Six Confirmands and One Blubbering Teacher

I have been lucky enough to have taught confirmation at my church, Light of the World Lutheran, for the past three years. The past two years, I have gotten up in front of the congregation to talk about the kids being confirmed. It is one of the perks of having a small church. You really get to know the kids you are teaching. Last year we had three kids and this year we had six. I was a mess. These six kids I have known since they were in elementary school and I have watched them grow up. In many ways, I feel like a surrogate mother to them. None of them need another mother, but I hold all of them very close to my heart.

Here are my words for them on Oct. 25, 2015

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I have a nasty habit of taking possession of people. It started with my younger cousin Meghan. I was her regular babysitter growing up and eventually I claimed her as my own…My Meghan.

As time went on, I had more people to claim…

My family – Bri and the girls- they are my patient people. They see me in good times and bad.
My friends – They pick me up when I am down and let me vent when needed
My church – where I learned about the grace of God and community. My community.

These are MY confirmation people. This is a group I never thought I would consider “my people.” I gravitate towards younger children. Babies. Toddlers. First and second graders…(please pay no attention to the fact I skipped over an entire developmental age…) and for the past three years…middle schoolers.

I have always been a teacher. If you were to ask my younger sister (by 14 months) she would tell you…I just don’t know how to not be a teacher. There is always someone I can boss around. My idea of middle school kids was loud, confused, lots of attitude and, well, awkward. It turns out, I was only remembering myself as a middle schooler. These teenagers, have shown and taught me something different. These people have shown me humor, compassion, curiosity, courage and a kind of love for God that I certainly didn’t have at their age.

Let me tell you a little of what I know about each of them. I want you to know that just because I highlight a characteristic about one of them it doesn’t mean that the others don’t possess it. But, we all shine in our own special ways and these six shine very bright.


Anika – Anika’s family has been at Light of the World since the beginning…And we are Anika’s people. As her mom Shelli and I got to be good friends through the summer musical, and the friendships of our children and husbands, I was also able to form a unique friendship with Anika. Anika, you are one of the bravest 14 year olds I know. You are honest, loyal, faithful, and sarcastic (which I personally…LOVE). You stay true to your moral compass for better or for worse. I admire the courage it takes to do that. To walk that path that is not always easy. In fact, I think the road is rather bumpy, but you do it with grace and beauty. God is going to do remarkable things through you.

Sven – Got to know Sven as a 4th grader. He recommended a book to me when I was on bed rest with my third daughter, Evie, and we have bonded over books ever since. I tend to surround myself with men that are quiet thinkers and Sven is one of them. Sven, you have the ability to simply take things as they are…and although you may know there is a deeper meaning behind it, you can accept it and move on. You are inquisitive, gentle, tall, HUNGRY, helpful, bright, and funny. You bring a unique perspective when asking questions about faith. Those questions are important Sven. Keep asking them…but make sure you are inviting others into the conversation with you. You are an exceptional kid.

Ali – Ali is my kindred middle child. As middle children, we are most well rounded. Just ask us. Ali, the lessons and stories in the bible seemed to come so easy for you. As we read or did an activity, you would very quickly pick up on the theme or deeper meaning we were trying to portray. Honestly, I think you taught me more than I taught you these past 3 years. You are shy, caring, fun, talented, creative and easy-going. You listen and have compassion for those around you. As you try and make sense of the world, you have the ability to look at it through a faith shaped lens. Keep using that lens. Keep your faith close and keep listening.

Julia – Like the others, I have known Julia for a while. However, I really started noticing her when the babies at church were being passed to her instead of me. Julia, you have a nurturing soul. A gift to take care of those around you. This world needs that. You have the ability to look at all sides of an issue and seek understanding. You and I score high in the area of empathy. You love your cell phone and hope to visit France one day, but you also love to laugh, be with your family, and hug those in need of one. You lead with your big heart Julia, and that is God’s gift to you. Continue to embrace those things that make you unique.

Max – I have been lucky enough to have known Max since he was 6 years old. Max, you have an amazingly beautiful heart. Although quiet during lessons, you never shied away from showing compassion for those around you. You are sensitive, quiet, caring, loving, artistic, and welcoming. You often asked questions for understanding and I’m sorry if we were unable to answer all of them, but that tends to be what faith is…not always getting the answers. And Max, you walk and talk your faith. It is an amazing sight to see.

Kailey – this girl. If you need to talk, she’s your girl. But, Kailey, as much as you love to talk, you are also an extraordinary listener. You aren’t afraid to put your thoughts and questions out there and when you do that, when you take the risk of putting your questions out there, someone else is more comfortable because you feel how they feel. You look for understanding no matter how frustrated you may get. I am also amazed at the idea’s that pop out of your brain. You are fun-loving, social, tired, light hearted, joyful, and easy going. You are the life of the party and I see God’s love shining brightly through you.



My people. My confirmation people. My community. That is what you are to me. Believing in God is not easy. But I want you to know that He is with you, always. He never leaves your side. Be aware of His presence when life is going great, because it is difficult to notice Him when life gets tough. Try not to always look for answers or reasons, but instead, look for His hand to grab onto. He is there for you…and if you are having trouble finding his hand, look to us. These people here today. We will always be there to hold you and help you on your journey.

