Sweet Sixteen for my BABY

 Still struggling to believe that my youngest, my baby, is sixteen today. 

This year has been a good one (at least from mom's pov) for Liv. She started her sophomore year at Timberline in the fall (first year in "high school" for our school district). Her marching band practices started in August, so she kept busy. For marching season, she played the baritone saxophone. Not only did she do marching band, she also plays in the concert and wind symphonic bands. She couldn't possibly play the same instrument in wind symphonic, so she plays the bassoon for that. 

To say she is musically inclined is an under-statement!

This winter, she and Natalie both joined Winter Guard. I love watching them perform, but she's not sure she will go out for it next year (I can still hope, right?!) 

Liv is already planning for her future and would love to be a band teacher. 

Some other things Liv loves (in no particular order): 

• vinyl records 
• guinea pigs 
• her cat, Nala 
• hanging out with her friends 

Pictures to come! 

Sweet Livvie Love, you will always be my baby. I have so loved watching you grow this year, into the amazing woman you are going to be. I love seeing you so passionate about things like band and school. The next two years are going to be so fun and so full of memories for you. Know that I'm always in your corner! I love you to the moon and back! Keep being your amazing self. May blessings follow you the next year and God's hand of protection be on you. xoxo Mom

Liv's 15th

 It has been an amazing, life changing, person growing year for Liv. She made the decision to join Color Guard last spring and jumped in full swing in the fall. Since she is doing her final year at the junior high this year, she gets a "bonus" year this year. On top of Color Guard she also participated in Jazz band this year, so we've been doing a lot of running her around. Her and Natalie both joined up the Winter Guard this season. That wrapped up this weekend but they both had so much fun! Liv truly found her tribe this year. I'm feeling much more comfortable with her and Natalie both being at Timberline full time next year. They both have friends from the team now and I think that is huge. Covid was hard for these two, missing out on a lot of the "normal" things kids get to do, but they seem to be making up for it now. 

This year Liv has also added to her musical abilities. On top of the alto saxophone, keyboard and guitar she could already play, she is learning both the baritone saxophone and the bassoon at school and teaching herself the flute and clarinet at home (with an assist from her sisters). Right now her plan is to attend a college with a good music program and wants to be a music teacher when she grows up. 

Her plans for high school are all planned out (and quite impressive to this mom!) I love what a wonderful person she is turning into. I've had a few teachers reach out and tell me how much they love having her in class. She's a good student and good friend and most of all, she's an amazing person. 

I love you Livvie-Loo - hope this next year is your best one ever! 

March 2024: Liv and Autie Lease 

March 2024 - with her baritone sax case, after 
Junior High Jazz night 

March 2024 - At the Albany Historic Carousel 

March 2024 - Admiring her newest cousin, Riley

March 2024 - Mandatory picture of her and the baby 

March 2024 - at one of her Winter Guard performances  

February 2024 - heading to a Winter Guard performance

February 2024 - Winter Guard friends 

December 2023 - Rockin her new sweater from Aunt Sissy

December 2023 - after her choir concert with Kenz

October 2023 - finding "her" crew 
color guard team heading to D3 competition

September 2023 - football game marching band and
color guard performance 

September 2023 after a marching band/color
guard performance

August 2023 - her first day of school outfit 

July 2023 - summer visit to the Botanical Garden

July 2023 - sparkler fun in her "dad shirt" 

July 2023 - hanging out with Pippen

June 2023 - girls in the hot tub 

June 2023 - with her piggies

Liv is 14

 

This was last year, in April 

June 2022 

August 2022 

First day of 8th grade- 2022 

Kauai - August 2022 

October 2022 

Liv and Maverick - October 2022 

Band concert shenanigans - December 2022 

That time we found Geoffry in Macy's - January 2023

That time Maverick ate Liv's hall passes - February 2023

Liv and grandma Eve's chinchilla - March 2023

Taken 4/6 at her latest Jazz band festival

Liv is growing into such an amazing person. Time and time again they show me what an amazing person they are. (Reminder, Liv uses they/them pronouns, so I'm not using improper English, this is just the way they prefer to be addressed). When we were visiting my family back in Oregon, Liv spent all our time at the house with their cousin Rosie. Liv went above and beyond making sure that Rose felt comfortable and included with us there. I just loved that about Liv. 

This year has been all about jazz band. The East Junior high jazz band has been to two festivals and at both were recognized as top in not only their grade bracket but for the whole festival (including both junior and high schools.) This past week they were asked to perform in the evening spotlight, one of just four bands performing out of 30+ that attended. I am so very proud of the work and time that Liv has put into jazz band and the love they have for the music. Just sit down and have a conversation with them, Liv will talk your ear off all about it! 

