A Day In The Country

This week has been a very special week for my niece, Valeria, as she made her first trip to Minnesota without her Mom and Dad. She is the most special 11 year old in the entire world! She is smart, kind, and helpful. She has been so courageous and outgoing this week! She had her first bon fire, her first time tubing, her first time driving the four-wheeler by herself, and as you see, her first time horseback riding. I am such a proud auntie!

I have loved having my niece in Minnesota so much that I don't want to return her ;-)!  Nothing has made me want to be a stronger woman than spending time with her. I want to set an example and show her that being caring, brave, and independent is powerful! I want her to know that she can do anything she sets her mind to, and that she is stronger than she thinks she is! (As she learned the hard way, falling off the tube is easy, getting back on is more difficult.) I want her to know that as a girl it is okay to be tough, to play hard, to get dirty and full of hay sometimes, but that she can also be tender and loving, she can spend the day baking, and play with dolls regardless of her age. She is such a special blessing in my life and I am very thankful for our time together this week.