Kalai's 16

I met Kalai when she was 10.  It's hard to believe she's 16, entering her junior year of high school next year.  She is a very special young lady who loves adventure, is learning more about how much she loves art, is aware of the feelings of others, doesn't want to settle for mediocrity, loves to learn about the "why's" of politics and spiritual things, and most of all, is growing in her life as a Christian.  Sometimes she doesn't say a lot and then we have some amazing conversation and I see how her love for Christ is deepening and how she desires to serve God and live in a Godly way. 

We have our difficult moments as she learns to grow up gracefully and I learn to parent in a wise way.  We have a ways to go, but I'm so thankful for her and am looking forward to our relationship taking on new dimensions in the future.

I recall with fond memories Kalai walking around on her hands and knees acting like a "cat," Kalai attacking me each night with tickling (until I was pregnant with Levi), Kalai bringing humor to an otherwise depressing situation, Kalai going with me to pick out my wedding dress, Kalai wearing her knitted blue and white crochet hat all the time, and Kalai's special hugs and smiles.  She's growing up and we wouldn't have it any other way.  I miss the little Kalai but am enjoying seeing the young woman she's becoming.  My deepest prayer for her is to allow God to overtake her life in every way as she steps into adulthood.  For her to learn to trust His wisdom and goodness and to make choices that honor her Heavenly Father.  Of these I have great confidence and hope!

We celebrated her birthday with a taco salad meal, a few friends, and some roller skating.  She, of course, wanted an ice cream cake.  Here's our birthday girl.