As Annika was talking on the phone the other day to Auntie Anna who called to wish her a Happy Birthday, I sat back and watched. I noted how the chubby cheeks have slowly gone away. The holes in her smile are filling in with permanent teeth (already saving up for braces). She's getting taller by the day. She was having a real conversation. She's having real emotions about legitimate problems. Next year she won't even have to be in a booster seat anymore! I got a little choked up. Surely this isn't the same little girl who stole our hearts and started us on this path of parenthood!
But before I cry, here are 7 things I love about my 7 year old:
1) How much she is in love with our family, especially her little sister and brothers.
2) How she is (usually) more than willing to help around the house
3) How she says, "Seriously, mom?" like a teenager, but still says the word "yogurt" like when she was three.
4) How she makes you feel little extra special with her hugs
5) How she says "I love you mom" when she knows it's been a rough day (due only to her siblings of course).
6) How she loves to explore and figure out the world around her (can you say future engineer?!)
7) Lastly, but most important, how she is a lover of Jesus.
And to think it all started out like this...
Now I think it's only fitting to show pictures of Annika doing what she does best...loving on and helping her sister and brothers...
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| Taryn |
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| Landon |
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| and, finally, Simon |
Happy Birthday Annika! Mommy and daddy love you so much!
Yes, just yesterday she asked a deeper follow up question after I gave her a "standard" answer. I like the challenge, but I'm starting to realize she's definitely changing.
ReplyDeleteShe is very special to me too, since she made me a "grandma"; well, technically you and Dan did... :) She is a keeper!
ReplyDeleteThis is an awesome reflection. Aidan is 7 this year too and just the other night I commented to him at bedtime cuddletime that I remembered when he was a baby and I would hold and rock him before bed. He looked at me and said "I love you, mama." And for a seven year old to say mama just melted my heart. We're so lucky to have our little peeps! I love the pictures - thanks for sharing. Kathy Little
ReplyDeleteGreat post Reb. Annika is a sweetheart. I love it when she walks up to me and hugs my leg and gives me a grin. Pretty soon, ok probably now already it isn't my leg, at least not for long.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I like the "7 things" list...I don't do a good job of noting specifics like that and we know things like that will fade in our memory even though we want to hang onto those precious momentos.
ReplyDeleteSara
I've experienced a random Annika hug and they are the best! :) Can't wait to see her (and everyone else) in 3 weeks.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, to all! I know...definitely 7 is very, very different than 6. Mine just doesn't listen when I told him to quit growing up. I told him that at 5 and 6, but he just keeps getting older!
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