Mary Cate, age 10

It's been amazing to witness Mary continue to learn and grow so much over the last year. She gets more confident by the day, has lots of hobbies, takes good care her family members, and still holds her own in most situations. She knows her mind and isn't afraid to speak it. She is patient with her young cousin and friends. Fear makes her mad so she pushes through it and comes out the other side a force to be reckoned with (not without a lot of stress for her mom in the meantime). Like the rest of the family, Mary has experienced a lot of change and "new" this year and has approached it with a lot of strength and trust. We're thankful to God for Mary and how He has strengthened her this year. Love you, Mary!

Mary loves a good lemonade stand.

Open house at Dutton Christian School

Hiking buddy

We're bookending band parenting with the flute!

Last Creative Arts Night performance

Celebrating after a long day of school and the HCS Open House!

What was your favorite memory from the last year?

Going to Kentucky with Dad for spring break and the girls' trip to Sault Ste. Marie.

What is one way God's been working in your life this year?

He helped me transition to a new school after leaving LCS, the only school I've ever been to. I can tell that he made it easier for me. 

How do you feel about being ten?  

Good...it doesn't really feel different. Sometimes I forget that I'm ten! I'm finally in 5th grade. Middle school is next year! 

What are you most looking forward to in the next year?

Continuing at a new school. I'm hoping maybe Hannah can visit this year? By the time I turn 11 I'll be in middle school! I think we're most likely to go to Florida this year, I'm excited for that.

What new things or skills are you learning?

I'm excited about writing. I might be able to self-publish my books this year?

What is a goal you have for yourself in the next year?

To win at basketball. I can't think of anything better than that.

Who are your best friends?

Hannah, Sofia, Amelia, Abigail, Emma. From DCS, Linden, Miriam, and Jane.

What kinds of things are you good at?

Basketball, softball, piano, flute, music in general. Writing, reading, math. Is that enough bragging? 😏

What kinds of things are you not-so-good at yet?

Gosh I just can't think of anything! (kidding) [Her brothers say: Being independent. You ask mom for everything! Understanding a situation before retaliating.] 😂

What careers are you considering?

Meteoritist. Author. Or maybe a teacher or doctor. Maybe not a doctor because it's too gross. If I'm a teacher I want to teach math or science.

Why are you interested in those careers?

Because I like space and I think it's interesting, the rocks in particular. I like math and science and I could teach about space if I don't work for NASA. I really like writing. I have a story that's 72 pages long and another that's 125 and I'm still working on it.

What’s your favorite song?   

I have no idea. Maybe something from the Greatest Showman. I like Reap that Joy and Raise Me Up by Rend Collective and Rich by Eli Gable.

What's your favorite food?

Pesto pasta, definitely.

Favorite movie? Or just a movie you like. 

The Greatest Showman.

Favorite book you've read this year?   

I reread The Vanderbeekers and The Penderwicks and those are my favorite books.

Favorite color?   
Cerulean. The color of the sky but the real color, not sky blue. Also creamy yellows.

Favorite place to be?

The U.P., Treasure Island, and just home. 

What are your favorite things to do?

Read, write, math, piano...pretty much all the things I said for what I'm good at.

Is there anything else you want us to know about you as a ten-year-old?   

Alright guys. You've been waiting for this announcement for two whole years now. My favorite planet is...still Mercury! Also, my new book that I'm writing will be about 150 pages.

Eddie, age 12

We're a whole new level of late this year as I finish this roughly five months late. But...it's been a weird year and maybe this is a better time to hear from Eddie about life. We've been especially grateful for Eddie's chill nature this year as we experienced some upheaval and landed in new places. He has taken things in stride, made new friends, kept old friends, tried new things, took on new independence and responsibility, and kept us laughing all year with his well-timed one-liners.

Eddie stayed busy this year with basketball and baseball as usual. This fall he also gave football a try and switched from piano to trumpet lessons as he adjusts to a new music program. New school means lots of new things, and we're excited to see what the rest of this year brings! Love you, Eddie!

Mom: I know we're super late on this interview, but hopefully now that you've been 12 for a few months and school has started, it's easier to answer some of these! 

What was your favorite memory from the last year?

Probably going to Michigan Adventure with Aidrick - going on Shivering Timbers with his dad!

What is one way God's been working in your life this year?

Helping me adjust my lifestyle, like going from LCS to Grand Ledge, everything is different. I started football, my days are different.

How do you feel about being twelve?

Well, I've been 12 for 4.5 months now...and so far it feels not very different. Starting 7th grade, that feels different, but turning 12 doesn't seem like that big of a deal.

What are you most looking forward to in the next year? Your last year of being a "kid" before you turn 13.

I don't know if there's one big thing, but I'm excited to go to St. Louis and I think I get to go to Cedar Point again. Those are probably the most exciting. And I don't know if there's an actual plan, but maybe we're going to Florida?

Who are your best friends?

Probably Cameron, Aidrick, Benji, and Otto. [They are all old friends/cousins also going to Beagle.] I'd like to get together with Brady, Max, and Armani, but I'm not sure if I'll see them for awhile.

What are your strengths?

This is a hard one. I'm good at not crashing out at DJ even when he's being crash-out worthy. I'm patient with other people. I'm pretty good at music and baseball.

What careers are you considering?

Well, I'm 12. [So true. It's about time you get a job.] I don't really have like big dreams, but I would like to be a baseball announcer or a teacher or something. [What do you think you'd like to teach?] If it was middle or high school, maybe band or math or science.

Why are you interested in those fields?

They just sound like fun, and I think I'd be good at them.

What’s your favorite song or type of music right now?

I'm listening to Green Day a lot.

What's your favorite food?

Tacos.

Current favorite movie?

Ooh...probably Spiderman No Way Home, Avengers End Game, Thunderbolts, Spiderman Brand New Day.

Current book you're reading? Or should I say books?

I'm reading The Hunger Games: Mockingjay.

Favorite color?   

Right now it's green and yellow.

Favorite place to be?

Probably Gull Lake or Sault Ste. Marie - Grandpa's condo.

What are your favorite things to do? 

I like to play trumpet, read, play baseball and football, and watch TV.

Is there anything else you want us to know about you?

Well they never let us say "no" to this question at school, so...I'm flying to St. Louis this week!