Dear Tate,
You're 12 now. I have no idea how that happened. And with all of the madness right after you turned 11 I missed writing you your birthday letter last year. I'll make this a really good one, I promise kiddo. You are just the best first child, oldest brother, role model, guinea pig that we could ask for, Tate. You are a gentle, kind big brother. You are always willing to play games or read books or wrestle with your little siblings. You jump on any job I ask you to help with whether it's taking out the garbage or emptying the dishwasher, or making the kids lunch with an immediate, "Absolutely, Mom!" You are patient and forgiving of your dad and I when we make mistakes and admittedly bumble through this parenting thing. It's amazing and baffling and I'm grateful every day for the way you lead our family and your siblings.
Fifth grade was a little tricky for you but not nearly as difficult as I would have imagined for your first year of middle school. I wished that your teachers were just a little bit gentler with your little tender heart at times, but they both seemed to appreciate the unique qualities you brought to their classrooms and both of them wrote me emails on occasion letting me know things they saw in you that they liked and appreciated. You played percussion in the band until we left in March and seemed to enjoy it but weren't ever able to play in a concert since they were cancelled. You didn't choose to stay with band and elected not to take choir in school this year too. I said it was okay as long as you were progressing in piano and continued singing in miss Kellie's choir but as it turns out, miss Kellie hasn't been able to run her choirs this year anyway... I was a little surprised that you didn't choose any music for your 6th grade electives but I didn't get in your way. You did choose drama which surprised me a lot as you can sometimes be VERY shy when asked to be silly in front of people. As it turns out, most electives were sort of cancelled this year any way so we'll see if you sign up again next year.
We had such a crazy year, Tate. We left for the states to go to Mallo and Carson's wedding on March 11th for what we thought would just be a few weeks with Dad meeting us at the end for the wedding and we'd just go home together! It didn't turn out that way. We got stuck apart until July and it was oh so hard. We were so lucky to have ward members here who allowed us to stay in their homes while we were stuck. We stayed in the Dibb's townhouse in American Fork for a month and then moved to the Bourne's home in Lehi for three more. We really struggled doing virtual school, dealing with the constantly changing pandemic situation, being away from our home and without Glenn. We all took our turns having sad days and break downs but the others always picked us up and helped us cheer up.
There were so many tender mercies during those four months. We were able to spend tons of time with Uncle Carson and Auntie Mallo. You guys fell in love with Uncle Carson and it was so fun to see you guys get along so well. We spent a lot of time with them and Nana and Grandpa and Kenzie and Tucker and Trevan. It was very unusual in our expat life to have so much time to spend with family and we made the most of it. We saw family at least a few times a week.
Paul Weitzel introduced you and Finn to Dungeons and Dragons last year and it's taken over your life. You pour over the books of monsters and characters and memorize all their stats. Create story lines in your head and love to DM for your siblings. While we were away he set up a Saturday morning game where you could play with Reece and Amelia and Glenn over zoom. It was the highlight of your week. You even asked Paul to DM for your Dungeons and Dragons birthday party this year with some of your friends. You had the greatest time making labels for your chosen food items that were D&D themed and were so excited to share D&D with your buddies.
It was a huge tender mercy to be able to be there for Mallo's wedding. The temples were closed by the time her wedding date rolled around and that meant that you kids could attend her wedding! It was a very special day. Not at all like any of us imagined. But kind of perfect none-the-less. I hope you remember the spirit we felt as we watched our sweet Auntie Mallo marry her sweetheart. It was so cool, Tate.
We spend a LOT of time outside while we were in Utah. Luckily, we were staying close to AF canyon so we would hike at least once a week. You guys were at just the ride ages to be able to climb and hike for a few miles and not get too tired or grumpy. We saw animals and bugs, you were constantly searching, especially at the beginning of our stay before it warmed up, for patches of snow and begged everyone to have a snowball fight with you! You didn't care how freezing you got you just HAD to have a snowball fight!
When things started to open up a little bit we took a day trip to Goblin valley and you guys had the greatest time climbing around and hiking for a few hours. We also went to the aquarium with Mallo and Carson and the Thanksgiving Point farm with Kenzie and Tucker. Lots of walks, lots of time on the trampoline. We also had a wildfire near the Bourne's house while we were there and an earthquake as well! It was a wild ride, Tate. And while you had days when you just couldn't cheer up, most of the time you did a pretty good job looking at the positives and trying to see the blessings in the muck.
