Birthday season has begun for the Monson family! And today we got to celebrate a super exciting birthday with Portia! Turning 8 is an especially big deal because now Portia can be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost! She is super excited about making covenants with God, and understands what it means so much better than I did at age 8. I have seen in Portia, her whole life, a desire to do what is right and to serve the Lord, and I am so grateful for that about her.

Some other fun things about Portia right now include:

• She still loves beavers
• She makes up funny songs
• She loves crafting, cooking, and all kinds of creating
• She loves makeup and fanciness (see her makeup she did herself in the above picture)
• She is on an adorable dance team
• She’s friendly and fun to be with
• She’s still as precocious as ever

Here’s some pictures with captions that help explain how cool Portia is!

Last week, I got to go on a field trip with Portia’s class. It was so fun to see Portia with all her friends. And I felt super cool that she even wanted to sit by me on one of the bus rides even though her best friend was there.

I also took the opportunity to get a picture with Portia and her “twin” Owen. They are both spunky little blondes with the last name of Monson in the same school class. Portia says that whenever there is a substitute she’ll ask if they are twins. I tell Portia she should just say “yes”, because that’s the closest I’ll ever get to having the boy/girl twins I always wanted.

Also, Portia is on her cute little dance team! She has been working so hard all school year on her routines and yesterday was her first dance competition! It was a long, busy day; but Portia rocked those dances! I was so proud of her! Her team even got a “white diamond” rating for one of their dances which is the highest diamond rating you can get!

And today, we celebrated all the wonder and beauty that is Portia! She picked out her meals, activities, and decorations. And, in spite of an exhausting day yesterday, losing an hour of sleep last night to daylight savings, and a two-hour break for church, she had a great day of fun celebrating!

Of course we adore this girl! We think she’s just about as terrific as 8-year-olds come!