To my sweet Ariana,
I feel like now that you’re a teenager I should be better prepared with words of wisdom or some fancy new tradition to mark the occasion or an all-you-can-eat buffet. But alas, this day just seemed to come all of a sudden out of nowhere, and instead I feel as though I’m bumbling around thinking about how undeserving I am to have this gift of a daughter who’s lived thirteen years with joy, kindness, an easy laugh, and as a faithful friend to all who walk across her path.
What a delight it is to be your mama!! Few things bring me more joy than spending time with my children, watching them grow, learn, work through sin, and come into their own personalities. But the part I hoped for without knowing if it would happen was the friendship I have, especially with you older ones. Man, you make me laugh! Your quick wit and love of fun make me feel as though I’ve officially arrived as a parent. Like it’s time to write a book, “How to Raise Funny Teens—One Witty Mom’s Guide.” And though I’m frequently joking about how you got it all from me, in truth you got it all from your big-D Daddy. Christians don’t laugh enough. And we should be laughing loudest and hardest. God created humor, Jesus used humor, and we have a joy that surpasses all understanding of a future hope that we did nothing to earn. We can laugh in Satan’s face, we can laugh with a child-like joy when we see a sunset knowing it was our all-powerful creator who painted it, and we can laugh when witty things are done or said because we have a creative Father who designed this thing called laughter even in teeny babies.
But as much as I adore hearing your glorious laugh, I more love the way you think about and talk about Jesus, and the way you dearly love those around you. You, my introverted girl, have courageously shared Jesus with more people than I could count. It’s hard for you every time, but you do it through the Spirit because you know the good news in your own life, and you can’t bear the thought that someone might miss it in theirs. You embolden me, my sister. On top of that, you have this knack to look for the outsider, bringing them in. You want everyone to know what it is to be unconditionally loved because you’ve experienced that kind of love from God.
I’ve also watched you grow as a leader. You’ve taken off with your younger siblings, taking on the role of oldest girl with love and responsibility, looking out for them with care instead of with the bossiness that was there in your younger years. Your friendship with those closer to your age has brought me to tears more than once. What a gift to have best friends in your brothers and sisters!!! Friendships will come and go through your whole life, but these nine (so far!) people will be part of you forever. And you’re doing good work now to cultivate healthy relationships that will grow even more with time.
Boy oh boy have I seen your gift of music arise! Your dad and I ran from music for a while, afraid of it because of the idolatry it had become in our own hearts. But you, amidst your brothers and sisters, have brought the joy of it back into our home. I get to hear your gorgeous voice every day as you faithfully honor your teachers by practicing as they’ve asked you. I’m floored to hear the music you write on the piano. I could do nothing else for the rest of my life but listen to you guys make stunning music together with something like 28-part harmony. It satisfies my soul when you weep at the lyrics of a well-written song or work to dissect the poetry. You love music, but not for your own glory as I did. You love it because you don’t know how to live without it being part of you. I think you see Jesus most clearly through music, and His song is written on your heart. Thank you, my girl, for helping me find pleasure in it again, but for His sake, not mine.
Lastly, you, along with your other sisters, truly are my best friend. You’ve joked that we’re Lorelei and Rory, but I’m glad to say we aren’t. Though there are many similarities (food, coffee, laughter, and deep talks for sure!), our bond is in something far greater. We aren’t besties just because we’re mother-daughter or because we have the same interests. We’re close because Jesus has bonded us through His blood, not the blood that runs through our veins. You love Him deeply, and our conversations and food and coffee and laughter are grounded in Him. You exhort me, encourage me, build me up, feel freedom to confess wrongs and to open up your secrets to me, all because you’re first and foremost God’s daughter, and so am I. And I’m floored that I get to share this crazy life with you.
I love you to infinity, my Ariana. Keep growing in grace and beauty. Keep loving your big brother, Jesus. Keep loving all you see. Keep being exactly who God created you to be. Nothing is more lovely than that.
Your witty parents,
Mom and Dad
Little V posing as statues during said walk
Bill in Sarah’s clothes
Playing Switch for the first time
And, um, something with brothers…
Posing at a rest stop looking out at the mountains
We got to the beach right at sundown. This was the first time Malcolm and Cheyanne had seen the ocean, so it was particularly special. Victoria lost her flip flop in the waves a couple of minutes after this (Hurricane Michael hit in Florida while we were there–though we were only on tropical storm warning, the water was super choppy the first three days). This pretty much crushed her little heart. Four DAYS later, Ariana was walking on the beach toward our room and found Victoria’s flip flop!!! I know it sounds so small, but it was huge for our whole family. One more way God just kept showing off all week.
The view from our penthouse balcony. Yep, had to throw that out there cause Bill is a ridiculous deal finder and found this amazing place for way cheaper than he could have found a hotel. It was seriously a penthouse and perfect!
We went running together the first morning there. I hate running but could run on the beach all day long.
The choppy waters brought in tons of sea foam, so our kiddos enjoyed making boots out of it.
Even though we were under tropical storm warnings, we had gorgeous weather every day but one. And the last two days were perfect beach conditions and water.
Lots of sand play and chilling 
Walks on the beach every day. These two little men started holding hands, so I joined in.
A sad boy finding comfort in Daddy
The one stormy day we stayed in the room except to eat out. This little one learned how to play this solitaire game after just watching me and asking a few questions one time. She became addicted!
That night, the storm clouds brought in the most gorgeous sunset of all times. Oh. My. Word!!!
We got this view almost every night.
And sunrises on the balcony. How great is our God!!!
She made a garden with peas, apples, and corn. Shells were the seeds.
Tabernacle Village. With a French accent.
And a hot tub
Chillaxin in the outdoor poor which had a lazy river.
We don’t have Krispy Kreme in Indy (glazed ones in the grocery don’t count!), so when we saw the “Hot Now” sign, stopping was a must.
This guy claimed Miriam as his (her?–we didn’t check…) pet.
At one point Victoria was interviewing me with her corn mic. I had no idea Bill recorded the whole thing. But oh he did and it can be used as blackmail for years to come.
Hayride!
Our friend captured this pic of Bill. I love it so much because Bill had no idea his pic was being taken, and this is simply a Bill look. Just quietly thinking and taking in his surroundings.
Drummer Drumming
Piper Piping
Lord a Leaping
Lady Dancing
Maid a Milking
Swan a Swimming
Goose a Laying–we forgot to have her hold an egg carton in this pic! 
Golden Rings
Calling Bird
French Hen
Turtle Dove
Partridge in a Pear Tree
Trunk or Treating in Franklin, IN
They actually get tons of trick-or-treaters in their neighborhood, something my kids have never seen.
And the last stop was Nana and Peepaw’s house. Andrew Luck, ahem, Peepaw was happily in the driveway passing out candy. So fun!
The Bell Family 