17-years-old

Caitlyn turned 17 yesterday.  It is hard to believe that it was 17 years ago that I became a mom.  We didn't take pictures this year because we have this one hanging up in our front room and Caitlyn and I both love it.  We took it six months ago when we were doing Jonah's birthday pictures.  It's perfect and we don't want to replace it.

I told Caitlyn to just send me some pictures off her phone that she liked and I would use those for her birthday post.  Teenage girls always have plenty of pictures to share!

I'm constantly so impressed with Caitlyn and her wisdom and maturity.  She is so thoughtful and wise and she is very patient.  She is so willing to listen to suggestions and will usually take my advice.  I told her a while ago that when she tells me that she isn't going to do something that my immediate instinct is to force her to do it.  Now she never says she won't do something, she always says something like I really don't want to do that if that's okay with you.  When she says that my instinct is, of course Cait, you probably know best.  Smart girl!

Caitlyn is just so beautiful inside and out.  She has a glow and an energy about her that puts people at ease and helps them feel important and loved. She genuinely loves people and sees the best in them. She is very empathetic and will do anything to help the people around her. 

Caitlyn is hilarious.  She says the funniest things and she tells the best stories.  Her goal in life is to make Jonah laugh and his goal in life is to not laugh at her jokes.  Unfortunately for Jonah, she is too funny and she can usually get him to laugh. Everyone loves to be around Caitlyn because she is so much fun and makes everyone laugh.

I love the pictures she picked out to send me, Ha!

Caitlyn is very motivated and such a hard worker.  She pushes herself in school, sometimes too much.  She knows what she is capable of and she is willing to work for it. She has worked hard at her job and done a great job there.  They are going to promote her to shift lead soon.  Everyone at work loves her and she has made some good friends. 

Caitlyn is the best sister!  She is so kind and always willing to play with her siblings and take an interest in what they are interested in.  She always gives them hugs and tells them that she loves them.

Caitlyn is going to prom in a few weeks with her friends and we found this dress for her and it is perfect! She looks and feels beautiful in it. Caitlyn loves clothes and jewelry.  She has been curling her hair for school lately and it looks so pretty. 

Caitlyn loves to listen to music and likes all kinds, but especially country.  She is organized and clean and likes to clean out her room often.  Caitlyn is really good with money.  She has saved most of the money she has earned so far and is planning to keep saving so she will have enough for college.  I have to remind her to enjoy being a kid and that it's okay to spend her money sometimes! 

Caitlyn is very spiritual and views everything through an eternal lens.  She has a strong testimony and it is rooted in Jesus Christ.  She has a very strong moral compass and really tries to follow Jesus Christ and become like Him.  She is a good example to all of us.  I could go on and on about Caitlyn, she is simply amazing.  We couldn't ask for a better first child.  She is patient and forgiving of us as we figure this parenting thing out.  She is so complimentary and grateful for me and Keith and tells us often.  We absolutely love being her parents!