Lately You**.....

.....have started keeping a diary. You write in it daily, sometimes several times a day. You are very adamant about others staying out of it. It even has a lock on it. Although, sometimes you lose the keys and are sure someone has taken them so they can read your private thoughts only to realize you hid them somewhere new.

.....are becoming a young lady whether I like it or not. You want to be able to walk to school and home by yourself, assuring me that you know how to get home and can make sure Noah gets home safely, too. You are requesting more alone time and spend it writing in your diary or writing letters to your BFF, Amberly.

.....enjoy doing a lot of different things. You will dance and then want to swim, to come in to draw and then want to take a walk or ride your bike or scooter. You do not mind chilling on the computer on Webkinz or Ty.com or watching something on TV, but you would rather be doing something outside or something that gets you moving. I really hope you can start dance this year.

.....are not afraid to say exactly what you are thinking or feeling. Even if it is hurtful or disrespectful, you will say it and then have to rethink what you've said, say your sorry or say something else. You are also quick to say "I love you", even to Noah and when you compliment someone, you are very sincere. You are working on thinking before you speak, which is something I still need to work on, too.

.....starting to realize that boys aren't icky. You are currently crushing on The Jonas Brothers, Kris Allen, the Youth Director at our church, the Children's Minister at our church and a friend of Devin's at our church. (If you are a single lady in MD, reading this blog come check out our church. We have some good looking single guys =) But, your first crush is still your daddy and you are very much in love with him. You are constantly making sure he is okay when he is home and do not like it if I tease him. You are still very much his little girl.

.....are loyal to your siblings. You will fight with them, but be the first to defend them or hug them. You are so going to miss Devin, but were so brave when she left. You are so excited that Noah will be at school with you this year and you like it when Cody has late practice so he can pick you up from school. When Josh comes by to visit you love to swim with him or just hang out with him and Ashley.

.....love to help in the kitchen. If someone is cooking, you come in, wash your hands and ask how you can help. You especially love cracking eggs. It doesn't matter what I am cooking you want to be involved. You have entered several of the cooking competitions at church and even won once! You have even decided what you are making for the next one. You also like making breakfast for you and Noah and have graduated from cereal to PB&J toast.

.....are searching spiritual things in a deeper way. When you pray, it is like listening in on a conversation with you and a Close Friend. You are figuring out what your relationship is with Jesus and what it should be. After watching Amberly get baptized on Sunday you have been asking questions and working through your thoughts and feelings about taking that next step of obedience. I am so thankful that you are not just choosing to do something because your BFF did it.

.....make me so proud to be your Momma. You are a beautiful girl with a big heart. You love to be at church, not just to be with your friends, but to worship and be part of something bigger. You still love to have schedules and know what is going on, but do not mind asking to extend a bedtime or change something so you can get your way. You want things to be fair for everyone, but especially for yourself. You have a natural desire to learn and love finding new ways to do things.

You, Kari Bear, are my favorite 2nd grader. I can't wait to see what the rest of this year holds for you.