Hallie is SEVEN!

To the most precious girl on the planet...My Hallie Belle...

What an incredible year its been. This year we have watched you grow in every single way. You just started FIRST GRADE in TEAM at Silver Ridge and of course were more then ready for that adventure to begin. You have taken off and LOVE your teacher, Ms. Rust and boy oh boy does she love you. (But of course, how could you not). You are so sweet, so thoughtful, so strong, so smart, and so incredibly determined.  You started gymnastics in January and are KILLING it! You are a naturally talented athlete and continue to move right up the ranks with ease. You are currently a Hot Shot (duh) and Dad and I are fighting the 'good problem to have' of trying to hold you back so you don't end up in the Olympics! Your passions for life and gymnastics are contagious. You are the BEST big sister ever, and are holding your own with the title of 'little sister'. 

About a month ago, we moved into our new house on the lake and you are LOVING it! You are a fish, and an avid sunbather. You're also always up to try anything that Zack has done in an attempt to beat him to the punch for bragging rights. And you are so talented and athletic that you are generally not too far behind! And I love watching you guys play, and laugh, and enjoy this crazy life. Hearing your giggles while you are kayaking or paddle boarding, or your excitement to go play on the boat or go tubing warms my heart. Dad and I are so incredibly proud to call you our daughter. And cannot wait to watch as you conquer the world.

This year has been full of adventures, traveling, skiing, watersports and so much more! We just got back from our annual trip to see Grammie in California and right before that, we had a blast taking the boat to Newlife youths summer camp in Eastern Washington. We enjoyed spring break in Whistler (at which you broke your clavicle in a high speed sledding accident), and lots of other trips here and there. You are ALWAYS up for a good adventure. And you were the cutest little lady that has ever graduated from Kindergarten in June! You are an absolutely incredible human and you light up our lives every single day!!!


Again today, I pray this prayer over your life.

Jesus, thank you so much for this gift of life that you have blessed us with.  What an amazing honor it is to be her mom. I pray that your grace would pour out over Hallie's life and that your Holy Spirit would invade every part of who she is. I pray that she would know and truly understand that she is amazingly beautiful. She is the picture of perfection created in YOUR image. You created her as an artist creates a masterpiece and looked upon her and said, "It is good!" Jesus, I pray that Hallie would grow to exude confidence and grace. That she would be amazingly strong, courageous, and dignified, yet incredibly gentle and kind. I pray against any outer influence that says that she is not good enough, or that she is lacking in any way. Lord, I pray that all of her worth would be found in you. God, I pray that Hallie would dream big and love deeply. And be loved deeply in return. And Jesus, please guard her heart. Set her apart for you and your will. I pray that your love would envelop her and consume her and she would find herself in you. Lord, protect her heart, her mind, and her body. I pray that your protection would follow her all the days of her life. I am so excited for the days ahead and to watch my baby girl grow into a woman that is chasing after your heart. I cannot believe that I just took her to her first day of elementary school, and I'm sure the tears will flow as she goes to her first day of middle school...and then High School. And I am so excited to hear her name announced as she walks across the stage to receive a diploma. And see her Daddy walk her down that aisle - glowing with your love as a beautiful bride. Or to watch her hold her baby in her arms for the first time, and gaze into his/her eyes as I know it is at that moment that she may finally get a glimpse into how much I love her. Jesus, thank you for this precious gift! Please give me wisdom to be her mom...To love her every single day of her life, to encourage her always and to be her biggest fan. I pray that you would be apparent in all of my words and all of my actions. Lord, help me to strive to demonstrate your love for Hallie in a tangible way in hopes that it will give her the smallest peak into who you are. Just as her name means "Praise God", all I can do is praise you for this precious life. May Hallie grow into the amazing woman that you have called her to be!

Amen.


Sweet girl, you have my entire heart for my whole life. Your kind spirit and your strength and determination are unmatched and will absolutely open any and every door that you knock on. Go get 'em girly. You are beyond words incredible.

Love you forever,
Mom