Annie's sixteen! When Nellie turned sixteen I could hardly believe it, it just seemed so old. For Annie, it's like, "finally!" She passed her driving test the day before her birthday and we couldn't be happier to have another driver in the house. Though all of a sudden, three cars somehow feels like too few with working teenagers. Sixteen suits Annie just fine. She'll get a little independence and she can finally listen to whatever she wants in the car without DJ and Eddie complaining (or singing different music loudly in the backseat. It's getting old for all of us.) She's a busy girl, and is going to be an upper classman, so we're looking forward to everything that's to come this year.
It's been a year of ups and downs for all of us, but there were lots of highlights! I'm curious to hear her favorite memories, but mine include: Another awesome cross country season, with great friends, PRs, and a trip to states; learning she loves studying literature with Mrs. Chadwick in American Lit; the regional choir weekend at WMU; the Taylor Swift concert in Indianapolis!; attending the Worship Symposium at Calvin; a strong basketball season; playing Annie in Annie; getting her first job; and trying out track this spring!
Annie is just as delightful as ever - a good friend, sister, and daughter, and endlessly encouraging and helpful. We're lucky she's ours and are happy to celebrate her!
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| Early morning birthday run |
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| Maiden voyage to get milk at QD! |
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| Pepper spray for solo trail runs |
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| Thanks Cousin Connie for the awesome hot air balloon cake! 💜 |
What is a favorite memory from the last year?
Running cross country states AND watching Taylor Swift perform in the same 12 hours!
What is one way God's been working in your life?
I feel like I've been able to love Him more, and early on in my relationship with God, when I was first becoming a Christian, I wasn't really sure what that meant. I'm learning to love Him more. This has very much been a year of loss, but that's helped me learn what prioritize and let go of some things.
How do you feel about being sixteen?
I definitely thought that 16-year-olds were so mature and old, but I feel like I'm still little! And I can drive, which I feel good about. I like driving myself around a lot more than (some) others driving me. [I think that might be a dig on a big sister.]
What are you most looking forward to in the next year?
Driving myself around, another cross country season, Gettysburg [the spring junior trip], AP US History, coming back to the U.P., hanging out with family and friends. If that can even happen in junior year.
What is one goal you have for next year?
Find more clarity when it comes to college and career paths. And just survive - get through the school year while prioritizing my relationships with God and others. And be willing to say "no" to things.
Who would you say are your best friends?
Lydia, Makenna, Adrienne, Robynne, Hudson
What would you say are some of your strengths?
I'm determined and hard working. I have mental toughness. I hope people think I'm nice and Christ-centered.
What was your biggest accomplishment this year?
Probably being in the musical or qualifying for states individually for cross country and track, even though I only did track for half a season because of cross country.
What careers are you considering?
Dear me. Right now, nothing is jumping out to me as much as in the past. But for a long time I've considered something law related. I've considered pursuing something medical for awhile but now I'm leaning away from that.
What’s your favorite song or type of music?
Usually - well, it's almost always something Taylor Swift. But it changes regularly! Recently, as in the last two weeks, it's been Innocent by TS and Smoke Slow by Joshua Bassett.
What's your favorite food?
Pesto pasta, and pretty much anything chocolatey. And toast from Dairy Queen.
Current favorite movie or TV show?
Probably Gilmore Girls and I don't watch a lot of movies!
Current book(s) you're reading?
Well I just finished Firekeeper's Daughter for the eighth time, and now for my in-between books I'm reading the To All the Boys I've Loved Before series.
Favorite color?
Purple
Favorite place to be?
Probably Gull Lake, Sault Ste. Marie, Petoskey.
What are your favorite things to do?
Read, be with my friends, run, bake, listen to and play music, go swimming.
What was a favorite present?
Oh, for my birthday? I have to run an inventory...maybe that squishy duck from the Meyers.
If you could describe your year in one line from a Taylor Swift song, what would it be?
I've never been a natural, all I do is try, try, try.
Is there anything else you want us to know about you?
I think that's it for now!
