Thursday, February 23, 2012

Madi turns 14!

It’s a question asked by so many parents, I know, but seriously – where has the time gone?! Wasn’t it just yesterday that we were celebrating Mad’s 13th birthday and wondering what the teenage years would bring? And now, in what seems to be the blink of an eye, she is 14! It just ain’t right!

I have to say, proudly and with all honesty, that Madi sailed through her first year as a teenager! She has really grown in so many ways in the past year and it has been truly exciting to watch. She surprises us with her courage; like trying new sports such as Cross Country & Track, and with her ability to stay positive and fun-loving as she goes through her days. She’s an absolute joy and we are blessed by her ever shining light in our lives!

So, where did the last year go? Here are some Madi-highlights from the past year...


Snoozin' Sisters - March 2011


A sketchy bridge crossing at Miller Springs Park
March 2011

Breaststroke at her first long course indoor meet at UT
April 2011


Johnny-Dad's retirement celebration - April 2011


Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center with Dad - April 2011


Spring Swim in Nana and Papa's Pool - April 2011


Watching (sort of) her first scary movie with help from piggy pillow pet.
May 2011


Feeding Willie the Canada Goose with Cammie - May 2011


Madi and Dad at the last choir concert of the seventh grade school year.
May 2011


Madi and Mommy at the last choir concert of the seventh grade school year.
May 2011.


It is well known that people and their pets begin to look alike after a while. Here's proof.  May 2011


Saving a little bee from drowning in the pool - June 2011


Fort Hood outdoor swim meet, breaststroke...


And butterfly - June 2011

Madi and Mommy one Sunday afternoon in June of 2011


Goofball in goggles - swim meet in July 2011


At Stillhouse Hollow Lake - July 2011


On Stillhouse Hollow Lake tubing with her Aunt Melanie 
 July 2011


Family photo with Nana, Papa, Mimi, Jimmy & Jason
July 2011


With cousin, Mimi - July 2011


Fun with her cousins in the summertime!
July 2011


Our family - July 2011


Outside Cracker Barrel with her cousins - July 2011


being a dork (and we say that lovingly) in Hobby Lobby.
July 2011 (yes, they already had Christmas stuff out in JULY!)

Galveston, TX trip - Aug. 2011


Schlitterbahnnin' it up with Papa and cousin Jason in Galveston, TX
Aug. 2011


Because we love this picture - Aug. 2011


After her "new do" before starting 8th Grade - Aug. 2011


Another favorite photo of ours - Aug. 2011


1st day of 8th grade!  Aug. 21, 2011


1st Day of 8th grade - Aug. 21, 2011


1st week of 8th grade down! Aug. 2011


Road trip to Red River, New Mexico with best bud, Carly.
Sept. 1, 2011


Taking pictures of the Mountains in New Mexico
Sept. 2, 2011


Dinner at Timbers in Red River, New Mexico.
Sept. 2011


Horseback in Red River, New Mexico - Sept. 2011


Getting ready to go rafting on the Rio Grande (in the background) in Taos, New Mexico
Sept. 2011


Just before some rafting F-U-N on the Rio Grande in Taos, New Mexico
Sept. 2011


Hiking the mountains in Red River, NM -Sept. 2011

Cross Country Season begins and Madi survives her first ever Cross Country Meet
 Sept. 2011


Relaxing with her proud Johnny-Dad after a her 2nd Cross Country meet
Sept. 2011


Cousin Jackson thinks Madi is getting tall too!
Sept. 2011


1st dance of the 8th grade school year.
Sept. 30, 2011


Shooting some hoops with her old man as Bella guards from atop a picnic table
Sept. 2011


On the course against stiff competition! Oct. 1, 2011


Madi demonstrating, for Jason, how the coaches "yell" at her and her cross country teammates.
After the Oct. 1, 2011 meet.
1st Choir Concert of the 8th grade school year.
Oct. 11, 2011



Finishing strong during the last track meet of the year. 
Oct. 12, 2011



Madi's proud family after her last track meet.
Copperas Cove, Texas - Oct. 12, 2011


Roasting marshmallows (for the first time ever!) with JD.
Oct. 2011



Handing out halloween candy with Johnny Dad (ghost) and Max (Batman)
Halloween 2011



Trail running with her family
Nov. 3, 2011



Sisters in snuggies (yep, we bought a snuggie for the dog)
Nov. 5, 2011



I love having my picture taken -
Madi with her pal, Sammy on Thanksgiving Day
Nov. 2011


It must be passed bed-time for Madi and Cassie (and Tex in the bottom right corner)
Nov. 2011



Ready for the parade to begin the Gathering of the Clans in Salado, Texas
Nov. 2011


A good way to stay warm during long swim meets.
Just after a swim meet on Dec. 3, 2011

Christmas Choir Concert - Dec. 2011



Just after the Christmas concert - Dec. 2011


Wearing a crazy outfit complied of things she got for Christmas.
Christmas day - 2011



All Smiles with Dad - Christmas Eve 2011



Madi with her Papa, Nana and Jason - Christmas 2011



Madi and Jason - Christmas Eve 2011



Madi and "friends"; Margret, Fred, Will and Greg. :)
Dec. 31, 2011 



Self portrait - Jan. 1, 2012



Fort Hood Swim Meet - Jan. 2012



In deep thought with her Dad. 
Hiking at Mother Neff - Jan. 12, 2012



Beautiful girl - Jan 2012



Helping her Mom with Valentines Day Cookies
Feb. 13, 2012



Valentines Day morning, before school.
Feb. 14,  2012



Make a wish!  Madi on her 14th Birthday - Feb. 23, 2012!



Heading to Jumpstreet (a trampoline park) in Austin friends, Mariah, Cheyanne and Taylor on her 14th Birthday!


A message to Madi -
It seems like this past year we have watched you grow from a girl into a young woman. You have suddenly gotten taller and can now wear the same size jeans as your Mom when just last year, I could swear we were buying everything from the kids department! Not to mention the fact that every week there's seems to be a new adult standing next to you saying, "I can't believe she's taller than me!"

We couldn't be more proud of how you've grown and all of the changes but, we're just as proud of so many of the ways that you've stayed the same. You are still so caring and kind to others, so focused on their happiness even at the expense of your own. You love everyone around you and bring out the very best in them!

It seems that as you get older, there's no way to avoid finding yourself in new situations and you have really embraced new challenges and experiences in the past year. You're growing up so fast now and even though boys are still mostly a rumor in your social life, the time is coming when they will be taking up more and more of your time and attention. For now, we are soo happy for you to focus on enjoying your friendships and letting yourself have a chance to grow up. Stayin' drama free! We know that in a few years we'll look back and laugh at your obsession with the "Hunger Games" and that will seem like something silly and childish to you but, your Mom and I truly cherish all of your interests and the chance to watch you grow and change each day.

Madi,  we hope you know how special you are to us and that you never doubt the love we have for you. The most precious and most beautiful blessing in our lives is and will always be YOU! Happy 14th Birthday, sweet Madi! We love you so very much.


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