Maynara's birthday was in the end of April and we still shake our heads in disbelief that we're parents of an 11 year old. We're also being careful not to blink for fear of opening our eyes to a 22 year old.
We are 6 months into being parents and we are still working hard to figure out what makes each of our children tick. Figuring out Maynara may be our biggest challenge. In some ways, she's very much like any typical 11 year old--trying to look her best, starting to notice boys but not really interested yet, making friends and drama with friends, wanting to venture into independence but needing to hold on to mom and dad... typical, right? But there's a depth to our daughter that we're only beginning to understand. She has a precious level of emotional maturity coupled with a strong need to be loved as a child. She is a sensitive soul under a somewhat crispy exterior. She is a deep thinker with a sensitive spirit and a great sense of empathy and justice.
Shortly after her birthday we had a few very difficult and frustrating weeks, but we seem to have come through that and have a much better window into who she is after a very open and tender phase following the challenging one.
We loved her from the very beginning, but as we get to know her, we learn more and more to love.
Here are some pictures from her birthday party. Notice a few things that make us smile: She's stunningly beautiful (she likes mom to straighten her hair like this) and she loves chocolate cake! (My cake-making skills are dramatically improving since my first pathetic attempt at a birthday cake for James 8 or 9 years ago--lucky for you, there are no pictures of that Fail.)
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We are still enjoying learning new things about our precious children every day, too.
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