My amazing daughter – Anne Ranae!

Today was Annie’s school conference. Ammon and I went to the 8am meeting with her teacher expectant of a great report card to bring home. What we received was not only a “great” report card, but the knowledge that Annie is excelling in all academic areas and is a "joy to have in class.” 

Her teacher, Mrs. Hansen is amazing!  I truly appreciate her passion for teaching and her ability to see Annie as an individual and challenge her to be even better!  I know that we have good teachers at our school…but I have really been impressed with Mrs.Hansen’s ability to see my daughter…her strengths and her weaknesses and then work to encourage the most growth from her!  Annie’s reading level was recently tested at a 6.5 grade level. Her math and spelling abilities are well beyond 3rd grade level. Annie’s writing level is advanced and yet this is the area that Mrs. Hansen would like to see her grow as the year goes on. 

For the last year Annie has been writing stories, modeled from the “Pigeon” books by Mo Willems. She loves those books and has created quite amazing stories while in school and at home. Her creativity and humor is quite sophisticated for her age. However, the writing is very simplistic and set in a comic type setting. A great style to write in…and yet Mrs. Hansen feels it’s time to move on from this genre to more narrative writing. However, I would like to share her Thanksgiving painting with you: During the conference Mrs. Hansen also expressed appreciation for Annie. She is helpful in class, she cares deeply for others, she is sensitive and kind!  We learned that she is quite the talker and sometimes has to be reminded to raise her hand and wait to be called on before sharing her thoughts with the entire class (Mommy can understand this problem…I seem to remember having a problem with that when I was in school too).

I am so proud of Annie! She is an amazing student! I know she always gives her best and works hard. She is sensitive and sweet! She is strong and determined to learn! God has definitely given her some amazing gifts and it will be awesome to see what she will accomplish and become in the years ahead!

OK…so here is a sidenote:

I think as my children grow I see myself so much more like my own Dad. We often laugh because he is so blind to any faults in his children. He only sees the incredible strengths they possess and the accomplishments they achieve as incredibly significant (enough to share with anyone who will listen). Hmmm. That sounds like me.

Growing up, I have to say that the knowledge that my Dad not only believed in me, but was outwardly proud of me, helped grow me into a confident individual. It allowed me to try things that I might even fail at..but I was encouraged to try. He always believed his kids could accomplish anything!  This was a HUGE gift to me! I never worried about disappointing my Dad…because as long as I gave my best I knew he would be proud with the outcome!  Yes…even “C’s” in math were OK…because he knew I had done my best…he often would say, “You have to be average in something!”

Nathan and Annie are the most amazing children! I love them, want the best for them and completely believe that they can do anything they put their minds to!