#Sweet16

Kemper. Kempies. Peanut. Peanut butter. I don’t know why I have always called her peanut butter but it started when she was just a few weeks old and stuck. Maybe it’s because I just loved gobbling her up with kisses when she was a baby– like I love peanut butter sandwiches– I don’t know. But there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t absolutely love my little Kempies. Who…isn’t so little anymore.

She’s grown up so fast. Personally, I think she and Glory look the most like me when I was a kid. Kemper has my exact nose. She has my freckles. My teeth. She has her Aunt Laura’s and father’s physique and athletic talent and drive. Kemper was captain of both her varsity cross country team and varsity swim team this year. AS A SOPHOMORE. She has a sense of reasonable-ness. Kemper is so reasonable compared to so many of us under this roof that are sometimes a little off our rockers. She reacts calmly under pressure. She has roll-a-bility…she can roll with the punches of life and keep moving forward. And she has a competitive spirit and determination that is unwavering. Kemper doesn’t play around when it comes to sports. She comes to win. And man do I love to watch her compete.

She turned 16 yesterday and since she will be spending the next two days with her father at the the United States of America Track and Field Junior Olympics, I grabbed her for the day and we had a special date. Usually, a sixteenth birthday in our house means a trip to Sephora. But since Javi, our favorite makeup artist was not working on this particular afternoon, we made plans to go visit him next week. Kemper and I enjoyed lunch at Bolay– where the entire restaurant erupted in song for her. Then we went shopping for a bit and went to see a movie. After swim practice, we went back with her sisters and saw a second movie. Because we are Rebacks and we love MOVIES!

Today she’ll be heading off to another race with Glory and her dad. I’ll miss her like crazy and wish that more than anything we could ALL go see her compete this weekend.

But mostly I just thank the Lord everyday that this little peanut, who was so INCREDIBLY difficult to carry in the womb (she would literally kick so hard I would crumple!) is now out there on the field kickin’ it every day as she runs, bikes, and swims her way towards her goals. It is an absolute joy to behold. And Kemper is an absolute joy in our lives.