14 Years Old!

 

This beautiful young lady is 14!  How quickly the years have gone.  14 is so old, I totally remember being 14 and feeling so so old.  We feel so blessed to have Anna as our daughter and as big sister to our kids and as the oldest resident cousin.  She has set a tone of affection, playfulness and goodness for her younger siblings and cousins. 

Whenever I encounter a discouraged young mother who worries about their young child who loves trouble, I can honestly say there is hope.  Anna was nothing but mischievous as a toddler.  My brothers even nicknamed her “blackheart”.  Isn’t that sweet?  She was always a sweet little thing, but did love to make mischief.   She has turned that all around.  She still has and I hope will always have a playful streak, and likes to tease, but she is also so full of kindness and sweetness and is the most affectionate person I know.  She is very funny and often catches us off guard with her wit.  She truly has a desire to be good and Christlike.  We love her so much. 

 

For her special day we let her open presents nice and early.  I had fun shopping for cute little things for her room and then she also wanted rollerblades. 

Later that day we met at the park for a party with her friends.  They had a water fight and then played some soccer and volleyball.  It was so Anna.  After her party we rushed to closing night of “Hello Dolly” which Abby was in.  Anna’s best friend, Chloe, was also in it and so sweetly embarrassed Anna at intermission when she had them announce her birthday and the whole audience and much of the cast sang to her.  As embarrassed as she was, it meant so much to have her sweet friend pay tribute to her.  It was a big, happy day.  We love Anna so very much and are so grateful to have this sweet teenager in our lives!