Summer - Five and a Half!

Summer on her half birthday, in CA

Summer's half birthday was on February 3rd.  She is now officially closer to 6 than 5!  Yikes.  That is really crazy.  Seriously crazy!  We were in CA on Summer's half birthday (more about that in the next post) but I would like to dedicate this post to my favorite firstborn and total sweetheart, Summer Tenleigh!

Dear Summer,

At age 5.5, you are more than I ever could have hoped for in a daughter.  You love Jesus with your whole heart and it is so rewarding for me to see how God is using you to show love to others.  You are an encouragement and inspiration to me as I admire your boldness in telling others about God's grace in Jesus.  People ask me if you are ever unhappy, because they see your constant REAL joyful smile, skip and hop in your step, and enjoyment of life.  You love to read and learn and whenever you are given the opportunity, have your nose in a book, however you are full of spunk and personality and have been described by many as a "social butterfly".  You have a memory like a steel-trap, and know random facts about so many things.  You love fully and truly make people feel so special.  Your siblings adore you, as do your mommy and daddy.  You have a truly caring, empathetic, and unselfish heart and your sweet conscience is so tender and conscientious guiding you to make right decisions and cause you to proactively seek forgiveness after mistakes.

You have grown so much in the past few months!  While you have always been a natural leader, you are constantly improving in transferring your leadership skills from bossiness to being a "leader-in-love" as we often talk about, to the point where I rarely would use the "bossy" word to describe you anymore!  Way to go, Summer!  On the picky-eating front, you are still a naturally "selective" ;) eater, but you have grown your self-control to eat anything with a smile on your face without complaining.  Great job, sweetheart!  You still love pink and purple, dressing up, and putting together outfits, and have still been known to cry over wardrobe issues, however you very quickly gain your composure back now as you have learned perspective and now think of your frustration in light of bigger issues which you know are happening in the world today (i.e. some kids don't have any shoes, instead of crying over WHICH shoes).  You are truly maturing in so many ways!!

Your schedule has changed so much in the last 6 months, from staying home with Mommy full-time to now being in school full-time.  I'll admit I was a little unsure on how everything would pan out, but you transitioned beautifully and have done an amazing job of entering a new situation and schedule, maturing in many ways, and keeping your same heart, love, respect, kindness, and love for the Lord.  You keep pretty busy in all your activities!  I love to watch your perma-smile and energy in gymnastics, your perseverance and improvement in piano, your quick memory for verses and love for inviting friends to AWANA, and your creativity in arts and crafts that often comes out in the form of notes and cards for the many people you care about.  I cherish our daily Bible reading as we cuddle in bed together each morning and I look forward to your arrival home from school each day when I can hear all about your day!  I am so thankful you love to talk about everything you did at school because I want to hear it all!! 

You are truly an answer to prayer and I could not be more proud of you, who you are and who you are becoming.  I continue to pray that you will stay strong for Jesus and bring glory to Him and others into His kingdom.  I love you, Summer Tenleigh!!

Love,
Mommy

Summer loved her special day at school this week wearing the birthday crown and all the other special things she got to do!