Eleven

Happy golden birthday, Brinnly Ruth Ward!  11 years on September 11th!  It was a wonderful birthday for our girl this year. She started with an appearance in the Valpo Popcorn Festival parade on the golf cart with her Aunt Kara, throwing candy and supporting the cheerleaders.  Then on her actual birthday, the girls in her class decorated her locker and brought in sweet cards and candy. (It's a tradition for all the girls in her class to do this and they all do such a nice job!). She had all of her favorites foods to eat including New Orleans gumbo for dinner and loved opening her kind cards and gifts from friends and family. She even let her siblings share her new reading chair. :)

Brinnly has been a trooper this year. We finally figured out her diagnosis of abdominal migraines that weighed her down last spring. Her transition to a new school has gone very smoothly and she loves her new group of friends. She's made a lot of gains in volleyball and is a key part of the team (and the bench!). She's always a helper at home, a loving sister, and one making us laugh. We love so you dearly, Brinner-Bugs and thank God for the gift you are to our family.