I Am Thankful....for Emma

Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE having a 10 year old?! 

It's one of the best things that has ever happened to me.

For years, my parents have loved this age group (you can't be fifth grade teachers for 30+ years and not love 10 year olds.  seriously.) 

But until I had my own, I didn't truly get it.

THIS IS A GREAT AGE!

Emma can make her own breakfast, do her own laundry (with great weeping and wailing and a list of excuses a mile long, of course, but it can be done) and can pour milk from a completely full gallon jug without spilling a drop.  This is magical.

I'm sure that when my parents see Emma, they have serious flashbacks....she is even more of a voracious reader than I was at her age....and that is truly saying something.  The girl tears through books, reads multiple books at a time, is constantly bugging us for more books, wants to know if she can read Charis' books or my books, and is pulling the age old "just one more page, Mom" at bedtime! Yup. Flashback.  I just told her the other night that I wrote the book on that trick....ask if you can finish the page, and then speed read through the next 2-3 pages as fast as possible before mom notices.  I got a sigh and a roll of eyes as she put the book down.

I am grateful that Emma is such an amazing student in school

I am grateful for the frienships she is making

I am grateful for youth group for her this year and the reinforcement it gives to the things

we are teaching her at home

I am grateful that she is learning the value of kindness...particularly to Abby

I am grateful for her leadship skills that are already starting to blossom

I am grateful that she can have a comfortable conversation with anyone. seriously.

I am grateful that she is gracious

I am grateful that she has a thankful heart

I am grateful that she is interested in absolutely everything

I am grateful that she likes to try new things and meet new people and make new friends

I am so grateful that "new" things aren't worrisome for her

I am grateful for her sense of humor

I am grateful that she is my daughter.