Carlee is growing up to be such an amazing young woman.
She is in 7th grade, age 12 and a half and is doing very well in school. She dances anywhere from 6-10 hours per week, more if she has a dance convention on the weekend.
We are currently looking to move and I asked her how she would feel if we moved out of the area which would cause her to have to change schools. At first she said that we told her we were going to stay in the area so she could stay in the same school, dance studio, etc. (Which we did in fact say that, but as we look and see that there are few houses on the market we are having a hard time finding one that we like in the area, or anywhere really.) Then she said, "Well it's ok. If I have learned one thing about myself this year it's that I am really great at making friends". I was so proud of her not just that she was willing to make this change if necessary but also the fact that she was able to recognize this in herself. Her Young Women's president recently told me how each girl in YW gets a visit from one of the leaders fairly often. She said that the leaders always report back to her about each girl and all have some concern in at least one area- friends, church, school, family, etc. She said that each time the leader reports to her about Carlee, they are almost feeling confused. The most recent one said something like, "Oh and about Carlee- I'm not sure if she just doesn't want to open up to me, although she seems very open, but she says that she is great when I ask her about all the different areas." The YW president told me that she told this leader, "You know, I believe Carlee is doing great, just like she says. She seems to be in a really great place in life right now."
I couldn't agree more. Carlee doesn't let much bring her down. She doesn't strive to be the best (or better than anyone else) but just loves herself for what she can do and never measures herself against anyone else. She says the only person she needs to be better than is herself- so to do better in school or dance she just needs to do better than she did before. I love her positive attitude and great outlook. She doesn't buy into the junior high drama and will walk away if she sees it coming. She has friends who are venturing out and doing things they shouldn't be doing and Carlee separates herself from these things and these people. She wants no part in it. She has made her decision to do what is right and I pray each day (no kidding) that she will continue on this path, I know Satan is strong and tempts easily. She is so strong though so I have faith that she will continue doing what is right and standing up for what she believes. She has recently taken on the challenge of reading the Book of Mormon in 90 days. This is a tough feat for Carlee given that she isn't a skilled reader and doesn't especially like to read- and the BoM is hard! She listens to it narrated on her Kindle Fire and reads along. She is doing great and is on track with which chapter she should be on. I am so proud of her and the beautiful young woman she is growing up to be.
