Karleah is 12?!?!

How does time go by so fast? Why does it just get faster as I get older? (NOT that I'm old...) I am so blessed to have this child in my life. I realize that sounds snobby since I'm the one that raised her and you'd think I have had a big part in helping mould her into the person she is.... But seriously, this kid is amazing and I'm not sure how much I've had to do with that. It takes a village LOL

When Karleah was born, I remember falling asleep dreaming about her tiny face, hands, feet, and the dimple in her chin. I remember waking up and immediately thinking "I'm a mom!" and when she was 6 days old, we had an appointment to refinance our home (yep, pretty poor planning) and somebody referred to us as a "family" and it melted my heart. We weren't just a "couple" we were "a family." I almost cried.

At 2 she insisted on throwing away every tiny shred of wrapping paper or tape before she would tear more paper to get to her gift. It was the funniest thing.

When she turned 4, we were getting ready to move from our first home and she was preparing to be a big sister. She was thrilled to finally have a turn to have a sibling, since all her cousins had them. She was just glowing the first time she held Nathanael, and she couldn't stop boasting to her preschool friends and primary classmates.

When Karleah was 7 she had to learn a tough lesson when her Grandpa passed away very suddenly. I was in such shock when it happened, and I am sure I handled things very poorly, but she was so brave and strong. She was told that she'd have to help her siblings remember Grandpa because they were all too young to have any memories. Three weeks later, her aunt passed away, and I believe she was a silent supporter for the cousins that lost their mom. I was in awe at her strength and calm love for those around her, even when her own heart was hurting.

On her 8th birthday, Karleah knew she wanted to get baptized. I was careful to tell her that it was a choice, and I didn't want her to do it because her cousins/friends did. She had to make that choice, and explain WHY she made the choice. Her spirit shone through, and again I was in awe of my little girl. At her baptism, she strengthened my testimony in many ways, but especially when she told me she felt her Grandpa and Aunt Julie with her that day.

At 10 Karleah was given a low blow to find out her parents wouldn't be living together anymore. She cried, and cried, and yet she found a strength to comfort her siblings when they didn't understand. She struggled with some of the things that went on. She had to move away from the only home she knew, she had to give up time with some amazing friends and neighbors. She had to redefine her eternal family, and yet she was my rock on many occasions.

Now my "baby" is 12. She went from a tiny 7 lb 9 oz baby with dark curly hair to a tall, slender, brown straight-haired beauty. Her dimples can brighten my day. Her smile gives me strength on my worst days. Tonight I took her out for some one-on-one time. We saw a movie, walked around the mall, and went to dinner. At the movie she was sweet and gently. At dinner, she was silly and fun. She got a scone and slowly tore it apart and threw the pieces at me. Then she got cotton candy and was pretending it was her friend/pet as she patted it and talked to it. Then apologized that it was going to be in her stomach soon, and then eventually in the toilet. I think I laughed through most of dinner.

I reminded her then, and I want to remind her publicly now that she should never be afraid to show ANY of that to others. If they don't like it, they don't deserve to be in her life. She is beautiful, talented, kind, funny, imaginative, caring, and she is a peacemaker. I can't imagine being caught up in so many arguments! She comes home telling me about fights her cousins had, or her classmates, and how she stepped in and helped them all out. Yep, I get to call her "mine".

Happy birthday my first born. MY child. Thank you for reminding me of all the good in the world, and for brightening my days.