Annie, age 13

We have another teenager! Annie has filled our house this year with music, dancing, laughter, baked goods, and the exact right amount of spunky sass. She has the longest skincare routine of anyone I know, so she doesn't look a day over 12! That's not really true, now that she's taller than both Nellie and me, she's often mistaken for the older sister.

Annie is still her sweet and gentle self, but she's got a lot of tenacity that she brings to the stage, basketball court, softball field, and cross country trails! She visits my office every day at lunch (and occasionally between classes) to say 'hi' and update me on her day. She's a good friend, sister, and daughter and we love her to pieces! I think being a teenager will suit Annie quite well.

Sporting her new birthday Crocs in the morning sunshine

Trying out the new AirPods

She got to go to theater camp on her birthday! 

She made it on the sign!

What is your favorite memory from the last year?
Probably going to Mackinac Island! We should go again... I don't know, there's so much good stuff. It's been a good year!

What is one way God's been working in your life this year?
He just gave me a really good year. I've been able to grow into myself more, be more confident in myself. I also have kind of loving people around me. He put me in a good environment.

How do you feel about being thirteen?
Kind of the same. I definitely feel older, more responsible. Like I've started a new era. I don't feel like I can do new things or have more responsibilities, but I can be more responsible and I'll be in eighth grade, so maybe people will trust me more.

What are you most looking forward to in the next year?
Doing more things, like visiting new places and being the oldest in middle school. I've had two years of middle school experience now! You promised we'd go to Disney World, so I'm excited about that. And just our normal places, like Petoskey and the U.P. Ooh, I want to go to Canada. Well not really, I want to move to Canada, so...

What is one goal you have for next year?
Clean my room.

Who would you say are your best friends?
I don't know, I don't want to name everyone.... But definitely Lydia, Hudson, Jaden, Gabby, all the cousins.

What are your strengths?
I don't know, don't you know them better than me?! I would say getting stuff done, but then again, maybe not. I think being a leader.

What careers are you considering?
Being a lawyer, or something with baking, or being an interior designer.

What’s your favorite song or type of music?   
It changes every day, like I'll hear a song I haven't heard in awhile, and be like, "oh I love this song," then listen to it for four days straight until I don't like it anymore.

What's your favorite food?
Anything from Tim Hortons. Well, maybe not plain black coffee... but MOST anything.

Current favorite movie?   
I like a lot of movies, but I don't really have a favorite. One of my favorites is 13 Going on 30. Back to the Future, always a classic. All the Marvel movies except for some of the newer ones.

Current book(s) you're reading?
The Book Thief.

Favorite color?   
Still purple, but more like pastel purple.

Favorite place to be?
Starbucks, Target, Meijer, or home.

What are your favorite things to do? 
Be with my friends, bake, read, swim, spend time with cousins. I like to shop.

What was your favorite present?
I think I've used my Crocs the most [I still can't get over the fact that Crocs are back in style!]; but honestly I like everything and I think I've used everything so far.

Is there anything else you want us to know about you? 
If any of my friends are reading this, my phone doesn't work so I'm not getting any texts. I know my phone is probably BLOWING up with all your messages...just kidding.