Baby #1 Turns 10!

Right around your 9th birthday. Fun, silly girl.

We got to go to Disney this year!

10 years old. Wow. When did that happen?

Dear Natalie,

This post is three months late. I'm sorry. I have decided to write these posts with your birthdays as a deadline and I completely failed. But, here it is. No excuses. Just an apology. Life got busy and I didn't write your letter, but I wonder if deep down I am just in denial about you growing up. I mean, look at that last picture! What happened to my little chubby baby? She is nowhere to be seen. What I do see, however, is a young woman ready to take on the world.

You continue to be an amazing big sister. Evie adores you and, most of the time, you are willing to help her with whatever she needs. Macie continues to be a great friend and partner in crime. Fourth grade was a big year for you. As parents, we are still learning how balance giving you some independence and responsibility and learning when to reign it in a little. You are working on how to solve problems yourself, especially girl drama that comes with this age. You have decided to give the trombone a try for fifth grade band. When you want to practice, I think you are quite good at it! Our friend Joel has even taught you how to play pieces of "Uptown Funk!"

You continue to draw, color, create, bike and play school. You have started to stay home alone here and there for bits of time and I think you like the house quiet and to yourself. You have been more and more interested in making your own food...quesadillas being your favorite so far. Your cousins all look up to you and you have been a great role model for them.

I love that you still want to cuddle and hold my hand, and that even though it's not going to work, you still try to delay bedtime for as long as possible. I am excited to see what this next year holds for you. It is the only year all of my girls will be in the same school together. Next year...off to middle school. Yikes. But, I will take the advice of a very wise friend and live for what is happening now. If I spend too much time thinking of the past or the future, I will miss all the wonderful that is happening now.

I love you my baby.
Happy Birthday...three months late.
Mommy

Baby #2 Turns 8!

Sassy pants ready for Easter. 

Lovely.

Here you are. 8 years old.

Dear MJ,

Yes...MJ. That is what you would prefer to be called now. This was one of those years where I went to find a picture of you at the beginning of your seventh year and had to look twice at the date. I couldn't quite believe how much you have grown and changed in just one year. It is all happening so fast. I'm pretty sure that sentence comes out in every single one of these posts, but it's true. This year has been great and you have grown and matured so much in just 365 days. I may not be ok with you growing up, but I am very proud of the person you are becoming. Here are some of the things that stick out about you over the last year...

• You got to be in a wedding. This was like a dream come true for you. Daddy's cousin, and one of your Godmothers, got married and asked you to be a flower girl on her special day. You could not wait. The hair, the dress, the accessories...and you were amazing. You took Avery, the younger flower girl, by the hand and helped her walk down the long aisle. I don't think she would have made it without you. 
• You have definitely found your voice. And, like it or not, it sounds a lot like your mothers. You are looking for different ways to make people laugh and getting better and better at your dead pan. You love to be goofy and off the wall. So much so that we have now taught you the word "obnoxious." You are practicing when to be goofy and when to tone it down and again...all of this hits a little too close to home.
• You are independent. You don't mind playing with a group of kids, but if given the choice, you would like to just focus on one person at a time. It is the same when it comes to mom or dad. You like to have us all to yourself and not share if it is at all possible. You are also the one who I can count on to have all of your ducks in a row. In the morning, I can count on you to keep track of time so that you and Natalie are ready to go and out the door on time. You get yourself ready, make your own breakfast, pack your lunch and your backpack all within an hour. I should also mention that you rarely get distracted...unlike some other people in our house that tend to.
• We found out after going to the orthodontist and getting a panoramic 3D x-ray, that you have an extra tooth hiding out in the roof of your mouth. Aunt Beth and I joked about how it was maybe your twin that you ate in the womb, so Beth named it Marcie. Of course this is not true, but you laugh along with us anyway. Some time this year, Marcie will be getting an eviction notice from your mouth. As of right now, she is not causing any problems so, she can hang out a while longer. 
• School is getting easier for you. There are less tears this year which is helped by the fact that you have another amazing teacher. She is able to give you some extra love when you are sad and distract you so that you can make it through the day. Bad days don't come as often and if Natalie stays home sick, you walk out the door on your own without tears to get on the bus. 
• We went to Disney World with Daddy's family this winter and you had a great time. We were able to meet a lot of characters and most importantly...you met Belle. She was wearing her blue dress, not the yellow fancy one, but it was one of the highlights of the trip for me. And, of course, I cried like a little baby.
• You have your own sense of style. Most mornings you find something fun and unique to wear to school, with accessories to match. You ask me more questions about what clothes go together the best and what matches what. After the wedding you were in in October, we cut 8 inches off your hair to donate, so we don't have many options for your hair. But it usually has some sort of headband or barrette to match what you have picked out for the day.

Sweet girl...you continue to amaze me and Daddy everyday. You are strong willed, funny, kind, helpful and brave. We are so proud of the choices you make everyday. We love you tremendously and are enjoying watching you become this amazing, smart little person.

Love you forever,

Mommy