I am pretty sure this gets harder to do every year!
Here you are HK on June 8, 2006 being held by your Grammy all 7 lbs 10 oz of you!
One year later...what a joy you quickly became in our lives!
Still one of my favorite pictures to date!
Well and maybe this one too!
We LOVE to watch you dance. You have such natural musicality and your heart is in it so deeply when you dance. My favorites are the dances that you just make up as you are listening to the music. That's where you are natural and in your element. You told us this year that you want to start taking private lessons and working towards your toe shoes! I hope you do it!
First Day of Kindergarten
Last Day of Kindergarten
Your babysitter, closest thing to a big sister you will ever have, and role model!
First Day of First Grade
You truly are an amazing Big Sister to your brothers!
They are quite blessed to have you!
They are quite blessed to have you!
A new baby cousin was added this past year.
Playing on the snow mountain (during the 4 months that we lived with Nana & Grampy this year while our home was being remodeled)!
We are never short of drama when you are around!
You lost your two front teeth this past year.
You moved up to Phaze 2 at dance convention.
Cheesecake has become one of your favorite things. So on our girls weekend trip Nana & I took you to the Cheesecake Factory! You were in shock at the size of the piece.
That weekend we also went to the American Girl Store and had lunch. This was your first experience here and you brought McKenna along for the fun. We had a great time eating, swimming, and shopping!
Oh and how can we forget the night you found out that you were going to have another baby brother. Your heart was broken.
As you can see in the picture above you were so excited during the anticipation stage, but then you were extremely distraught and could not even muster a smile for the camera. I think you have gotten use to the idea. I am not sure if you are excited or not? We will truly find out very soon. Even though you were initially disappointed, I want you to know that you are great with your brothers. They could not have a better big sister to play with them and take care of them like you do. I just want you to know that they adore you (most days).
You were one lucky girl getting to spend your birthday on the beach and celebrate on vacation!
I love this picture of you (taken on your birthday at Folly Beach, SC)
You have developed quite the love for boogie boarding!
You were so exhausted by the end of the day on your birthday. We just let you lay on the couch until you passed out. This picture is so sweet. It captures all of the necessities for a good night's sleep! First there is your zebra pillow and blanket. Then there is Gigi the doll, Fifi the cat, and Ella the cat. They go wherever you go. Ella and your blanket are the longest and most faithful friends. Gigi was a super bargain I found at Lifeway one day and had no idea she would become so important. Fifi is the newest to the mix. This was our joint deal that you made on this year's dance convention trip. I had a coupon and then we split the cost. I put this picture in here because someday it will not require such a group of friends for a good night's sleep, and I want to remember these days.
HK you are truly growing into a young girl. I have had several people comment lately how you are growing up and changing. You truly are developing the look of a young girl/lady and losing your little girl look. What a bittersweet thing for me to realize and admit. Our goal is for you to grow up into an independent young lady that loves the Lord and loves others, but at the same time I just don't want you to do it too fast!!! I want to savor that you want me to lay down on your bed with you every night and that you will hold my hand when we walk places.
Your spirit has been quite challenging this year...I will not lie. Teaching you about your emotions and how to have self-control has been extremely challenging. You have shown me things about myself that I need to work on and change. I will not give up on you (or myself) even on the days that I feel like an utter failure as your mother. You are first the Lord's precious daughter and I trust that He will equip and give Daddy and I what we need each day to raise you and love you unconditionally.
You finished first grade this year and did an excellent job. When you finished the year, you were reading at almost a 4th grade reading level. You played ball again this summer and amazed us with how fast that you can run. You don't even realize many of your abilities sweet girl! My favorite is still your dancing. It is a window into your soul.
I could talk about you for hours and hours. I just want you to remember always how much Daddy & I love you. You are definitely the princess of this family. I am sure it won't take you long to figure that out and how to use it to your advantage. Remember that Jesus loves you even more than Daddy & Mommy. We pray that you will continue to seek after Him with your whole heart. We are always here for you no matter what may come your way. We again look forward to watching you change and grow in this coming year. You are our one in a million girl!
