to you every year. I can't imagine what life would be like without you in it, that is for sure.

I hope this year brings so many more new and great things for you. And I'm sure it will if you can continue to work hard and make good choices. This will show us how you've grown and that you're responsible.

Always remember, your dad and I believe in you and know you can do whatever you put your mind to. And part of life is always going to be doing things you don't always want to do or don't enjoy doing. But the rewards you get for doing things you don't like or enjoy will always make it worth it.

I'm looking forward to the next year and then some for you. I hope all of your wishes come true this year and that you have the happiest birthday yet.

Happy birthday, CJ! I love you.

Love always,

Mom

 

 

Happy 13th Birthday Alyssa

 Dear Alyssa,

I don't know how it happened, but somehow you are a teenager. It feels like just yesterday we were frantically driving to the hospital because you surprised us during an ice storm to come a day before you were supposed to. But you did it, you're a teenager.

You amaze me every single day with how smart you are. I don't know how you do it, maintaining those straight As in school. And you're so humble about your grades too. Keep up the hard work. You will do great things in this life.

I love how you want to get involved in everything. Even if it makes me a little crazy trying to juggle it all. You have so many talents. I hope you always keep trying new things.

My wishes for you this year are really the same as always. I wish for you to be happy and continue to pursue all of your dreams. I hope 13 is everything you dreamed it would be, but do me a favor and stop growing so fast. Enjoy these times and don't be in such a hurry to be all grown up. You'll have plenty of time for that.

Happy 13th birthday, Lissy. I hope you had a fun day and got everything you wanted. I love you always!

Love,

Mommy

Happy Sweet 16, Chris

 Dear Chris,

Okay, I'm not gonna lie, that's still hard to type, even harder to actually say. Sorry, but 15 years of calling you CJ, it's just hard. So please continue cutting us some slack, won't you?

Looking back over these last 16 years I can't help but think where did the time go? When we made your time capsule 15 years ago I thought it's going to take forever before we get to see what's in here. Boy, was I wrong. I blinked and you were towering over me. It probably doesn't feel that way to you, probably feels like it took forever to get here. You made it though, we made it even.

Kiddo, I want so many wonderful things for you and your life. And trust me when I say this, all the things you want to do with your life are absolutely 100 percent possible. I know you might think I have to say that because I'm your mom, but all that means is I know you better than anyone else does. And that's exactly why I know you got this. You are so unbelievably smart. And it's okay that math and writing aren't really your thing, you don't have to be the best at those things. You do have to always try your best though, even in the areas that are difficult for you. And I think you are beginning to see that.

We had a rough year this past year, but I see that fire back in your eye, that urge to stay on track. And hey, I don't expect perfection, no one is perfect. I'm sure there are going to be mess ups along the way, but as long as you keep on correcting yourself you'll be just fine. 

Your future is so bright. Whether you join the Army or the Navy or just go right into working in an automotive shop after high school or maybe something else entirely, who knows. I know you'll do great things. Keep working hard, and keep being kind and polite to others. Those doors are going to keep on opening for you.

Keep up the good work you're doing this year, Chris. I am so very proud of you. And the more responsible you are, the more responsibility you'll continue to earn. An after school job, your license, and your own car might not be too far off, so long as you do your best to always think before you do. Happy 16th birthday CJ, AKA Chris. I love you. Best early birthday present I ever got!

Love always, 

Mom

Happy 21st Birthday Kaitlyn

 Dear Kaitlyn,

Twenty-one wonderful years of watching you grow and learn. I don't think I could admire anyone more than I have admired you. With your great will and tenacity to do whatever you set your mind to with all of the roadblocks that get thrown in your way. The things you have experienced in your short life I truly believe would have made me crumble. But they have just made you stronger and more determined. I have always loved that so much about you.

This is a big birthday. And as usual you have lots of big plans for the year ahead. I am so looking forward to seeing how it all unfolds. Daddy and I will always be here for you. And just know, just because I might not be jumping up and down with excitement when you tell me one of your plans, or I tell you I don't think something is a good idea, that 100% does not mean I think you're stupid. I could never ever think that about you. Not after everything you have overcome in your life. I'm just a mom who worries and wants to protect you from ever getting hurt. Doesn't mean I am right though. You have to make your own choices in life and I know that, but it doesn't mean I'm going to stop playing devil's advocate for you if I think you should look at something from a different point of view.

