Ten-tastic!!

 Oh, Colin. You are ten now. A full set of fingers on both hands. Your first foray into double digits.

You have handled this year with steadfastness and grit. You challenged yourself with new interests, stepping greatly outside your comfort zone.

This year, you tackled Invention Convention and amazed us with the time, precision and dedication that you and your team invested into your invention. It was inspiring to see just what the next generation can achieve. 

 You showed your leadership skills, both in not getting a much-wanted position at school and by working hard and not giving up when you wanted to achieve the next leadership position that you applied for.

You ended your elementary years in a midst of a global pandemic. You had to ride in a car to be clapped out, instead of walking the halls one last time.

You met your new normal of virtual schooling at home with quiet acceptance. Every morning, you would wake up, get dressed, do your hair, work out with PE with Joe and then tackle your daily school work without complaint (well, 95% of the time without complaint!)

 You are funny and silly and we love to spend time with you.

 You have discovered a great love of reading and have been devouring books left and right. We can barely keep up with your supply demand!

You are kind to those around and you look out for others. Now, extend that kindness to your sisters, please!

You are brave and will try new things. You even jumped off a cliff this summer, even though it was scary and new.

You still love soccer above all things, even when you can't really play.

You never complain about working in your 6'x6' grid, even though I know you are anxious for competition. You just put in the work. I know that skill will serve you well in life.

 You are going to venture into a new school, though we are not sure what exactly that will look like.

I know that, regardless, you will try your best.

 We are proud of you, Colin.

I know that one day your stubborn determination will serve you well, even when that same determination tests my own limits.

Happy 10th Birthday, my love.

I can't wait to see what is in store for you in the coming year.

We love you so!

Twelve-tastic

My baby is 12 today. One year shy of teenage hood.

  Jack is outgoing and loud.

He loves to be with his friends, on the go, involved in everything.

I can't get him to take a nice serious picture and he enjoys harassing his old mom like that.

He is a great big brother, and even if he won't admit it, loves to be around his siblings.

Jack is creative and enjoys collaborating.

He is our little night owl, who loves to stay up late, watch movies and sleep in late.

We are so proud of you and look forward to seeing you tackle middle school this year. 

Jack loves to be involved in all things, soccer, basketball, DI and more. This year, he is taking a cooking class in school and he is looking forward to that!

We love you, our funny, silly son. You keep our lives interesting and full of laughter!

Keep befriending those around you, no matter who they are. Keep sticking up for those who are picked on. Keep voicing your thoughts and feelings. Keep the Lord in your heart and continue to remain sensitive.

Happy Birthday, Jack.

We love you so!

Fabulous Four!

Today our sweet Maggie girl turns four! She is an absolute light in our lives.

She is very detailed oriented. She notices the smallest of things and likes to have everything placed just so.

She loves to snuggle up. She is no longer napping, but sometimes just can't make it through the day.

She loves to dance and sing. Maggie and Macy often sing and dance all around the house. 

Maggie loves school. She loves her teachers and her friends. She is definitely missing school during the quarantine, but likes her Zoom meetings.

Maggie is up for anything and is the best youngest sibling. She just goes with the flow.

She insists on being a "big girl" now and is no longer a baby. Her words, not mine. (She will always be my baby. Sorry, Mags)

She has discovered movies and actually watches them now. She loves loves both the Frozen movies and loves to sing along.

 Maggie is silly and funny and likes to make jokes with her siblings.

Her very favorite playmate is her sister. Their bond is very close and they truly enjoy each other. She misses Macy when she is not with her and will go to Macy for comfort if she is hurt. 

She is a gift to our family. I am so glad that she let Macy experience sisterhood.

Maggie's speech is improving every day and she has a LOT to say.

She had no problem letting you know if something is not correct, but she is quick with a sorry.

She loves her brothers and wants to be with them. Their patience with Maggie is much bigger than for each other, and she thrives around her siblings.

We love our life with you and can't imagine a world with out our Maggie Li Ya.

We are so proud of who you are, where you have come from and are so excited to see where you will go in life.

Happiest 4th Birthday, Margaret Li Ya Fedell.

You make us laugh every day.

You are so loving and caring.

We are so proud you are our daughter.

Even though we can't have a big birthday with all your friends due to the quarantine,

we will celebrate you forever.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

 We love you so much.

Sweetest Six!

My girl is 6 today.

In some ways, she seems like she is so much older and yet, I remember the first time I looked at my sweet little Eskimo baby with all that pitch black hair and those squishy little cheeks.

She stole our heart the moment she arrived and has had it ever since.

Macy is kind and funny. She cares deeply for her friends and her family.

Macy is artistic and loves to paint, color and create. She loves music and dancing and her very favorite thing to do right now is play with her Barbies.

She spends hours playing and creating with her Barbies.

Macy just started Kindergarten and is cautiously optimistic about it. Macy is not a fan of change or the unknown, so this new Kindergarten venture has stretched her and she has answered admirably.

Macy loves nature and the outdoors and this year, she and her Daddy made their first garden. Little did they know that those cute little cherry tomato plants would grown to be 10 ft tall and take over the whole backyard!

 Macy loves her family and is the best big sister ever! She likes to get in her brothers way and knows how to get them upset, but she loves them dearly as well! She spends hours on the soccer field watching her brothers and rarely complains. She really is a fantastic soccer sister.

 

 We love our beautiful, sweet girl and we are so glad that she is ours.

Happy 6th Birthday, Macy Elizabeth. We pray that you grow in confidence this year and know how truly valued and loved you are. We love everything about you. Now...stop growing so fast!!