March 23, 2013- 7 years old going on 20 :)

Hi Karlie,
You are in 1st grade right now and for the past week you were Star of the week!  You were soooo excited.  Unfortunately Luke got sick with a high fever and has strep throat so he can't go to school and dad is in mexico so I can't come to be with you either.  I did make it there on Friday though and I read a book to your class about Walrus and tooth aches and going to the dentist.  You got to sit on my lap and then the class asked me questions about myself.....We made cupcakes the night before and decorated them for Easter, you said it was your favorite thing to do and you just LOVE baking lately.  You like eating most of the batter is what you like doing ;)  I went out with you for recess and watched you play and do the zip line and the new toys that the school got this year.  You were on cloud nine and so happy.  I treasure these days b/c you just love me so much lately. 

With dad being gone in mexico I get to do my favorite thing and that is sleep with my 2 little buddies every night and we all crawl into moms bed.  You both do not go to bed very well or quickly but that is one of my most treasured times.  You tell me so many stories and I get to hear about your day and your dreams...I am VERY encouraged about your prayers this year, you are making them more personal, I told you that you need to treat God like a friend and tell him whatever is on your heart b/c he will listen to you.  Right now you pray for:
friends at school that are sick
for your many blessings
to heal grandpa and make him stronger
for the right dog for our family, and at the right time
for luke to get better
thanks for the good day at school and recess

For school you had homework come home the other night and it said "IF I WERE PRESIDENT".....You wrote in "I would want everyone to know and believe in God and not have any idols".  It brought tears to my eyes and made me sooo proud.  This year I cannot believe the personal growth I have seen in you in your relationship with God and your actual understanding of it!!! I swear you know more than I ever did!!!  I really think that you are getting it!!! The stuff you say and do just blows me away and I can do nothing but be on my knees in thanksgiving to God for helping you see Him!!!  Your favorite songs are "the Perfect ten" which is all about the 10 commandments.  "steal my show" which is another christian song about God being the show not our lives, you both LOVE chris tomlin "where you go I go".  I try my best to ALWAYS have wcsg on in the car and that only b/c even Luke is now singing the songs and words.  You love it and try to teach him new songs often.

You had your first FATHER DAUGHTER DANCE at school and you were sooooooooo excited.  Alexa did your hair and we bought you a new dress, dad went dirtbiking during the day and was stressed out b/c his bike had issues and seemed to take it out on mom when he got home and didn't let me take any pictures of you together.  You got to go in a limo bus, make a craft and decorate a picture frame, thank goodness they took a picture of you together for mom!!! you danced and had an icecream social.  Dad even said that he had alot of fun and enjoyed the night with you.  You guys were gone for 4 hours and you couldn't stop talking about it!!! You were soooo proud and happy.

Right now your mission is trying to find a dog and the right dog and a dog that dad will let us have.  You write notes about it all the time, you even pray for it at school (I see a list of personal prayers when you get home from teacher) you write stories about it....You want a dog soooooooooo bad.  I am working on that one!  :)  You love gymnastics and are getting really good but you are scared and if you get hurt at all, your done.  You are quite a drama :)

I love you soooooooooooo much Karlie joy!!! You truly are a JOY just like your name says, to me, dad, and everyone that knows you!!! I keep praying for your little heart and the right friends and that you love the Lord with all your heart, mind and soul.