I want you to go out there and live your life however you see fit. And Daddy and I will be proud of you no matter what. Because you are a good, kind, considerate and helpful person. We know only good things are meant to happen for you.

I miss the little girl you used to be, but absolutely love the beautiful, strong, confident young woman you have become. Happy birthday Katie Kiddles! I hope all of your dreams come true.

Love always,

Mom

P.S. Sorry there's no picture, but you know how you are with having your picture taken ;).

Happy 12th Birthday Alyssa

 Dear Alyssa,

The day has finally arrived. You are now officially 12. A much anticipated birthday for you as the last year as a preteen. You have been talking non stop for weeks now about today, well perhaps months. I do hope it ends up being everything you hoped for.

And speaking of hopes, looking ahead I also hope the last year in the preteen phase are everything you imagined and then some. I know things have been tough for you this last year with so many changes. Starting middle school, me going to work out of the house leaving you to come home a lot to no one home. I hope you can embrace this chance of freedom for you. But not too much. We have a lot of trust in you that you'll make good choices. I'm sure you won't disappoint.

Keep on smiling and don't be in such a hurry to grow up. Enjoy every minute of being 12. Because you'll only be 12 once. I love how social you are, always wanting to do things with your friends. I'm so glad you have found yourself such a nice friend group and that you all will have each others backs. Keep having fun and don't ever lose that spunk.

I love you so much and love that I get to call you my daughter. Happy 12th birthday, Lissy. 

Love always,

Mommy

Happy 15th Birthday CJ

 Dear CJ,

I can't believe I didn't tell you you're halfway to 30. Ha, I'm sure I've told you the story of Grandma telling me that on my 15th birthday. Always a great thing to hear first thing in the morning.

Anyways, what a ride these last 15 years have been. You sure have a knack for keeping us on our toes. And this year the thing that I was dreading finally happened, you decided to have people call you Chris instead of CJ. I knew this day was coming. I'm just so relieved that you don't want me to call you Chris, because honestly, this has been really hard when talking to your teachers. Most of them know we call you CJ, so sorry if you're still getting called that at school.

This has been such a big year for you. I can definitely tell you are very much trying to assert your independence. Do me a favor though, will you? Don't shut me and your father out. We love you very much and we can help guide you through all of this. Believe it or not we have navigated the teen years. And while we can't know exactly what you're going through we do have a fairly good idea, especially when it comes to the big stuff.

I am enjoying watching you navigate the whole exploratory process at your school and picking what you want your trade to be over the next 4 years. Can't wait to see in a month what you finally choose. Will you go a completely different path than you intended when you started this school like your sister did, or will you stick with what you've always thought you wanted? I have my suspicions on what you'll do. And I'm sure you will do it quietly with zero input accepted from anyone on the matter. Because that's just how you roll. If you do ever want to hear my thoughts on the matter though, you know I will happily share them with you.

Keep working hard and keep trying your best. You, my son, are such a bright and caring person. I miss the little boy you once were, but I love watching the man you are turning into. Happy 15th birthday, CJ! I know you are going to make the most out of every opportunity that comes your way. I love you!

Love always,

Mommy

Happy 20th Birthday, Kaitlyn

 Dear Kaitlyn,

Happy 20th birthday! You're getting so old; or so you keep telling us. I know you still are toiling over what to do with your life, but try not to stress too much. You'll figure out what's right for you. But always make sure whatever you do everyone around you truly sees and appreciates your value. 

I am looking forward to what adventures you will be getting yourself into this year. I know you have a lot of big plans, so I hope everything works out the way you want it to. Keep working hard, but finding ways to have a good time.

Thank you for all the help you offer with your siblings and around the house. We all really appreciate you so much, even if we don't always say it.

I hope you have a great 20th birthday. Congratulations on making it through your teen years. Happy birthday Katie Kiddles, I hope you have so much fun today.

Love always,

Mom

Happy 11th Birthday Alyssa

 Alyssa,

 Double ones on 2/2/22, what a fun birthday you have, in so many ways. I hope you had tons of fun today. You sure are loved, that is very obvious. I hope you know that and felt that today and every day. 

So fun one, what do you think of 11? I have some hopes for you as you go through this next year. I hope you keep being adventurous and trying new things. I hope you get to spend time with friends and family more this year after the last two years of mostly being stuck at home. I hope you get to have a fun and memorable end to your time in elementary school this year. I hope you can start middle school in the fall in a more normal way than school has been for you over the last few years. I hope you keep finding ways to make your own fun.

