Sweet 16

Lela is 16! I can't believe how time has flown by. It hasn't been all peaches n' cream, but a lot of whipping has gone on. She has been a big help to Cliff and I with the kids...sometimes a little too much that I have had to remind her that she isn't their mother. But, I know that the kids love having her around and that she loves the kids. She is always willing to watch them.

My how she has grown. She came up here not knowing that she would be staying (which led to many problems that we have had), but has adjusted quite well. A lot too well actually. When she first arrived, she was SO dependent on me to do EVERYTHING for or with her, even go to the bathroom with her at resturaunts. But, she has learned if she wants something than she needs to be proactive in asking and being able to do things all on her own. She loves to hang out though and watch movies.

One thing that I really love about her is that she is always willing to serve and help other people. She is an AMAZING babysitter as well (hence why the kids love her so much)!

Uncle Jethro came over for cake and icecream. The cake wasn't anything fancy... she said chocolate and so that is what she got. But, boy was it yummy, she ate about half of it :)


For her birthday we really didn't do much. She wanted to go to a party in the neighborhood at 7 p.m. so we had to get everything done before she left. Cliff and I played like we forgot her gift (she believed us too), but of course we didn't forget. She wanted an iPod touch, but no thanks for Cliff and I. So, we thought it best to send her up Washington to she Cliff's sisters for a week, one of them which is Lela's real sister. We know she will have fun with them and enjoy that time making memories.


Lela opening her card...she looks excited and happy about the ticket.