Emery's Eighth

 

Eight... you're eight. It doesn't sound right at all. I swear it was just yesterday you were speaking in your little babble language and toddling around. 

You've grown so much this past year, Em. You have matured so much. You even lost your two front teeth which I was dreading. It changed your whole face! Oh and I guess I should clarify.. you didn't just "lose" them, you let daddy pull them out! You just passed one year of KidStrong and holy moly you have grown leaps and bounds from that. I am so thankful. Your self confidence exploded and I love watching you shine!!

You're so, so smart. You tell me a new fact almost every single day and most of the time you're teaching me. You've explained why elephants can't jump, how many times a human farts a day, on average, and how it's actually the boy seahorses that give birth. 

I love how much you love holidays, just like me. You make any day a party! Always down to dress up, decorate, and celebrate! You love routine, lists, memorizing just about anything you read, and keeping diaries. Oh and speaking of reading... you are still such a book worm. My little Matilda. You wowed the librarian when you completed the summer reading program in three weeks! You keep your room spotless more often than not, except for the pile of books and stuffed animals you keep in your bed. You got a Tamagotchi for Christmas and have not missed a single day of caring for it! I swear you're more responsible than me. You still mainly eat a diet of carbs and... carbs. A raw carrot every now and then but most of the time it's grilled cheese and pasta. Although you have added chicken nuggets back in! Progress! :) 

Your favorite thing is for family to all be together. I love how much you love all your cousins and how you call them your "Tennessee Cousins" and "California Cousins" and how much you enjoy being with them. You come ALIVE in the summer. You have been my little fish your whole life. You love being in the water and got really good as diving for "sinkies" in the pool. You tan just like your Lala and your hair bleaches blonde right in the front just how my did at your age. 

Dad and I have been setting aside one on one time with you and Lincoln and I have really enjoyed it. One day you and I went to Target just us two and I got you your first Starbucks drink. You thought you were big time with that for sure!

I really love being your mom, Em. It is the most amazing, challenging, fun ride of my life! Sometimes I want to pull all my hair out and the next I'm sneaking in to check on you while you're sleeping just to see you one more time that day. You can push my buttons like nobody else, but most of time we are best buds. Watching you grow is truly bittersweet. One thing that always makes me laugh is that you can always tell when I've cleaned any room. You come in from school and run upstairs and I hear, "HEY MOM LOOKS GOOD UP HERE!! SO CLEANNNNN!" 

I want you to keep your goofy side forever, never stop singing in the shower, and always keep your eyes on Jesus. He has big plans for you and I am so excited to be right here to witness it all. You are AMAZING! 

Happy 8th, my Emery. I love you!

Mama