Virtual school was okay last spring. Not your favorite, but it was okay. You'd watch the videos, do the work and send in pictures of worksheets and writing that you did. You were sad to be ending the school year that way and worried about all the what ifs. What if we didn't get home before school started again? What if we never get to go back to school in person? What if we're stuck here for Christmas?! It was a lot for a kid to digest. Especially when the situation was changing day by day.
We finally got to go home on July 7th and it was just the best trip across the world we've ever had. In spite of the worry and all the luggage and flights and little sleep and having to wear a mask all day, you and your siblings didn't complain at all. You helped me and each other. You practically skipped through the airports. You were patient as we figured out the bus situation in Dammam and waited anxiously for the bus to pull up at our house where you ran off the bus and into your Dad's arms. You'd grown a lot in those four months and he was surprised to see how tall you were. It's been a BIG could of years for your growth Tate. You'll pass me up not to long from now, kiddo.
We spend the next two weeks in quarantine and it was heaven. Your dad bought a switch while we were away because he was SO bored without us so you guys played a lot of video games together and we read and swam in our backyard pool and snuggled for games and movies. It was the most blissful two weeks all to ourselves.
The rest of the summer was spent doing our morning routine and then swimming in the pool or playing with friends. This year we added exercise to our daily routine and you took to the treadmill like a fish to water. Your dad and I were so surprised at how we never had to ask you to get some exercise and how we'd even find you on the treadmill on your day off on Saturday. Some days you'd run for just 2 miles and sometimes as much as 4. Just because. We've been so excited to see you find something physical that you enjoy, Tate. It's such an important part of keeping your body healthy. I hope you always have some way of moving that you like and for now, it's definitely running. A few months ago you joined the run club that Lindsey Law set up on camp. Kids from 5-12 grade get together and run twice a week. One slow run and one speed work. You do not love the speed work day. No one does. But you're doing it. And even though we tell you you don't need to, you often get on the treadmill on days you have run club too! You watch a show while you run and I think it's a fun little zen part of your day. You look forward to it and I'm just so glad.
This year you've progressed a lot in piano as well. You're in the level 5 book and learning those songs pretty capably on your own. I help sometimes with counting but you're doing really well. More than once Glenn has walked in and expressed surprise that you are the one playing the piano when he thought it was me. You've learned a few theme songs from star wars or zelda and you love to play those when people come over or when there's a piano at someone else's house.
We started the school year online and it was a LOT of time in front of a screen. You'd have class from 9-3 every day. We were beyond thrilled when we finally were able to go to a hybrid schedule in November. You go to school four afternoons a week for your core classes, science, social studies, language arts, and math. And then you have your specials classes in the morning on google meets which are, art, Spanish and PE. You also have a D&D club with Andrew Redmon once a week at lunch that you look forward to all week. We're hopeful that more will open up before school ends but we'll just have to see how it goes!
You went from really hating to write in 4th grade to LOVING to write in 6th. That transition started in 5th grade and getting so much faster at typing. Hand writing has never been your favorite but as you've progressed in typing it's opened up so much more fun for you in getting those amazing ideas in your head down on paper. You love to write books and have a few in the works. You'll get an idea in your head, always fantasy or fan fiction, and just take off, writing page after page. I feel very lucky that we have such a good relationship and that you want me to read them and give you feedback. It's been such a fun glimpse into your creative mind this year.
On November 30th we went to the states to visit the Makechnies for a week and a half. It was so nice to see them all, especially Grandpa Arthur. You family loves you, Tate. Uncle Gregor played games with you and came up with crazy questions to ask you about D&D. Amy wants to know about the books you're reading. You could sit and snuggle with those two puppies all day long. It was a great visit with the Makechnies and I'm so glad we went. I love seeing you kids in New Hampshire. It's such a beautiful and ideal place to be a kid. So much to explore and people who really love you.
