Eliza is TWELVE!
Quintessential Eliza.
Dear Eliza:
I can't really say that I find it so unbelievable that you are an almost-teen because from birth you have always seemed much older than you really are.
It's been over the past year that I've seen you change the most. You started junior high and suddenly my little girl looks like a young lady.
Selfie #456,678,000
I swear I have to do a double-take when I scroll through your jam-packed Instagram feed, because in some pictures you look like you're closer to 21 than 12, and in others, you look startlingly like me!
Even though you are a bit sassier than I like, and way messier than I care for, your other wonderful qualities far outshine your few shortcomings, so I'm willing to cut you (a little) slack.
There is no doubt in my mind that you were especially, specifically, hand-chosen to be mine. If you weren't my daughter and came to this Earth in another form, I am positive that we would have been friends. If I weren't your mom I'd be envious of the woman who was. I like you. A lot. And apparently, so does everyone else. You continue to be the kind of girl I wish I'd been at your age, and the thing I continue to pray every year is that you continue to be this kind of girl for the rest of your life.
I am super-proud of you. Every day I look at you and marvel at what it must be like to live in your world. It looks pretty awesome. When they coined the phrase "joie de vivre", you had to be what they had in mind.
You are an amazing big sister. You are nurturing and perfectly lovely to your siblings. I know they annoy you and drive you crazy, but I appreciate how kind you are to them - how helpful you are to me when it comes to their care. Kellan and Larissa absolutely love you.
Your #1 fans!
You are adventurous. The gusto with which you embrace life is exhilarating. I was so cautious, insecure and shy as a child - you are as far opposite of those words as one can get. There is not enough "new" in the world to accommodate the far reaches of your interests and ambition. You will try anything once. You are the first to volunteer. You order the biggest desserts. You are the definition of the phrase, "Go for it!"
Taking a bite out of life: literally and figuratively!
You are ambitious. Fortunately you have the responsibility, the dedication, and the commitment to chase your desires and achieve your goals. Sometimes I worry that you are taking on too much, but you surprise me. You fit in extra time to get help with math when you feel stuck. When a particular trick at gymnastics eludes you, you try that much harder instead of throwing in the towel. You set your alarm a little earlier when you have a big day ahead, and put yourself to bed early when you know you've done a lot. "Can't" simply doesn't exist in your vocabulary. You actually enjoy the challenge of doing hard things.
Hard work=payoff.
You are funny. I enjoy your company so much because you are certainly one of the happiest people I know. Making faces is your specialty. Looking silly is of no consequence to you. Even though your jokes are terrible, they are accompanied by that crazy laugh of yours, and that makes everyone else fall into giggles too.
Happy, happy, happy!
You are a good friend. The same tight circle of friends has been around you since kindergarten and you've even managed to add a few more into the mix. Everyone seems to want to be around you, just like moths are drawn to the light. Your energy is so infectious that I don't doubt everyone wants a little of it to rub off on them. You are kind and loving and giving and careful with your friends. You worry about them and for them - you celebrate them and cheer them on. You have yet to be drawn into the drama that the very nature of being female can generate, and as popular as you are, I've never once seen you abuse that status. The girls your surround yourself with are just as wonderful as you are.
Smiles always.
Eliza, you are the one kid I won't encourage to "stay little", because I'm so looking forward to seeing who you will turn out to be. If the last 12 years are any indication, the world and I have a whole lot to look forward to.
I love you so much. I am so happy you are mine.
Never, ever change.
OXOXO
Mom
Eliza turns EIGHT!
Eliza turns NINE!
Eliza turns TEN!
Eliza turns ELEVEN!