Happy 15th birthday, Levi!

The very best young man turns 15 today! We are the luckiest family to have Levi be a part of it. In his 15th year, he has become the tallest member of our family, been a rock and encouragement to his sisters, thrived in a very new experience, and become more of a Godly man. Whenever it is just me and the kids together, Levi is called on to kill spiders, go on ladders to change lightbulbs, and check gopher traps. He is brave and strong and truly enjoys serving and helping. He is a leader for younger kids and enjoys teaching them as well as goofing around with them. His peers know him to be hard working, funny, kind and respectful. Moving to a new state, Levi gets to demonstrate his respect and integrity and drive to an entirely new staff and student population at high school and he has done so without hesitation. He is mature and funny and thrives when he is around other people. He fit right in with Erika's friends at college on the few visits we took to see her. Levi is a perfectionist who gets discouraged when school work doesn't come naturally or quickly but he knows how to slow down and figure out what to do or ask for the help he needs. He knows when he should be alone to regroup. He is reflective and forgiving if he clashes with us....he knows what is right and always wants to acknowledge when emotions overtake his brain. He sees his future clearly and boldly yet also understands that details may change and he is totally fine with that! Levi loves bacon burgers, PS5, sweatshirts, fishing, Raising Canes, getting his chores done before doing anything fun, popcorn, nutcrackers, flannel pajama pants, Modern Family, and being outside. He doesn't like changing the radio station when it goes to commercial, pants that are too short, steak, multi-tasking, being told to slow down on a curve while driving, too much homework, peers who are phony or self-seeking, or humidity. Levi is humble and kind and friendly and smart and helpful and a blessing to anyone he is around. He does not seek the spotlight but deserves it. He is faithful and quietly learns how to be a man of God through observation and daily Bible readings. Levi is a joy and we thank God every day for him!

1. What is your favorite color? Green 

2. What is your favorite sport? Track 

3. What is your favorite fruit? Grapes 

4. What is your favorite movie? Red Notice 

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Sandwich 

6. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Bubble Gum 

7. What is your favorite subject in school? Teen Topics 

8. What is your favorite snack? Popcorn 

9. What is your favorite animal? Fish 

10. What is your favorite song? Prodigal by Josiah Queen 

11. What is your favorite book? The Inheritance Games 

12. Who is your best friend? Boston 

13. What is your favorite cereal? Fruity Pebbles 

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Swim 

15. What is your favorite drink? Sprite 

16. What is your favorite holiday? Halloween 

17. What is your favorite restaurant? Buffalo Wild Wings 

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? French Toast 

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Hot Wings 

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Chaplain

Happy 18th Birthday Erika!

 Our first baby is now an adult! Erika has been a blessing her entire childhood and I know she will continue to bless this world as a grown up. It is very odd to think any time at all has passed from that day that Matt broke a sweat anxiously getting Erika safely in her car seat for the hospital ride home to her 18th birthday. We are proud of who Erika is and who she will continue to grow and develop to be. Erika is a delight to everyone around her, a fantastic older sister, a great example to younger kids, a patient and kind teacher, a faithful friend, and a servant of Christ. Her heart is pure and goodness pours out of her. She is stubborn enough to keep parenting interesting. One of her best qualities is to evaluate herself or her reactions and use them to become better. This year had a lot of introductions to adult-sized feelings and scenarios and reactions and decisions and she handled them beautifully. Even if she is disappointed with the consequence of how she handled or spoke, she is willing to talk through what went wrong and make a plan on how to handle future choices to where she won't be frustrated or regretful. She has solidified her decision to become a teacher as a career and it is a profession that was made with her in mind! She adores kids and has the patience and strength and enthusiasm and desire to make each child she interacts with feel appreciated and respected and loved. Erika is ready to be on her own and looking forward to it! But she loves her family and desires the support and safety we bring to her. She has her future in her sights and it includes living right next door to her sister....which was my dream for them as well! Erika loves country music, shrimp, driving with the windows down, listening to her music loudly, Airhead sour strips, new clothes, silver jewelry, sweet tea, applesauce, and Camp Yamhill. She doesn't like eating anything other than cereal for breakfast, charging her phone, melted cheese, hanging up her clothes, speaking quietly, telling short stories, people touching her hair, or mayonnaise on a sandwich. If you know Erika, you are so very blessed! We have had 18 years with this beautiful, talented, amazing, devoted, kind, sincere, boisterous, God-fearing, intelligent, funny young woman. We are so thankful that God placed her with us and look forward to being with her as she continues to mature and grow and become her own. We love you more than words can ever express Baby Boo!!

1. What is your favorite color? Teal
2. What is your favorite sport? Soccer
3. What is your favorite fruit? Raspberries
4. What is your favorite movie? Tangled
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Mac and cheese
6. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Birthday cake
7. What is your favorite subject in school? History
8. What is your favorite snack? Poppyseed muffins
9. What is your favorite animal? Dog
10. What is your favorite song? Where the Green Grass Grows
11. What is your favorite book? The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
12. Who is your best friend? Kennedy, Emma and Sophie
13. What is your favorite cereal? Fruity Pebbles
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Ride 4-wheelers and hike
15. What is your favorite drink? Sweet tea
16. What is your favorite holiday? 4th of July
17. What is your favorite restaurant? Jem 100
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Cereal
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Spaghetti and shrimp
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? 1st grade teacher