Isabelle is twelve years old today. Of all of my kids, she is the one who most wants to be doing something all the time. And by “doing something”, I don’t mean schoolwork, or any other seated task. She wants to be baking, or fixing, or cleaning, or going to the post office, or doing any other random task that might arise.

She regularly bemoans her math schwork, but got a perfect score on the math portion of her standardized test.

She is not the fastest or the strongest among her siblings, but she is like the little engine that could and is great at sticking with a task – even an exhausting one – until it is completed.

Isabelle is unafraid to try new things, even if odds are against her success, and approaches most things with determination and optimism.

She continues to be very interested in hair styling and fashion and baking, and has become more interested in drawing, painting and crafts recently. Isabelle is a great student in these areas and regularly researches materials and techniques to improve her skills.

Isabelle is also an encourager, to me in particular. She gives me hugs whenever I’m having a bad day, and reminds me of what is true when my faith wavers in hard moments. She is compassionate and servant-hearted and nurturing, and does a great job of taking care of everyone around her.

Isabelle is a bright light on dark days. She is witty and smart and strong. Our family is blessed by her and it is a joy to be her mom. I’m so thankful for the chance to celebrate her twelve years today.

Lucas is another year older. My baby is only one year away from double digits, and I won’t pretend I’m not a little sad. But he still gives me hugs, and tells me he loves everything about me (except my scoldings), and has a cute little-boy giggle.

That might be all that’s left of truly little-boy qualities, though. He adeptly plays any and every game his older siblings play. He follows after his big brothers as they climb trees and do push-up contests (which he wins) and do house projects and create with LEGO. He likes to cook and paint and ride his bike and play baseball.

Lucas is still a whirlwind and leaves a lot of messes in his wake, and it’s a challenge to rein him in long enough to address those messes. He also still has moments of lamenting math and laundry folding, but they are fewer than they used to be. And he has started to enjoy writing short stories. They lack refinement in punctuation, spelling and the like, but I’m happy to see him getting excited about another creative endeavor.

Lucas continues to be two handfuls – and then some – but he is so full of energy and ideas and personality, it’s hard to want to restrain him too much. He is smart, creative, determined, funny, thoughtful and kind. He fills our days with questions and sunshine and storm clouds and wonder. I’m so thankful for my littlest kiddo who is growing way too fast, and I love him with my whole heart. It is a privilege to be his mom and celebrate his 9 years today.