Ode to Maddux

Here we are again. July 3rd. Lucky #7

This last year has found you rocking 1st grade, having a blast on swim team (your last time in the 6U division), losing your first few teeth, doing more photo shoots for Mommy's practice, mountain biking and hiking, and continuing to be that sunshine in everyone's day.

Swim Swim Swim...you love to swim! You've got such a talent for it, too. This season you swam with the 7-8's for practice even though you had to compete with the 6U group. A few times the coaches did need you to swim up for a relay and you always rose to the challenge. Because you were such a strong swimmer this season, you qualified for county also. And at county, you did really well in both events, earning a 7th place in the 25backstroke and 10th in the 25 freestyle (the best showing of anyone on the team under 10 years old!).

Unfortunately we did have lice for the first time this year. Eli's class (and pretty much the whole school!) became quite full of it just before Halloween. He brought home one bug that may or may not have spread to you. We combed through your hair so many times I thought every piece would fall out of your head! As usual, you were a rockstar through it all, never complaining about the many many MANY times Mommy made you get a comb-through last fall.

In the last year we have seen your faith become stronger; you make comments in your everyday life that indicate what Jesus means to you. This makes your dad and I so happy, Maddux. You are the hands and feet of Jesus to so many people around you, even without you realizing it. You make and leave friends and family nice notes, you help kids who need a friend or assistance, you think of little gifts to give friends when they come to visit you...
One of my favorite things about this last year has been the "Between You and Me" journal you and I have started keeping. I love learning new things about you, Maddux. I hope that we keep a journal like this forever!

Your awesome fashion sense hasn't wavered at all; you are still mixing colors and matching patterns that no one else would have put together, and it always turns out fabulous. Whenever I put a good outfit together for Ruby and someone compliments me on it, I give you the credit because you have taught me how to dress. Pair that with your awesome goofy-ness, and you are the person that makes everyone else smile. You are beautiful, inside and out, Maddux!

You love the outdoors. This last year you started building a little 'house' in our side yard with your dad. If you're not working on that, or playing in the creek, you're climbing the trees in our cul-de-sac, or reading in the grass. I love that you love being outside!

Obviously the biggest event for you in the last year was becoming a big sister. And what a big sister you are! You are the first one in line to pick out Ruby's clothes, change her diaper, entertain her, feed her... Whatever she needs, you are more than willing to provide. I cannot begin to tell you how amazed I am by your innate ability to care for and about Ruby. You are the best big sister God could have picked out for her!

At the end of the summer you will attend your first all-day camp at Winshape. I can't wrap my brain around you being old enough to do that! We've already talked about second grade and all of the other big things that take place when you are seven.

We're not ready, Maddux. Please stop getting bigger!