An excerpt from her journal:
Anna- you have grown so much this year. You have lost 3 teeth, you got your ears pierced and decided on emerald jewels for your earrings. You learned how to read, sang in the school chorus and acted in the school play- Beauty and the Beast… you were a flower girl in the ensemble. You joined Daisys and gained many friends. You decided you didn’t need my help to pick out outfits anymore. You changed your clothes 5 times every day this past year just because clothes are your favorite. You accumulated a million little necklaces and headbands. You never skipped a night of brushing your teeth or reading bedtime stories— you like to follow a routine. You started watching Studio C BYU tv and laugh and laugh over the comedy sketches. You adore anything and everything funny and you have been known to make many a funny comment and/or joke in order to make us laugh. You comfort your brothers when they are fighting… you take care of everyone in this family. Your siblings have decided you will be a nurse when you grow up. You love friends! You especially love Nora and Millie Doud. But you’ve branched out this year and have made lots of new friends at school and church. You hate to do your homework— especially math. You showed tremendous perseverance learning how to read and we are all so proud of you! It didn’t come easy, but you’ve gotten the hang of it and are advancing quickly to the joy of your teacher and your mother. You love school and you love learning.
You started gymnastics classes and you enjoy tumbling and bars— ONCE you’re there at the gymnasium. Beforehand, you are a little nervous and not very eager to attend. You love tortellini, mac and cheese, and spaghetti. You love little mandarin oranges in the cups, you love yogurt with oreos on top. You love twix bars and all fruit is your very favorite food. You sleep well and eat well. You are happy and love to sing and dance. You are very messy and absolutely hate to clean your room. You always talk your brothers into helping you out in this department. You love to wear at least 2 coats to school. You always pack a couple of stuffys (stuffed animals) in your backpack every day even though it’s against the rules to have toys at school. You sleep with about 4500 stuffys in your bed and they come with you to the table every morning to eat breakfast. They also come with you in the car to drop siblings off at sporting events and theatre rehearsal.
You love to watch musical theatre with Evelyn and I. You love to watch soccer games if the weather is cooperating and it’s not too hot or too cold. You love to spend time with your Dad. You love to watch whatever movie the rest of us want to watch and you never throw a fit about watching a movie that is better suited for your age. Your Mom feels badly that you’ve seen one too many PG13 movies with your eyes covered for the inappropriate parts— this because everyone else wanted to watch it! You are a good sport and a flexible thinker. You rarely become angry. You love spending time with your Grandma and your Grammy. You love your cousins and adore all babies. You love to swim, hike, swing, tumble, pet dogs, play house, play school, and go shopping with Mom. You talk your way into at least one little purchase every time we enter any type of store. You are very into your allowance and love Sundays when you get paid. You are getting better and better at doing chores! Anna- you are absolutely adorable and I couldn’t love you more or think more highly of you. I believe you will do amazing things with your life and be a light to so many. You already are a light to me. Love you sweetie.
