The last year in single digits, I cannot believe it. You were our first and there were days that I thought you would never grow up. There were days that I thought you would never be independent. There were days I thought the fits would never stop. There were days that I thought I can't take crying anymore. Those days, those thoughts are now gone. Now I think how is it that she barely needs me anymore, how is it that she wants to go play with her friends all the time, how is it that the last 9 years have gone by this fast. You went from being my tiny little baby girl who needed me for everything, to a beautiful young girl who is starting the pulling away process. I just hope that I am ready to let go!
You are in 3rd grade this year and have Susan Lestinsky as your teacher again. You had her last year too and you absolutely love her! I worked with her before you were born and am so glad that she is your teacher. She has been great for you in many ways, she stretches you academically and has also helped you become your own person. Last year you went from being Allison to Allie, because Susan gave you the option of what you wanted to be called and you chose Allie. We had always called you Allison, but you are now Allie in almost every situation. You still love school, though you also love being home in the summer with no schedule. Some of your favorite subjects right now are art, music and science. We have also found this past year that you love reading mysteries, you are spending about an hour everyday reading right now. You are a great student and you strive for perfection in school work. As much as this is a great thing it is also a hard thing at times too. You get upset if you miss more than a few problems on a page. The tears flow and the frustration comes. I have tried in every way I know how to help you through this. You know that you aren't perfect and that no one expects you to be, but there is still that part of you that is not okay with anything less than perfection. One of reasons you love to be at school is because of your friends. All of your best friends are in your class right now, Abby C., Rebecca M., Hailey S. and a few others. You are one of those kids who has a few really good friends and that is who you spend your time with.
You have been involved in a lot of different things this past year. In the Spring you played MSA soccer and got on a great team. You have now moved with this team and are playing soccer for the Echo Academy. This experience has been great for you in that you knew none of the girls on your team and have now become friends with all of them. It has also taken you up to the next level in soccer. As always you rise to the occasion and have done great, even though you still get so nervous before your games. You also started piano lessons in January this year. You have sort of a love/hate relationship with piano. Once you know a song and can play it well you love it, but when you are learning something new and difficult you hate it. You also did ice skating, swimming lessons and girl scouts this year. This summer you went to Springhill Camp for the first time and are begging to go back. You spent 5 nights away from us, but you had your BFF, Abby, with you so all was good. You also learned how to water ski this summer. It took us quite a few tries, but you were determined and finally got up. You still dream of being a rock star or singer and you still hope to be like Miley Cyrus (we are actually going to see her in concert in November). You and I also started the talk this year about body changes and low and behold this summer I started noticing some of those changes in you, I sure hope I am ready for this :) As I look back over this past year I realize that you are no longer a little girl, you are now a beautiful young lady.
This year you have become more independent than ever, I am already starting to feel like our relationship is changing and I don't like it (but I know it is necessary). You have your own thoughts and opinions and once you have your mind made up about things you don't budge, but you also don't like to disappoint or hurt others. You are still very sensitive about things and can be in tears because someone talked to you in a certain tone or looked at you in the wrong way. You also need and want things to be fair, it frustrates you to no end when things aren't fair (we have tried to tell you that life isn't fair, but you don't want to believe us). As much as you love to be with friends and other people (I think you would be at a sleep over every night of the week if I let you) you also love to have our family together. You love and look forward to our family nights and don't like it when our family isn't all home at night. You also love to spend time with your Papa, he holds a special place in your heart. One of the things I love the most about you Allie is how big your heart is and how well you love others.
I know that when God created you that he had a plan and purpose for your life sweetheart and I cannot wait to see what it all entails. God has given you a heart that loves well and deeply and because of this I can totally see you in some sort of helping profession someday. All I know Allie is that no matter what you do or where life takes you that your dad and I will always be your biggest fans. We will always love you no matter what, I tell you all the time now and it is true, there is nothing you can do to make me stop loving you. My prayer for you sweetie is that you love God with all you have. That you trust in Him and follow Him no matter what. Always remember that He will never leave you or forsake you and that He loves you more than you know. You have asked Jesus into your heart and you love to hear stories about Him, I pray that never changes. I am so lucky that God has allowed me to be your mom. I love you Allison Lynn more than you know, I cannot imagine my life without you!
All my love,
Mom