Another thing they will talk all about is their plans for the next years at school. They have just one more year left at East, though it is technically their freshman year of high school. Already, they have plans for two summer school classes so that they will be able to take all the electives that they want to be able to next year. In fact, I'm pretty sure Liv has all their classes planned out for the rest of their high school career. I'm so very proud of Liv! 

Anyway, enough bragging on the kid. Today, they turn 14. My baby. I am still in disbelief over here... 

The Dog Ate My...

 hall passes? 

We've all heard the excuse "my dog ate my homework" but last night, we caught Maverick eating Liv's hall passes for one of her classes. The "big deal" about this was that if she kept them all semester, she would get an ice cream sundae! Hopefully half eaten ones still count! 

He doesn't look all that guilty does he? At least he's cute!

Wordless Wednesday

 

Wordless Wednesday

Sweet Liv is playing volleyball for the first year. She is #23 in these pictures. Check out that game face. I am so proud of that determination! These are pictures from their game Monday at Les Bois junior high. 

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

My sweet Livvie-Loo - August 2022

Thankful Tuesday

Tuesday is the day we say thanks. 

The more we express our gratitude, the more grateful we become.

1. I am thankful for a fun birthday with Alivia. I had to spend the morning working, but after work Stephen and I were able to take her to lunch at Pizza Pie Café and then to Barnes and Noble. I love that this kid is as into reading as I am. 

Picture with the birthday girl

Her monster from Pizza Pie Café 

Digging in! 

2. I am thankful for the surprise we got on Sunday morning. Though I am not happy with the SNOW in April, we do need the moisture around here.

3. I am thankful that Jinx is starting to get used to us being around and being around us. He is wanting to spend more time sitting with me on the couch. 

4. I am thankful that Stephen is feeling more balanced. While I don't love that it requires inpatient care, I appreciate that he can recognize that he needs a higher level of care then we can give at home. 

5. I am thankful for soup. This weather has been back into winter weather foods. =) 

The Last to be a Teenager

Today, my youngest turns 13. That means I have only teenagers in the house! 

Before we get to the pictures, let me tell you a little bit about Liv. 

1. Liv now uses "they-them" pronouns. This has made me a lot more aware of the way I use my pronouns and the importance of normalizing people stating their preferred pronouns. 
2. Liv still loves doing "fuse beads" to make AMAZING creations! (that I have no pictures of 😟)
3. Liv's favorites still include Anime (Japanese animated tv shows/movies) and Manga (Japanese comic style books)
4. Liv has been working hard at her art and is getting much better with her drawing and painting. 
5. Liv can talk your ear off, given half a chance 
6. Liv got her first BROTHER this year and didn't hold him at all for the first two months. 

Let me recap you on the past year. Warning: picture overload! 

March 29 - Liv at school with her friends
The on in the back said to "crop me out" This was her solution. 

March 24 - Check out how good she's getting with the eyeliner! 

March 16 - This picture so perfectly shows you Liv's style. 

March 16 - "selfie" she took for me of us at Ms. Galaviez's 
campaign launch party

March 5 - Cosplaying Emma from
The Promised Neverland

February 27 - getting used to holding her brother

January 11 - Holding Asher for the first time

December 27 - Finding out aunt Sissy is ENGAGED!

December 23 - Christmas picture!

December 4 - we went to a funeral (he was Santa for several
years so it was Santa "themed") 

Nov 13 - letting Jinx do their hair

October 27 - cosplaying again, this time 
Sayori from Doki Doki Literature Club

September 24 - Hanging with the dogs

August 16 - First day of seventh grade

August 11 - at camp

July 24, not amused with me taking pictures 

July 22 - at Tabi's house, the most comfy outdoor seating

July 6 - with Maverick checking out what's going on outside

Mother's day 2021

April 14 - one of her favorite hoodies

April 8, 2021 - another one of her favorite shirts

Livvie-Love,

I am so glad that God picked me to be your mommy. I cannot imagine the last 13+ years of my life without you. 

You are constantly making me laugh! Whether that be with a funny story from school, or a "stupid dad joke" that you had to share with me. Never stop telling jokes or funny stories, no matter what anyone tells you. 

While your kind heart might hurt often, don't let it get hardened by this world. You are so trusting and so wonderful to your friends. 

You are growing so fast, and before I know it, you will be an adult making all your own choices. Thank you for being such an easy going kid. You for sure have your moments, but most of the time you just roll with it. That will help you so much in your life. 

I love you so much! Keep being your best you, 

Love, Mom

A trip down memory lane if you want. 

12th birthday

11th birthday and another (?)

10th birthday

9th birthday

8th birthday 

7th birthday 

6th birthday 

5th birthday and another 

4th birthday 

Missed two :( 

1st birthday

Birth