Sweet Sixteen (And A Quarter)

My little girl turned SWEET SIXTEEN back in  November.  What a beauty she is...inside and out.

Kari Calamari,


Remember when you would sit in front of your little dresser and pull out outfit after outfit?  You were only 7 months old, but I knew then that having a daughter would be one of the most amazing rides of my life.  I wasn't wrong.


Remember when we would sit in bed and have our 'private' talks?  I would ask you if anything was heavy on your heart and being only 4, usually the heaviest thing on your heart would be about Lucky's ear coming undone.


Remember when you would listen to Gospel Duck in Gramita's van and recite the sinners prayer at the end?  I know that you can't really recall the exact moment when you asked Jesus into your life, but I love knowing how the seeds were being planted in you all the time.


Remember the night before I married Dad when you spent the night with me and my bridesmaids at the hotel?  You were the prettiest little 6 year old I had ever laid eyes on.  I knew that the next night, everything would be different.  I wondered how you would adjust to a new dad and seeing Mom married.  Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined you would have fallen just as in love with Dad as I did.  And, he, with you.


Remember the time your best friend broke your heart?  How I longed to take on every ounce of hurt and every tear that fell.  Being a preteen can be so hard, but it meant so much to me that you confided in me and that you were so open to hear what I had to say.  I believe that incident made you stronger, and helped mold you into the most amazing, trustworthy, thoughtful, caring, selfless, loyal, best friend that any girl could EVER ask for!


Remember the time that we all went to the sonogram together on Christmas Eve, 2008?  You were 15 and had been praying for a little sister for as long as you knew how to pray.  When the technician announced it was a girl, I thought of you and how now you would have your Isabella to my Amanda.  What a blessing.


Remember when Belle was born?  You got to hold her first.  And, I believe you held her for an hour straight.  You still haven't put her down.  I am so blessed she has you as her big sister.  There isn't a better one around!


Remember the day of your sweet sixteen party, when you put on your pretty sparkly dress, straightened your hair, put on your lipgloss, and my heart skipped a beat?  OK...maybe you don't remember that, but I will never forget it.  How I was overwhelmed with the gift God had given me in you, my daughter, my best friend.  I couldn't help but think that you were one of the treasures that I would have with me one day in Heaven, for all eternity, since you came to know Jesus as your Lord and Savior.  And, how proud of you I was as you made your public declaration to serve Him when you were baptized.  Also, how deeply it touches me that you have such a servants heart at home, at church, and towards anyone you meet.  My heart skips 2 beats, Kari, just witnessing my little girl, on a daily basis,  growing into the Godly young woman you are.  


You, Karizma, have a very special place in my heart.  I love you and am looking forward to all the wonderful things I can look back on and remember as you continue to grow in the Grace of God.  Continue to live for Him and all the days of your life will be blessed.


Iloveyou a kazillion-kamillion, Mamas,
Mom
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*Thanks, to Julia at photojulia.com, for taking such amazing pictures of our baby girl, above.

**Thanks to everyone that came out to Karizma's party and loved on her.  You all made this such a special night for her.  Each and every single one of you has taken the time to love on her and Miguel at some point or another, and may God bless you for taking the time to be kind, be loving, and friends to our children.  We love you all.

l-r: Miguel, Brianna, Whitney, Hannah, Karizma, Amy, Steph, and Tony

Watching all the adults hit the pinata was so fun!

I love how Kaylee is giving Miguel specific instructions on how to make this easy on her

Love you, Sus

l-r: Dan, Brian, and Pastor Steve

Kari's girls: Hannah, Steph, Amy, and Whitney

One of our favorite couples, Kaylee and Bill with  Miguel

l-r: Tony, Mary, Susan, and Brianna

Bella with her Auntie Kelley and Uncle Chris

Zack enjoying a cupcake with Grandad

l-r: Dave, Sherry nursing Karizma's 'adopted son'-Samuel, and Auntie Tam

Karizma's main man, Dad and her lovely Grandmom



Next sweet sixteen will be Isabella Grace's...only 14 1/2 years to go!