Jillie Update

Jillie's school had a Multicultural Concert on St. Patrick's Day. We listened to music from Africa, Ireland, Jerusalem, France, etc... I think Africa took first place, especially with Jackson who loved listening to the African drumming group. Jillie sang with her 7th grade chorus, Select Choir, and a combined choir of all 7th and 8th grade chorus'.

Here's a fun African song that included a little choreography...

(she's in the white and pink with the pink headband)

Jillie was chosen to sing in one of the little "solo groups" in this song. She was very excited to have been chosen. I'm so proud of how well she did.

I'm so glad she enjoys singing since I do too. I am impressed with her singing as well. She has a nice voice and her confidence continues to grow with each experience. Thanks to Holly's encouragement, she's challenged herself to sing a solo at Kobe's baptism in May. (She posted about it on her blog earlier. You can also see a cute little video that she did with Kobe and Reagan).

I hadn't mentioned this on my blog yet, but Jillie played basketball this past winter. Now that she's in the oldest age group, the teams have gotten really tough. Many of the girls who were good enough to make the Middle School team, were also on the Rec teams together as well. These girls were hard to score on let alone beat. I was very impressed with Jillie's attitude though. She never gave up. She listened to everything that her coach and Greg called out for her to do. She's understanding the dynamics of the game better. Through her whole orthodontic expander pain/hardly eating a thing/ losing 7 lbs. in a few weeks time- she stuck with her team. No matter how tired she looked some times, she did her best. This year she got to be on a team with many friends and they all had a good time together. I'm proud of her.I should also mention that I keep Jillie pretty busy babysitting for her siblings lately. She's invaluable to me. It's been so nice to get to run errands child free or get a date night with Greg from time to time.

I still can't believe I have a daughter who will be turning 13 this summer. Life is changing around here. At school recently Jillie (and I ... though I was way in the back so as not to embarrass her) got to enjoy an assembly by Pam Stenzel- an abstinence speaker. She was excellent, but hello! Welcome to the "real world" Jillie. This week Jillie had her annual physical, and since it's officially her 13th year appointment, they took her in to see the doctor without me. She was asked about things like depression, suicide, and the rest of the 'fun' teenager topics doctors need to check on. We'll need to address the vaccination for HPV in the next few years as well. Does she really need that one?! Body's changing, hormones are rearing their heads, she fights cleaning her room or putting her laundry away, I'm getting old... :)

It's just weird to me that she has reached the time of her life that I really remember of my own. She's the one who takes me through each new stage of life and so far we're doing OK. Jillie's a smart girl who is growing in maturity and confidence while still holding on -a little- to the little girl she used to be. Maybe I'm trying to hold on to that little girl just a little bit too.