I am so glad I have gotten to be your mother for these last 11 years. I'm looking forward to what the next 11 years and beyond of your life are going to bring for you and us. I see so many bright things for your future. You are going to do great things.

Happy 11th birthday Lissy. We love you.

Love always,

Mommy

Happy 14th Birthday CJ

 Dear CJ,

Happy Birthday Mr. Awesome. For the last 14 years you have been bringing so much joy and happiness to our lives. Watching you grow has been truly bittersweet because while I want to spend as much time as possible with you I also love seeing you overcome every obstacle.

People tell me all the time what a great kid you are. And it's so true. You are polite, you are funny, and you are a hard worker. Such great qualities which will take you so far in life.

I am so proud of what you are accomplishing this year. I know I drive you crazy always reminding you how important it is to do well in school so you can make your dreams come true, and you have truly stepped up to that challenge this year. I don't know why I was worried you wouldn't do it. Keep up the hard work kiddo, I promise you it will take you far in life. 

The world needs more people like you in it. I'm just so happy I get to be along for the ride. I hope 14 is a great year for you. The best is yet to come in life, kiddo. Remember, don't have a good day, have a GREAT day! I love you always and forever. Happy birthday, CJ.

Love always,

Mommy

Happy 19th Birthday Kaitlyn

 Dear Kaitlyn,

What a year it's been. Not exactly how any of us thought it would go, and everything you worked so hard for all seemed to end in a fizzle. But in true Kaitlyn fashion you plugged on probably a lot less phased by all you missed out on than I was.

I know you think 19 is no big deal. Nothing big happens this year, it's just another day, but I know you will make this a great year. Whether it's going back to school in the fall, or finding yourself the job you see yourself doing, you will figure it all out. Maybe not this year, but everything you challenge yourself into doing always leads you to a new adventure and something new you find out about yourself. Don't think you have to figure it all out at once though. Now is the time to try new things and explore all of your interests.

I am truly looking forward to you finding your path. And always know your father and I will always be here with you every step of the way cheering you on and offering advice whether you want that advice or not. 

Happy 19th birthday Katie Kiddles. I hope you have a lot of fun today and a great year ahead. I love you!

Love always,

Mommy

Happy 10th Birthday Lissy

 Dear Alyssa,

Finally, the much anticipated day has arrived. I hope it hasn't been too disappointing what with COVID raging on and a near blizzard putting a monkey wrench in everything for you. I cannot believe that you are 10 years old. It truly feels like just yesterday I was sitting on the couch after eating dinner when you said nope, I'm going to change all of your plans and make you scramble. You have been full of surprises literally since the day you were born.

You know, you round out our family in the most perfect of ways. I know you wish you could be a big sister, but you're just going to have to settle for someday, hopefully far down the road, being someone's awesome aunt. You complete this family, no one could ever follow your act. So sorry kiddo, you're stuck being the youngest, but rest assured, you are awesome at it.

The past year has been anything but typical. There has been a whole lot of shifting of plans and even some losses along the way, but you sure have shown how very strong and resilient you are. Switching to distance learning, you did so without complaint and even have done pretty good with it. I hope life can start to get back to normal and you can start getting to hang out with your friends in person and not just on Zoom or on the phone. I know you miss your friends.

You are growing up so fast. Sometimes I wish I could make it stop, but at the same time I can't wait to see where life is going to take you. You have so many great and wonderful thoughts for how your future will play out. No matter what you do, I am sure you will be great at it and you certainly are not going to let anyone push you around. You are a girl to be reckoned with and it's because of that, that I have no doubt your greatness is going to shine in whatever you do.

Have a great birthday baby girl, and I hope your 10th year with us is absolutely the best one yet. Happy 10th birthday Alyssa. You complete us!

Love always,

Mommy

Happy 13th Birthday CJ

 CJ,

It's finally here, you are now a teenager. As I do every year on your birthday, I have been reflecting on all the years that came before with you. Starting of course with our first moments together just staring in awe at your perfectly round little baseball head thinking how you were the greatest early birthday present I ever got. And you are just the gift that keeps on giving every year too. 

You told me this year that you wanted to bake me a birthday cake, all by yourself simply because I always bake you a cake for your birthday every year. Just knowing that you want to do that for me is the best birthday present you could give me. Because you know that I bake you a cake because I care, and you want to do the same for me to show me that you care. 

