Jane is 8!!

My dear Jane turns 8 today. I have very mixed emotions about this. It seems that every time my children have birthdays I take a closer look at them and see little adults growing up. I'm excited for her achievements and growth, but I'm scared to lose her and realize that sooner than I'm ready for it she'll leave home and have a life of her own.

Jane is such an over-achiever. She loves all sports, all activities, and is ready to try anything, especially if someone says she "can't" do it. Sean and I have a little joke we play on her - if there is something she doesn't want to do we'll just say, "Oh, maybe she isn't old enough/big enough yet. She'll probably have to wait a year or two before she can do it," and then she'll get all defiant and go out and do it. We just laugh because it's like all she needed was the challenge.

She loves science and math, reading and writing. She loves to put on "plays" with her siblings and has the best laugh. We love the light and love she brings into our home.

Lately Jane has taken up swimming and has become VERY good at it. Often her class will have races from one end of the pool to the other and just to make things "fair" for the other kids the teacher will give Jane's foot a tug or the other kids a little push so that she doesn't get too far ahead of everyone else.

As parents we couldn't be happer with the choices she makes, especially the one she made recently to be baptized. We are so excited for this next step in her life. She'll be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on December 5, 2009, 4pm at the Bloomfield Building.

Thank you, my dear Jane, for coming to our home, for being an excellent daughter, a fabulous sister to your siblings, and a beautiful daughter of God. We all love you so much!