Moving on up

Today was a big day for our Maggie Lu. 8th grade graduation followed by the much anticipated 8th grade dance. They say the days are long but the years are short. Isn't it the truth? I mean really, this girl was just graduating from preschool.

We couldn't be more proud of her and her sweet friends. Not for a minute do we take 

for granted the wonderful friends she is blessed with. 

some that have even been with her since those first days of life.

Mags and her adorable friend Carson. These two have been doing school 

together since the first days of preschool.

It was quite the photo shoot

Maggie Lu + Gracie Mae

Pretty Girls

So here's to another year. Another milestone and new beginnings.

She is more than ready to take on high school. I am so proud of her courage, her

kindness, her perseverance, her hard work and her love for Jesus. 

You're going to be just fine, Maggie Lu.

Love, your sappy mama

Photog in the House

Found these sweet pics Maggie took of the kiddos a couple months ago. She did these when I was gone one day and told me none of them turned out. I beg to differ. I think you might have a career 

(or at least a fun hobby) ahead of you Miss Maggie Lu.

Thirteen Years

 

We have another teenager in the house.

 

This girl. Such a good mix of sugar and spice. Her sugar side you will not find on the court or the field. Something she's been working on. You know, not mouthing off to the refs or getting in her opponent's face. It could be her size- she has no choice but to play aggressive. Or the Dacey temperament as Rocky likes to say. Or maybe just her passion for the game. She's been done with basketball for approximately 9 days and said tonight "I miss basketball." She's happiest when she's competing with her best girls by her side.

 

When it comes to her sibs, she is most often sugar. As we enter these teen years we see her pushing away and looking for autonomy and space. Of course she is, and it's completely natural. At times it's hard for me to see because her whole life she has been so devoted to her younger siblings. She still is- just in limited doses. On the flip side of that what I get to see is a new friendship evolve between her and Sam. This year has marked handfuls of nights the three of us have sat up talking and laughing together. Their relationship growing and him seeing her as not just a little sister but a friend. One of my greatest prayers is for my kids to be best friends. I pray they will lay the groundwork now and strengthen the bonds for future years.

 

In June we will be traveling to Ethiopia with her two best friends and their mamas. I am a mess of emotions over this. Elated that she will experience this beautiful country that her brother is from. Thankful she will see a world so much bigger than this insulated bubble we live in. Excited to see how she loves on others. But if I'm totally honest, I'm pretty anxious too. It's a huge deal to take these girls to a third world country to serve the oppressed and vulnerable. I am trusting God to guide our steps and I am praying for wrecked, sold out hearts that are moved to continue the good work being done in Jesus' name. I can't imagine for a minute my thirteen year old self having a sliver of interest in spending a week of my summer serving. God is already doing such a work in her heart and she is far more mature in her thirteen years than I was at twenty.

 

I can't imagine these three in any other order. I am so thankful these two little ones have such an awesome role model in their big sister. These two get the gift of a big sister that sets a wonderful example of loving God, loving others and working hard.

Maggie Lu, we couldn't be more proud of you. God has given you precious gifts and talents. I pray that you find those gifts and go boldly and confident in the work He has for you. Happy 13 years, Peanut. We love you.

The End

Five years ago Maggie told Rock the only way she'd play basketball was if he coached her team. So he did. And each year after that until tonight. It came to an end this evening as she played and he coached their very last game of parks and rec basketball. It's been a blast to watch her grow and learn from her dad. She adores her dad (why wouldn't she?) and loves having him for a coach. She started out a timid little peanut on the court and five years later she loves the game and is quite the force to be reckoned with. Still a peanut, but a tough peanut.  I was so thankful to capture this picture of them on the bench together. And even though I was feeling a little sad about the end of this chapter, he's got two more little girls that just can't wait to play for their dad!

World Changer

The most social of butterflies is our Maggie Lu. She has the gift of gab and even when her mouth isn't actually saying words it's still moving and some type of noise is coming out. I am so thankful for our first girl. Big sister just comes natural to her and even though we're hitting some new territory she is almost always willing to invest in her little sisters. Who, by they way, think she's the greatest girl in the world! Of course they do. She is a born leader and as her teacher so sweetly told me at conferences, if there is a food drive or bake sale to be organized, Maggie is the girl. I think that might have been her polite way of saying she's a bit bossy. But bossy, harnassed and pointed in the right direction means a girl with vision and power to make change. I love her heart for little ones. I'm qute positive she would miss just about any social event if it meant time loving on babies. I sometimes worry about the years ahead and this new season we're entering as tween/teenage girl and her mama. I pray for both our hearts and give Him thanks for the moments we have now. Thankful that she still wants to spend time with me and selfishly happy that she never wants to spend a night away from home. Our first gift all wrapped up in pink. Our hearts our filled with thanks!