With each passing year I am more and more proud that I get to be your mom. Watching you come into your own has been great to see. Hearing from others that you have such a good head on your shoulders and don't just follow the group and start doing whatever the other kids do. It's a great quality to not be a follower.

The last year has most definitely been trying in so many ways with having to figure out a different way to do school and not being able to see your friends. You haven't complained though. And I know there have been times you have wanted to give up, but you have continued on. Please keep working hard, even with all of this adversity. You have so much potential to reach your dreams, and I'm not just saying that because I'm your mom. 

I hope today is everything you hoped it would be, and I hope your 13th year ends up being everything you thought it would be. Keep growing, keep learning, and keep having that big giant heart of yours. I love you so much and wish you the happiest 13th birthday a boy could ever have.

Love always,

Mommy

 

 

 

Class of 2020

This blog has become mostly a place where the kids birthday letters reside. As the kids have gotten older I have found it harder to blog because a lot of the trials, tribulations, and triumphs haven't really seemed like they are mine and mine alone to share. So my Monica's Mom Musings blog has pretty much shut down long ago. And this is what I've had left as well as Facebook to share what's going on.

Today, I felt the need to say something that's a little more than a Facebook post. You see in the midst of this pandemic Kaitlyn has lost a lot. She was supposed to get her driver's license right as everything shut down in our state so that has been put on hold. She was supposed to have an 18th birthday bash to end all (okay, not really, but she had big plans for her 18th birthday that had to be put on hold). Senior prom, cancelled. Senior trip, cancelled. School is now officially as of today out for the rest of the year. And we still have so very much unanswered questions about what is going to happen for the class of 2020.

And no, Kaitlyn and her school are not the only class dealing with this. I feel for every single Senior out there. Kaitlyn's school put together this 15 minute video about how much they miss everyone and plenty of shout outs to the class of 2020 in there. And I have been holding it together all this time, but watching that cheesy video the school and staff put together I couldn't hold back the tears anymore.

I got to thinking all the way back to even before I met Kaitlyn. When she was just a teeny tiny little embryo in my stomach in 2011 when 9/11 happened. I was pretty newly pregnant with Kaitlyn and it seemed like the world was ending then. I cried so hard wondering what am I doing bringing this baby into THIS world, this is awful. She was born seven months to the day of 9/11 and it was all still very fresh in everyone's mind, all over the news it kept saying, today is 7 months since 9/11.

Life marched on though, Kaitlyn made plans for her future, and dreamed big. This was supposed to be her year. She worked so hard for this. She isn't getting the chance to say goodbye to her friends, she had no idea the last time she saw them could very well have been the last time she actually saw them. She can't get her yearbook signed by her friends, she's not getting the prom that she insisted she didn't want to go to anyways, but now that she can't it's super disappointing. And there is going to be nothing like what she envisioned, if they even get some sort of graduation. Everyone says they will do something, but it's not going to be the same.

That video her school made hit me super hard though. They came into this world in a time of war, and now they are graduating in a national pandemic. It's not supposed to be like this. My heart breaks for the entire class of 2020 and it also breaks for the parents of the class of 2020. We too had big dreams for what this year would be like, the memories that would be made. And they did not include toilet paper shortages, school ending months earlier than it was supposed to and being switched to online, and the very real realization that graduation, at least in the traditional sense of the word was simply not going to happen. And of course I want everyone to be safe, I know this is the way it has to be, but I should be crying tears of joy right now not tears of sadness for what my daughter is missing out on.

I know she will rise above all of this, I know she will make of her life everything she has dreamed of it, and she will go forward head held high. But some day when she either has children of her own and/or nieces and nephews asking her about her senior year, I just wish this wasn't the story she would have for them. I mean I guess depending how she tells it, who knows it could end up sounding pretty cool. And it will be a graduating class all of us will be talking about for years to come I would imagine.

Class of 2020, it was supposed to be your year. We are all grieving with you.

Happy 21st Birthday

Dear Natalie,

Well, here it is, your 21st birthday. You are now a full fledged adult in the eyes of the law anyways. You however have been living your life as a full fledged adult for the last 10 months. This year is so surreal. We don't get to see each other and celebrate you in person because of the Coronavirus. You don't get to do everything you had hoped you would do today. But we will make the best out of it anyways and do everything we can to make this day special for you. And hey, when this is all over you get a whole other day of celebrating you. So that's something to look forward to.

