Happy Thirtieth, Kristal

It was a Saturday morning . . . I was nearly 39 weeks pregnant . . . and ready to be done with it, when I realized it may just be the end. I quickly threw a load of essentials, such as Julene’s favorite blanket, into the wash and packed up the things she would need to stay with her cousins.
We arrived at the hospital around noon feeling rather like it may all just be a false alarm, but I was admitted and that evening, about 8:30, another little daughter was placed into my arms. I remember looking into your face, in total awe . . . and so very happy!

We brought you home and soon you shared a room with your sister, who just adored you and tried to sing you to sleep when you cried. You wanted to be a big girl quickly, doing most things before we had a chance to even teach you, it seemed. This trait was emphasized when you became a big sister to a baby brother.

By the time we enrolled you for Kindergarten, you could hardly wait to join your sister on her walk to the school down the street. You made friends easily and sometimes tried my patience with your many social plans.

It was hard to keep you busy enough . . . violin lessons began in Kindergarten, PMCC Choir was added a few years later and piano too . . . then somewhere, in-between practices, lessons, doing homework, choir trips, braces and playing with friends . . . you became a teen-ager.

. . . and the days picked up speed . . . with school, extra curricular activities, friends and church. Often times, disappointments and joys were shared within the small space of our car . . . the place that seemed like an extension of our family room in those days. You did us proud, Kristal, by the choices you made, even though they were not always easy.

After high school we drove you down to Oregon for college. It was then that you showed us how our little girl had turned into a young lady who truly cared about others. Part of my heart stayed there with you as I could hardly wait for you to come home again.

A few years later, we saw you get your first car and head off to Azusa to sing in the choir and finish your degree. We enjoyed our trips down there, as we had often driven by that university to head to our favorite holiday destination.

I remember the call that came one day . . . the call to tell us about the special young man you'd met . . . and we went down again . . . to meet him, of course.

You were married within the year . . . which should not have surprised us by that time . . . and then graduated with a different name than the one you had enrolled with.

One of your dreams came true when you became a mommy a few years later. Again we flew down, arriving at the hospital on the same day she was born. We've repeated this several times now . . . to share in the joy with you.

Your life has added so much to ours! You have challenged us, encouraged us, and blessed us in ways we never would have dreamed. Your choices have given us many opportunities and excuses to travel and to see life and the world from another perspective. We are so proud of the young woman you have become! Ever beautiful and caring!

Happy Thirtieth Birthday, Kristal Erin!

Sending love and hugs today . . . Mom and Dad