thirteen things

1. Madison is such a free spirit. She doesn't really care what anyone else thinks of her or if she fits in.
2. She is kind and forgiving. Last week she was part of a misunderstanding where she thought one of her best friends was having a party and she had not been invited. That friend is coming to her party tomorrow and had already accepted the invite which made the situation sting a little more. But she did not get worked up over it and did not want to rescind the invite or confront the friend. She figured she had a reason and moved on. Turned out it was a different girl with the same name and first initial of the last name. (Like knowing 2 Suzy Q's).
3. Madison is fun. She is good at including others and helping them to have fun as well.
4. And she is funny. This girl LOVES to make people laugh. Especially me. She told me once that she has made it a goal to make me REALLY laugh at least once a day. She does a pretty good job.
5. Madison is gracious. She sees the good in every gift, situation and individual.
6. She likes to be on time. If Madison is late for something, it is usually NOT her fault.
7. Madison is task and goal oriented. If she has a clear and attainable goal (like the YW Personal Progress program), she doesn't have a problem getting the job done. She LOVES checklists. If you want Madison to get more than one or two things done, give the girl a checklist!!!
8. She has a knack for knowing when to lie low. She can often be found lying in her bed reading a book. (Her favorite pastime.)
9. And also for knowing when to pitch in and help out. Two weeks ago she finished her school work early and went out and took the Christmas lights down. She recruited an older sister for help when needed. She neatly wound up the lights and put them away properly.
10. For her birthday she asked for a skateboard. And makeup. She got both.
11. Madison loves reading, all things Marvel, her family, Heavenly Father and Jesus, church, swim team, summer, collecting "stuff", knitting, making pancakes, her friends, the colors blue, green and purple, all things camo, orange juice and chocolate.
12. Right now she wants to get a degree in Exercise Science and be a Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor when she graduates high school.
13. Madison gives great hugs, excellent back rubs and each Sunday in church she gives hand rubs to the sister sitting next to her. I need to remember to sit next to her next Sunday.

I love this girl of mine to pieces. She has the ability to bring me down a notch or two when I am starting to get worked up. She has a calming presence and a great attitude. Our family would NOT be the same without her. I am so very blessed that she is my girl!!!