Goodness…that last baby growing up hits different. Avery turns 12 today, and she’s had a big year!

This week, she will be in her first musical performance, when the Middle School puts on the Addams Family. Shes very excited about it and they’ve all worked really hard.

She also started middle school this year and went to her first school dance this fall…

Middle School was a huge adjustment for her, but as we are half way thru the year now, I think we will all survive;) She is getting good at managing “all the things” and expectations that Middle School brings.

She requested shopping at a “real mall” and Fazolis for Birthday dinner, so thats what we did.

I say this often, but she was the child we weren’t sure we’d ever have. We struggled and prayed thru some secondary infertility issues for a couple of years before we got pregnant with her, and when she was born on my mom and grandmas birthdays (both had passed before Avery was born) it was extra special for our whole family.

Happy Birthday Avery Joy! You bring truth to your middle name, are a bright light in a dark world, and our lives wouldn’t be the same without you in it.

We love you!