She's 17...

My little girl turned 17 years old this past Monday.  Words could not express how happy we are to have Kaylee Renee in our family.  Kind, joyful, servant-hearted, encourager...these are just a few words to describe her heart!  She strives to be a Godly young woman and her humble heart draws her closer everyday to being just that!  

Even on her birthday, presents were filled to the brim from little ones with homemade colored cards and there very own stuffed animals that they wanted Kaylee to have.  She opened each gift so graciously as if it was her most treasured gift.  The next day, she secretly left a thank you card on each of their pillows.  They were so excited!

Since "Kaylee" is a hard word to say, occasionally Benjamin will call her "mommy."  This isn't hard for me to hear at all but rather a name she has well-deserved!  She truly is like his 2nd mommy.  In fact, many folks in our church have mentioned to me how delightful it is to watch Kaylee with the children as my helper on a Sunday morning.  I'm sure we must look like a circus act with so many littles as we are the only family in our church with a large family.  Kaylee and I hand off babies to each other and many times she juggles them all as Scott and I carry out our responsibilities of the morning.   Several couples have mentioned to me that she can do just about anything I can.  I wholeheartedly agree!  But even more than having the ability is having a heart that delights in helping, that treasures being a big sister.  Kaylee demonstrates this with grace.

For Kaylee's 13th birthday, we gave her a purity ring to remind her to keep her heart and mind pure for her future husband.  Since that time, a few of the stones have fallen out so she has not worn a ring in awhile.  Here is a picture with her new ring that we gave her for her birthday.  The ring has two hearts...one to represent her and one to represent her love relationship with her Lord.  We know that as her parents, we can encourage her to stay pure before the Lord but ultimately, this is a heart choice between her and her God!  She was so excited to receive this gift and have another ring to represent her heart for waiting on the Lord to reveal who God has in store to lead, guide and protect her as her future husband.  

Much of our effort over the years has been to encourage Kaylee to not only grow in outer beauty but to read the Word to discover what does God see as beauty in a woman.  What a joy to watch as the days and years go by, her beauty grow both inside and out!  Kaylee, I am enjoying this ride, being your mom, as the days race toward a time when YOU will be the mom.  But always remember, you will always be my little girl!  Happy Birthday, Kaylee!