Happy Birthday Laurel!

Our beautiful Laurel is 15 years old! Laurel is the easiest child when it's a good day and the most difficult child when it isn't. Luckily for us, most days are good days! We tease her all the time about not really knowing the family plan but absolutely determined to join in the plan and have fun. She has a habit of listening when she finds it interesting but can completely tune out whatever is going on around her when it doesn't pertain to or interest her. Laurel has consistently received comments from her teachers on what a great example and friend she is to everyone in her class. At the last teacher conference, her math teacher told us that he is so impressed by her willingness to help her fellow classmates with their work and also encouraging them to be respectful to him as he teaches. Laurel is, and always has been, this quiet force that attracts so many people to her. She knows her mind and her values and her passions and her beliefs and is not persuaded to go against any of them. She is as stubborn as the day is long and I have learned to just let some things go because if she is not in a mood to receive critique or help, it is going to be a long battle that I probably won't win. The best attribute of Laurel is that with time to self-reflect, she can see how to improve her attitude and the way she reacts. Laurel is kind and thoughtful and compassionate and puts others above herself. Especially with younger ones at church and elderly ones at church or within our family, she abandons the fun her peers may be having to take time to slowly help, walk with, or talk to the other generations she interacts with. She loves soccer, hamburgers, swimming, absolutes, her family, ducks, fuzzy socks, chocolate milk, fidgets, burned broccoli, helping with the kids ministry at church, Edgar, and watching shows. She doesn't like too much talking, waking up early, cake, being alone, folding laundry, riddles, pasta, nightmares, loud football games, studying, blood, or being cold. The first few months of high school brought with it some growing pains of social situations and acceptance. Laurel handled it with such grace and humility and really showed others how God would want her to deal with her new situations. We are proud of her and love her and every day we can learn from our teenage daughter a little more of Christ's love. Laurel is determined and knows what is right and wrong and doesn't really like to have deep discussions about gray areas. Her heart is pure and forgiving. We are blessed to watch her continue to grow and deepen the Godly characteristics she already has while strengthening the ones that she is still developing. What a joy and honor to be her parents. We love you so much, Laurely-Lou!

 1. What is your favorite color? Pink
2. What is your favorite sport? Soccer
3. What is your favorite fruit? Apple
4. What is your favorite movie? Just Go With It
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Cheese quesadilla
6. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Cookies and cream
7. What is your favorite subject in school? Math
8. What is your favorite snack? Tostitos cheese and tortilla chips
9. What is your favorite animal? Duck
10. What is your favorite song? Build A Boat
11. What is your favorite book? The Selection
12. Who is your best friend? Erika and Paisley
13. What is your favorite cereal? Captain Crunch
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play badminton
15. What is your favorite drink? Chocolate milk
16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas
17. What is your favorite restaurant? McMennamins
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Swedish pancakes
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Hamburgers and milk shake
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Physical therapist