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.