You and I have been struggling the last few years as we figure out our relationship and where we go from here. This last year I feel like maybe we are making a turn. I don't know if you feel the same way. I just hope you remember that I will always be here for you no matter what. If you are struggling you can come to me and I will do everything in my power to help you out. No matter how old you get I will be here for you.

I hope this year brings you so much happiness and another step closer to figuring out your future. Just remember, what you always thought you wanted to do with your life just might lead you to a different path and that's okay. Now is the perfect time to explore all of your options. I know you will figure this all out, just remember you are not alone. So many people care about you and are willing to help you figure all of this out. Whatever you decide in the end, know that I am proud of you.

Happy 21st birthday Nat. I love you.

Love always,

Mommy

Happy 18th Birthday Kaitlyn

Dear Kaitlyn,

It feels like just yesterday I was sitting at home playing Bejewled on the computer completely unaware that I was in labor with you. Your dad knew though, he watched me playing that computer game and timed how many times my face winced in an hour. Here we are though 18 years later and you are still full of surprises.

I'm sorry this day isn't going to be what you had hoped it would be because of this pandemic. Frankly, there have been a lot of unfair things about this whole thing that have happened to you and I completely understand how disappointed you are. I do hope your day ends up being better than you have been expecting. If nothing else, I guess you'll at least be getting a lesson that things don't always go as we plan them to, but that doesn't mean it has to be a bad thing. Okay, maybe I'm actually getting this lesson. Sometimes I feel like you take these kinds of things better than I do. You do deserve so much more though. We will make the best of it all though.

My wishes for you this year are that you begin the first steps in pursuing your dreams. Whatever those may be and however they may change. You are such a hard worker with such a big heart and so smart (yes, you are smart) that there isn't a doubt in my mind that you will do whatever it takes to do what you want to do in life. Always know that Daddy and I will always be here for you no matter how old you get and no matter what you need. We are your biggest cheerleaders now and forever and just want you to be happy.

Happy 18th birthday Katie Kiddles, I hope all your wishes come true.

Love always,

Mommy

Happy 9th Birthday Lissy

Dear Alyssa,

Well, I'm sorry today came after all. I know you said you didn't want it to come. I don't know why, maybe because you haven't been feeling well. I know it wasn't perfect, I hope you still had a good and memorable birthday and that all of your wishes you made today will come true.

But you are nine now, getting that much closer to 16 like you want to be. You know, I do hope you'll take time to enjoy 9 and all of the rest of the years from now until 16. There's a whole lot of fun each of those years can bring you too. Don't be in such a hurry to grow older. I know you feel like you're missing out because your brother and sisters get to do all this cool stuff before you, but they had to wait just as long as you did.

So here's what I hope for you this year. I hope it's filled with lots of fun and laughter. I hope you will find that love of reading soon. I hope you'll learn to write in cursive and love it as much as you thought you would. Most of all I hope you know how much you are loved by so many people. You are after all forever and always the fun one. Who wouldn't love you?

So happy 9th birthday Lissy. I love you.

Love always,

Mommy

Happy 12th Birthday CJ

Dear CJ,

Another year has passed. You are a year older, hopefully a year wiser, and a year taller. I feel like you've really blossomed this year. Starting to open up more with what's on your mind and what your opinion is about things. And I love seeing how your mind works too. What things are important to you and things that are not so much. Other people have been noticing it too and telling me what a cool kid you are.

You have such a big heart. You always watch out for those younger than you. I don't think I've ever had to tell you to do that either. If there are little ones around you step more lightly and take the time to help them and show them the way. That's probably why little kids always enjoy being around you so much.

This year you started middle school and you marched right into it like you've been there all your life. I on the other hand was a nervous wreck for you. But you have owned it. It never seemed to bother you when you found out that your best friend wasn't going to be in any of your classes, you went there and made new friends. Seemed like without hesitation too. If it was hard for you, you certainly never let on to me.

As we go through the next year I hope you continue to tackle things this way with this take charge attitude of yours. But always know Daddy and I will always be here for you whenever you need us if you are unsure or scared about something. It's okay to be scared, and it's okay to ask for help.

I hope you have a great 12th birthday, one that you will always remember and look back on fondly. Keep on being awesome. We love you. Happy 12th birthday, I'm so glad I get to be your mom!

Love always,

Mommy