We officially have a teenager in the house! It is hard to believe that Ashton Kim has gone from this cute baby girl to this beautiful teenager in just the blink of an eye! There is something so special about your first born...the child who made me a mother...the child that you "experiment" with and never quite feel like you know what you are doing. I love her so much for her patience with me and kind heart.
She was so excited for her 13th birthday, as she is every year! We started bright and early with some doughnuts and chocolate milk from Dad.
Then it was off to get a haircut and go shopping.
Next up, we met her friends at Olive Garden for a late lunch. Tod and the kids also came (minus baby Luke). We let Ashton and her friends sit at one end of the table, while the family congregated on the other end. There was a lot of talking, laughing and eating. It was a good thing we were almost alone in the restaurant, because we were loud!! After our meal, the girls decided they wanted to walk back to the house. I was happy to oblige since it gave me a bit more time to get everything ready.
Then it was time for presents and cupcakes.
Luckily, it was a beautiful day, so the girls just hung around outside jumping on the tramp, playing soccer and just having fun. They are a really energetic bunch...and they certainly kept us all entertained. This teenage age world is new to me...and it is a strange, yet wonderful place!!
What I love about Ashton's friends is how unique they all are...they are definitely all their own people and they have really quirky, fun personalities. It is really refreshing and fun to be around them, and I am so thankful that Ashton has them in her life. It was a really great evening spent together.
Things about Ashton at age 13:
- Ashton has such a kind and generous heart. She really loves deeply and feels deeply for others.
- She still loves soccer. This year, she finally found a great team (the Blitz) and has really enjoyed learning more about the game. She also really enjoyed her Dads Club soccer season with her school team.
-Ashton has a special gift for playing with children. Her siblings love her because she comes up with the best imaginative, entertaining things to play. I do not know what they would do without her on Sundays. I love how she can still come up with elaborate play scenarios for them. She is going to be a great mom.
-She still loves animals.
-Ashton has always been a great writer, but this year she found real joy in her writing. I am amazed and blown away at her ability to write poetry, stories, articles, etc. She has started saying that she hopes this can become a career for her.
-She has continued to really excel on her violin. She founds great fulfillment in her music and practices very hard. She also loved choir this year.
- Ashton loves all things Minions. Her friends gave her lots of Minion things, and we gave her Minion sheets for her bed.
-Ashton is really, really smart, and she does so well in school. She takes responsibility and works really hard. She had lots of really big projects this year, and she did so well.
-She has done really well at middle school and has made us so proud. It is hard to attend a school where very few people share the same values and goals as you, and yet she has held her head high and remained committed to who she is and her beliefs. I marvel at her strength.
- I have seen her spiritual side really grow this year. She and I have had lots of deep conversations about personal beliefs and the blessings of the Gospel. She reads her scriptures diligently and honestly strives to learn the teachings of the Gospel.
I love this girl so much. When I look at her, I see goodness and light. She and I have had our ups and downs this year...we are both stubborn and do not like to bend. And we have gone head to head on a few things. But at the end of day, I know that she loves me, and I love her. She is always quick to express her gratitude and love.
Happy 13th Birthday Ashton Lu! We love you!
