birthday shouts.

it's my little sister's sweet 16 today and i never thought i'd see the day!

i took her to cheesecake factory to celebrate on saturday. i almost slapped somebody because of the disastrous customer service. amanda had to calm things down by explaining the situation to the hostess and manager while i stood there fuming and giving them dirty looks. it's kind of funny now that i think of it, but i was so impressed with amanda's maturity and her ability to diffuse the situation. it was at that moment i realized what a wonderful person she's growing up to be (and what a horrible role model i am, haha).

after dinner we walked around Anaheim Gardenwalk and enjoyed the art on the walls. we talked, we laughed, and i was reminded how lucky i am to watch her walk the path that has been made especially for her. it's funny because just the night before i had a dream about her as a baby. her cute little chubby cheeks and big eyes were so vivid that i could feel her baby face on my fingertips. in my dream she was the toddler i remember following me around and copying my every move. her big dark eyes looked up at me and i could feel her vulnerability... then the dream ended.

i can't explain how it feels to watch my sisters grow up - it's different from watching my friends grow older around me. when i think of their rapid growth my heart swells with pride, my eyes swell with tears, and my soul quietly sings a song of thanks to God for creating them. i pray that He will protect them when i can't and give them a happiness that only they can know. and today, i pray that my little sister will have the greatest 16th year of her precious life because she deserves all that and more.

xo.