Ruth,

You turned 8 last week, and with the chaos of getting our house ready to sell, I wasn't able to sit down and write your birthday letter.  You said that was ok, but I hated to be a week late with it.  You are growing up so much a mixture of little girl and grown up.  There are times when you seem to understand things that I wouldn't expect an 8-year-old to grasp.  You can be so reasonable, and eager to please, understanding of situations and the limitations of others.  And then in the next moment, you are again the little girl, who is mad at her little sister for no real reason, who still sucks her thumb, and believes in faeries.

12/30/2017

6/8/2018

You have really become your own little mother hen, especially with Katherine.  It has been obvious for some time that you have wanted to Mother and take care of Rebecca.  Which usually turns into a fight because she is fiercely independent and sees it as controlling and bossy.  But, Kate just adores you doing for her.  You will change diapers, feed her, lug her around the house.  It reminds me of how you were with Monkey and baby monkey and your baby dolls when you were about 3.  You are an affectionate big sister with so much to give.

3/2018

You continue to seemingly breeze through school in everything but spelling.  I think spelling is overrated too, though I can't tell you that.  You have become a much better swimmer over the summer.  And I think you are almost ready to take the training wheels off of your bike.  We did start speech back through the local school, but we are hoping to try something different this year.  They used a long distance program through the computer, and I don't think it was much help.  So we are going to see about doing something different in person once we move.

11/20/2017

Another move looms on the horizon.  And out of everyone you've been the most excited about the possibilities and laid back about the changes.  You are thrilled with your own pond and dock to fish off of.  You like that you will have french doors from your bedroom to your own porch.  You even like the awful looking wallpaper in the room you have claimed.

I suppose it is the age, as all our friends with 8-year-old girls seem to have the same problem, but you have had a bit of a defiant streak lately.  You get overly dramatic and upset over something minor and then ride that thing like there is no tomorrow.  You will dig in your heels and refuse to hear anyone else's point of view or consider how it affects others.  You have always had such a tender heart toward others, that I hope you can continue to work through this without losing that level of compassion that is so unique to you among all our children.  I know that there are some things that you can only learn through experience, I was the same way.  But, sometimes it causes it a great deal of heartache to you and those around you.  It's just another reminder that you are growing up.  That you will make your own mistakes and eventually make your own way out into the world.

Ruth, we love you so much, and only want the best for you.  Momma might be a little overprotective at times, but that's what parents are for.  We do it all out of love.  Daddy and I are so thankful to watch you as you grow, and we know you will do great things for others one day.

Happy late Birthday,

Love,

Momma

8/11/2018

8/11/2018