eight.

For those who don't know, eight is a big age to turn in our church. Keia is going to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in two weeks. Keia has grown up so much. She has officially told me that she, "is so into money". In fact for her birthday this year, she did not want a party, she just wanted money to go buy things for her American Doll girl. One day she handed me a bunch of letters in envelopes saying they were for the family. Keia had written my parents, sisters, Matt's mom, and brother all a letter reminding them it was her birthday and that she would like 20-30 bucks. This girl knows what she wants, therefore she is now earning money for her allowance and learning to budget. So for her actual birthday, we went on a date to the movies, shopping for some clothes (which typically she does not care about), lunch at her favorite restaurant, then a sleepover just the girls at my mom's house. It was a really fun and special day- I don't think I have too many birthdays left where she wants to hang out with her mom all day. At 8, Keia is still very independent, a leader- and knows how to get her way with her siblings, obedient, analyzer, competitive, and smart. Sometimes her persistence to get her way drives me crazy, but then I know she isn't easily persuaded. In fact, we had a neighbor boy (6) who can be a rascal, took some treats from a neighbor's doorstep and started eating them, he told Keia to take some of the treats, but she said it was wrong and wasn't choosing the right. In those moments, I am so grateful for her strong personality and pray that it will be a gift in her life, not an obstacle. I am grateful that she loves to still be held close and at this point is still so innocent. Here is a picture of Miss Keia waking up on her birthday getting to eat a sugary cereal she chose...she loves Reeses!