Happy 14th Birthday, Kayla!

 

Happy Birthday, sweet daughter.  You turned 14 this year and I'm still in disbelief.  How in the world do I have a beautiful, accomplished, graceful, intelligent, kind 14 YEAR OLD?

You  enjoy playing volleyball with your friends, cousins, and even at time, your sisters.  This year you told me early in the summer that you wanted to just play for fun, not worry about the school team.  I was so proud of you for looking at your priorities and deciding which things you want to pursue more seriously and which things you want to pursue as hobbies.  You were still courageous enough to try out for the team just to see how your skills were developing and what you could work on on your own for fun. This was challenging, I know, because there were a lot of you who were on the cusp and despite the fact that you really want to pursue your dance more seriously, it is still difficult to bravely try out for something and not make the team. I am so proud of your courage and your heart. 

You did get to enjoy a really fun volleyball tournament this summer with your cousin 

You long to be a big sister again, but have settled into being an awesome "big cousin".  You have had quite a few new nieces and nephews in the past year or so, and there are more coming! You adore getting to hold all the babies!

See what I mean?

You love hot cocoa. Random piece of information there, I know, but I had to share because I love that you have your sweet, warm comfort beverage and that you sit and enjoy it when you need a moment to relax.  You and I have been watching Once Upon a Time together and it's also part of our show watching experience to have hot cocoa with whipped cream and cinnamon like they do in the show.  

 

You really enjoy a good puzzle.  When Uncle Kevin's family came last Winter, he set up a puzzle contest.  Each team had the same puzzle and had to do it as fast as possible to see which group would finish first.  It was really fun and you especially enjoyed it. 

You don't love the cold nor the hot, you are very much a spring and fall girl in that way.  You will brave the cold for a good sledding trip and the hot for a fun pool day, but mostly you like to cozy up with a blanket and slippers when the cold weather sets in. 

Last year you were in the school choir with a few of your friends and it was so fun to see you develop more of a love for singing and music during that time. 

You have a special bond with your littlest sibling, Kolbe. You are a huge help with him when I need it and since he was little you have always loved on him.  That doesn't mean he doesn't drive you up the wall sometimes because he's a 7 year old boy, so he certainly does at times. 

You are excelling in school and can often be found reading.  You read new books you've never tried, and you re-read books that you've already read over and over. 

 

You are taking dance every day and working to get en pointe. You now take many different styles of dance including ballet, tap, Irish, contemporary, and lyrical.  In addition you participate in a number of technique and strengthening classes, so you are officially at the stage of dancing where you practically live at the studio each evening.  You are graceful and beautiful and we love to see your face light up as you perform.  You even choreograph dances for your siblings and friends and help them perform mini recitals. 

You love the great outdoors as well though this is one thing we need to work at making more of a priority.  It is so peaceful and calming to get out in nature to reset. I'm grateful I sometimes get to do it with you.  There's nothing like being out in God's big, beautiful creation with you. 

You are an awesome Christ-filled daughter.  Never lose sight of the things that truly matter.  I'm so grateful for each and every moment we have together and I can't wait to travel with you on our grand European adventure when we can make it happen.