Y is for...Yasmeen!

Even though I fell off the wagon with the A to Z blogging challenge, I am going to finish up this alphabet since I promised Yasmeen that "Y" would be all about her.  Yasmeen is my 1st born...my oldest at the ripe age of 11!  Sometimes I'll forget and say she is "just a 10 year old girl" (like when she's acting too big for her britches), and she'll be prompt to correct me.  Yasmeen is a loving girl with a big heart.  She cares deeply about her family (even if she'll only admit it under duress) --and especially about her baby brother--she is the perfect mother's helper when it comes to playing with and caring for Adam.  Yasmeen enjoys reading, cooking, talking on the phone, playing on the iPod touch, watching tv, playing the trombone and picking out funky (but cool) earrings.  She is currently a blue belt in Tae Kwon Do and can't wait to reach the black belt level.  She is looking forward to when her little brother can start TKD, so she can be his personal coach.  She dreams of becoming a dentist someday. She has adjusted to Intermediate School in town, even though she had a rough start at the beginning.  She is currently taking the NJ ASK tests and told us today that they were "sooooo easy" (let's hope!).  She is smart, sensitive, caring and a good friend.  She makes us laugh with her silly jokes and saves us a sample of the latest delicacy she's created in cooking class...tonight, it was yummy funnel cake!

Way BackThen:

Closer to Now:

 More recent:

 Just the other day...

Yasmeen is a blessing to our family.  She is the one who made Mohammed and I parents and we are so proud of all she's accomplished so far. She has taught us how to try and be more patient and has also tested that patience.  She can argue a point better than the best lawyer out there, but she is also aware that some points are best left alone. She is pure sugar, for sure...but there's also a little spice.  She reminds me of ME so much, it's crazy! She is truly our pride & joy and we love her to bits!