A week full of mixed emotions

This is my beautiful 18 year old daughter Katherine.

She is small for her age.

My wonderful Kj has officially moved out of the house. I have missed her for the last 4 months, but somehow I miss her more now. I am glad that I get to see her, Kayla and Karen in just a few days. Very glad.

But it is also hard to know that Katherine is not coming with us.

Let me tell you about her:

She is what we call "spicy." She always has been. She has been full of life and passion and determination since she was an infant. She is never ever boring. She is smart, but more importantly she is wise. I do not know many 18 year olds with the wisdom she has. Sure, she still has some growing to do, but she is ahead of many people I know that are 10 years older than her.

She has been saying for years (mostly when we were playing our "the strictest parents I know" role) that she was going to move out when she turned 18. She was not saying it disrespectfully, just factually. We would often remind her that she was still going to be in High School when she turned 18. That did not stop her. My lovely girl moved out of the house on Friday. She graduates this Thursday.

While I wish she were moving with us, I more than understand why she is not. If she is not going to be with us, there is no better place on the planet for her to start her adult life than in Santa Rosa. With family and friends and Spring Hills nearby, Karen and I know that she will have a lot of local support. We are also happy with the place she is staying.

I am having a hard time seeing the computer screen right now, so I will just say that I am so proud of my girl. I cannot imagine being more proud. She loves the Lord, she loves her family, she loves her church, she loves her friends. And as always, she is passionate.