You are eight years old today. I can hardly believe it. You have so, so many strengths. You are advanced in every subject in school. You not only absorb information like a sponge, you also mull that information around in your head constantly which means you have such deep thoughts for a kid your age. You understand so very much. A year ago you were nervous about getting baptized. We had talked about it being a serious commitment and I think that made you think twice. For about five months you told us that you didn't know if you would get baptized at age 8, maybe you would wait until you were 9 or 10, which we said would be up to you. About seven months ago we started reading the lessons in Preach My Gospel with you in depth. You already knew a lot but it was good to take our time and dive deep into each lesson. At the end Dad challenged you to get baptized and you accepted. You really took your time thinking about it and learning and understanding, and you finally decided you were ready. I am glad you are taking this decision seriously and I am glad you have had several spiritual experiences in the last year that have helped you come to know that God is real and present in your life.
You are also a huge tease. You know just how to push Ethan and Clara's buttons. You love to get a rise out of our family members-even Dad, Cohen and I! You adore Ethan and want to do everything with him. You are kind and loving to Clara most of the time too. When she needs someone to play with you will willing play whatever game she wants to. Cohen doesn't like to snuggle with you (he knows what a tease you are!) but when he wants some rough housing, giggly play he almost always seeks you out to play! He thinks you are so fun!
I feel bad sometimes that you are the "middle" child. Ethan gets a lot of attention just because he is the oldest and so the first to do many things. Clara is our only girl and has her kidney disease which all gives her lots of attention. And Cohen, being the baby, gets endless attention from all you kids but also lots of attention from me that he needs. Sometimes I worry I am not giving you all the attention you need. But you are thriving. Just when I think I am not doing a good job as a parent you will come up and hug me and thank me for being a good mom. You are the first to be a peacemaker. You are often the first to say sorry or the first to serve. You can get angry and mad but you know how to change your attitude around and forgive. I am so grateful for what you bring to our family. You are one special kid. I seriously don't know what I would do without you. You ground me and, without knowing it, you give me strength to face the hard days. You have been a light in our life since the day you were born and you continue to bring joy in ways I could have never imagined. Thank you for being YOU. Who you are is so precious to me.
