Getting to be Independent..

We decided to go to Jethro and Traci's ward today for Sacrament meeting because they were having the Primary program. It was an excellent program. For those of you not members, the little kids ages 3-11 give the church program once a year. It is towards the end of the year because the children have to learn lots of new songs and give little talks or say things in between the singing. It takes a lot of prep time. All but one kid had their part memorized...and that was because he gave a story from when he was little. The singing was so LOUD and CLEAR! Every word was well heard. So, what does this have to do with becoming independent.

I still had to go to my own ward to play the piano for Relief Society and I took Kalena and Tula'i with me. I dropped Kalena off at her class and then tried to take Tula'i to nursery, but he wouldn't stay so he ended up with me. At the end of Relief Society, I stopped to sign a couple of books for our presidency that was just released to let them know that they have done a wonderful job. I like Relief Society now....it is a MIRACLE!
Well, after signing the books, I went to go and pick Kalena up from her class and she wasn't there, so I went and looked for her through the whole church. After looking inside a few times and asking people if they have seen her, I decided to head outside to see if she was outside waiting for me. I didn't have the car with me because we were just going to walk home since it is not too far from the house. As, I am looking around outside for her, Cliff called me. My first question was "Is Kalena home with you?" He didn't even answer my question and proceeded to ask where I was. I told him I was looking all around the church and that I couldn't find her. He then told me that she was home and walked by herself and was happy she walked by herself. I just chuckled inside because I knew she could make it home by herself, but didn't know if she would have done it.

When I got home with Tula'i, she thought that I was mad at her. I wasn't and didn't scold her for it. I just told her I was scared because I didn't know where she was. She then told me, "I just wanted to walk by myself," and then began to cry cause she thought I was still mad. I had to explain to her again that I wasn't mad, but that next time she just needed to let me know that she was walking home so I knew where she would be instead of panic and fear starting to creep in.

I can't believe how much she is so unlike the boys. She is always the one that wants to do it herself because she is getting "older, bigger." She is one smart cookie and I am glad she knows her way home.