Bekki turns 18!!

Well, my youngest birth child has gone and turned 18 on us!! How did this happen so fast I say! It seems like only yesterday that she was a 14 year old girl trying to find herself among all the changes in her life after our move to Ohio in 2005. I am truly amazed at just how much she has changed and become a woman of great faith. Now, that's not to say that she has reached her potential, but she is on the right road to finding it.

Bekki will graduate from high school in May. She has been home schooled for her entire education and I am proud of myself and of her for sticking to it. It's not easy getting thru high school and making sure all has been completed. I am thankful for a program called PEP for short or Providence Extension Program in which she attended classes two days a week and worked independently at home to complete each weeks studies. The program is very agressive and excellent. There were times when I just wanted to free her from the demands of the program, but she insisted she stay the course and complete it and she will in May 2009. Congratulations dear daughter, you have done well.

A few things about my daughter, Rebecca Lyn

1. Has very strong opinions...could win a debate

2. Excellent writer and speaker...may this ability continue to be challenged

3. Loyal...will stand with her friends

4. Tends to hold her emotions inside herself...ends up hurting

5. Thoughtful of others...will always go the extra yard to make them feel appreciated

6. Musically talented beyond ... plays piano & guitar and loves to write songs and sing

7. Beautiful...inside and out

8. Can be a hard worker....when out serving others

9. Committed to things she believes in....

10. Enjoys baking...that will come in handy when she finds her husband

11. Excellent ice skater...dedicated many years to competitive skating

12. Dancer at heart... always

13. Big sister to her two younger adopted sisters....not always easy

14. Desires to work in ministry with music...would like to attend the Hillsong School of Worship in Australia in 2010.

15. A good friend

16. Will become a driver very soon...takes it seriously

17. Has always wanted to attend a "ball" and be like a princess

18. My daugher...I love you Bekki!!

Brithday Celebrations

Emma celebrated her 4th birthday this past week. I don't know why I am having such a hard time with this new age, but can't they stay 3 a bit longer? I love the age of 3. I was a year full of newly aquired skills:

1. NO MORE DIAPERS
2. SLEEPING IN HER BED ALL NIGHT
3. SPEAKING IN SENTENCES
4. RIDING A BIKE
5. HELPING WITH CHORES
6. BEING AWARE OF THE NEEDS OF OTHERS
7. PLAYING WITH FRIENDS, VERY WELL
8. TALKING TO HER GRANDMA ON THE PHONE (HER FAVORITE PERSON)
9. HAVING A FAVORITE MOVIE, CINDERELLA
10. TELLING HER MOM THAT SHE LOVES HER SEVERAL TIMES A DAY!

Ayway, so long to 3 and hello to 4. I am looking forward to seeing how Emma will bloom this year. I don't wish the days away as growing up happens much too fast for this mama!!

HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY MY SWEET EMMA-LIA GRACE!!! MAY GOD BLESS YOU WITH ANOTHER AMAZING YEAR.

Emma's Favorites

Here is a list of Emma's favorites. Donna, I had to steal this from you. :)

1. FAVORITE TOY: stuffed green dog that was a backpack, but she made me cut the straps off! You have no idea how hard it is to find a green dog.

2. FAVORITE THING TO WATCH ON TV: Mickey Mouse Club and doing the Hot Dog dance!! This has been a favorite without fail for 2 years now.

3. FAVORITE CHORE: Dusting with mom or sweeping up with her dustpan.

4. FAVORITE WORD: I'm hungry, all day long. We feed her constantly!!

5. FAVORITE TRICK TO PLAY: Hide behind her bed and jump up to scare me!

6. FAVORITE ANNOYING HABIT: Telling me she's hungry!!

7. FAVORITE DRINK: Apple juice

8. FAVORITE FOOD: Mac & Cheese or anything with cheese!

9. FAVORITE MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION: Any car as long as she gets to go out somewhere. She loves to travel and rarely wants to go home.

10. FAVORITE OUTFIT: Tutu dress :)

11. FAVORITE TREAT: Chocolate chips, reward after going potty that has not ended.

12. FAVORITE THING TO DO: Play with her sisters who are very good with her.

13. FAVORITE COLOR: Green!!!

14. FAVORITE OUTSIDE ACTIVITY: Swimming in the summer

15. FAVORITE GAME: Her Match the Faces game and she can beat her dad bad!

So, I thought this was a lot of fun and it made me really think about what my little Emma is all about. She will be home with us for two years in a few weeks and we cannot imagine our lives without her bubbly personality. She is a daddy's girl during the day and a mommy's girl at night. She adores her sisters and talks about growing up so she can do all the things that they do. I tell her that she needs to stay four for a long time!!