At the risk of ruining all things good and pure I'm going to brag on the middle kid. Bragging makes me nervous because the person being bragged on usually does something dumb immediately following their accolades. Bragging is also pride's loud cousin and nobody likes the loud cousin, but I've still got to tell you what Hallie did. 

First let me mention that Rylie, our youngest who's soon to be eleven , has naturally, been anxious to enter the halls of middle school. I'm nervous for her. Those were the years of heartbreak, messy notebooks I couldn't keep up with and girl drama. It's when math got tough and the time I was introduced to Oxy Pads which didn't phase the acne that was becoming comfortable on my forehead. 

It wasn't all bad. I fell in love with my big hair and Rave hairspray. I roamed the halls between classes like a boss buying forty cent packages of Lance peanut butter and crackers from the vending machine at ten in the morning. 

With a pencil, numbers and some folded paper we'd learn our fortune. We'd find out if we'd get to marry Patrick Swayze or that kid in our class who was still three inches shorter than us. We'd learn if we would have twins or 100 kids. 

Hallie would tell you her middle school days remind her of her bad haircut, the unwelcome makeup lessons I gave her and her obsession with feather earrings and One Direction.

Middle school was and is a crazy time full of fun, mystery and challenge. And change. 

Hallie, our fifteen year old decided a couple of weeks ago that Rylie shouldn't face the days ahead unarmed and uninformed. So she had this brilliant idea that we should make Rylie a middle school handbook. 

Sharing my impulsive gene, the moment Rylie was away at camp, Hallie and I went straight to the store and bought a notebook, some colored pencils and tabs. We set up workshop scrawling various words of advice and encouragement for Rylie.

  We texted a few family members and friends asking them to email us a letter or words to live by. We printed, and then glued those in. I can't tell you how much fun it was to reflect on the "good old days" and even the experiences of those days that weren't so good. We agreed that the "worst days ever" that we lived during those years have either dimimished in importance or have made their mark as a learning trophy. 

Here were some of the subjects in Rylie's book:

• Fitting in
• Friends
• Boys
• Teachers/Grades
• Big days
• Your family
• Secrets
• When you're lonely
• When you feel far from God
• When you need a laugh
• When you're insecure
• Social Media/phone etiquette 
• Embarrassing stuff 
• General advice 
• Scripture 
• Coupons 

Today we took her to eat sushi and then gave her the book.

 I don't have to tell you that it was a special time. Rylie has already asked us to write more about things like "Dances". We plan on adding to the book.  

In the years ahead there will be fears, feats and foes; days of celebration and tears. But she'll have her book. And she'll remember that she has us. 

If you have a fun memory from your middle school days or a word of advice send it to me and we'll add it in. kristiburden@gmail.com

(If you know an upcoming middle schooler or a kid entering a new chapter this is something you can do for them too.) (Or ask us for a copy. We'd give it to you. Seriously. We think it's that great of a thing).