We surprised you guys after our NH trip and spend a week in Disney World together. It was the most wonderful trip, Tate. You and Finn could ride everything and were excited and brave. You encouraged your sisters and cheered them on when they were nervous. You shared treats and rode smaller rides to please them. It was a truly magical week together as a family and so healing in many ways too. Disney did a fantastic job keeping things safe and clean and we felt totally relaxed and able to play and just be together. I hope you remember moments like those, Tate. When we build stronger bonds as a family because we just like to be together. We're as different as 6 people can be, but we've got each other's backs and we just like each other and have fun together. We are an awesome team.
I should really keep track of how many books you read. The problem is, that now you have Sora, which is a book library through the school on your laptop so you read books on there every week and I never even know! You borrowed the Hobbit a few months back and read the whole thing in less than 24 hours. You're on the two towers now and we'll watch the movie as soon as you're done. We're still getting through book 7 of Harry Potter. It's taken us a long time because we don't get to read together every night and I want to read it with you! You would have finished it on your own long long ago. It's incredible how fast and how much you read, Tate. Absolutely incredible. It's something you truly love and that you're proud of as well.
I've watched you grow SO much this year, Tate. You have become so responsible and calm. You still have moments when you let your worry spiral out of control but they really are fewer and farther between than they used to be. Something magic happened with virtual school. There was something about the degree of ownership and responsibility required, paired with a maturity and readiness in you. You stay on top of your work, you're getting good grades, when you don't understand something or a link isn't working, you write professional and respectful emails to your teachers. You still have things you're working on but you're trying really hard to balance reaching your potential with recognizing and dealing with your stress level. It's been so amazing to watch this year. I'm so proud of this 12 year old kid you've become and the maturity you carry all of a sudden.
You were a little nervous to receive the priesthood, just knowing that it was a responsibility and knowing that you wanted to bear it well. You do, kiddo. It's been so wonderful to see you pass the sacrament to our family every week in the family room. To see the spirit you carry with you and the contributions you make to our come follow me discussions. I've loved the way your YM leaders have planned activities to help you grow and enjoy the awesome group of youth we have here. It's a camelot for the youth in so many ways. Lots of boys your age and great leaders in a protective environment where nearly every member of our ward are active in the church. It's crazy and awesome. You'll never see another ward like it.
Your memory is absolutely amazing, Tate. If I ever forget a fact or detail I just ask you. Once I was quoting something from Elf and you actually corrected me. "It was 11 cookies, Mom." What? "It was, 11 cookies that he shoved into the VCR, Mom." Seriously, who remembers things in that detail? You do! Last week your toast fell "lemon curd side up". Yeah Tate, you love lemon curd so much you actually got some in your stocking. And I said, "Tate how did that happen?! It's statistically impossible!" You replied, "Actually mom, toast falls butter side up 2 times out of ten. So while extremely rare, it's not statistically impossible." I said, "WHATTT?!" And you responded that you had read that fact on a poster at the Denver museum of nature and science a few years ago. Seriously, Tate. It's incredible.
You're becoming a better eater and I can usually convince you to eat a few bites of whatever I've come up with for dinner. But you'd still prefer sandwiches, mac and cheese, pasta, or pizza if given the choice. But you really love breakfast. Pretty much any breakfast I make just makes you so happy. You're easy to please at breakfast time. You've started to really enjoy cooking too. You made your own birthday cake last year and once in a while on Fridays you just decide you want to bake sometimes. Sometimes it's creme brulee, sometimes it's a batch of cupcakes with piped frosting. It's adorable. We're working on following recipes, but you'll get there because you really love food so I think it's good motivation for you to figure out how to make things on your own.
Tate, boy do I love you. I love reading with you in bed. I love movie nights with the boys. I love riding rides with you and baking with you and cleaning while jamming out to loud music with you. I love seeing you play with your buddies, get super excited about video games, practice pieces of music until your work out problem spots. I love seeing you share your books with your sisters because you can tell that they just want to be like you in any way they can. Tate, I love you to bits. I don't know how I got so lucky to be your mom but I truly am grateful for it every single day. I learn so much from you and I love you fiercely. You are going to do absolutely incredible things with your brilliant mind and your matchless heart, Tate and I cannot wait to watch.
I love you so much, my Tate. Happy happy Birthday!
The world is yours, sweet boy.
Love,
Mom
