Aunt Kilah's Graduation

On May 11, 2013 Aunt Kilah graduated from high school. This girl has got to be one of the sweetest, smartest, kindest, hard-working seniors to ever graduate. She achieved so much in her years of high school, and was an example to so many. She was president of many organizations throughout high school, earned multiple awards for her academic excellence, played piano for church most Sundays, taught a weekly CCD class with young children, all while earning top notch grades. Proud, is an understatement.

Not only did I get to hear one of my dear sisters give a valedictorian speech, I got to hear them both give speeches. I remember how special Karinne's was, and Kilah's did not disappoint either. Mom must have been just beaming with pride. I am sure of it.

LA had a great weekend back home, and got to meet lots of family for the first time. She hardly took naps the entire weekend because she didn't want to miss anything. But she did so good, and despite being overly tired, was hardly even fussy! When there is attention to be had, this girl has to make sure she doesn't miss out on one ounce of it. I've mentioned before that this girl is loved, but let me say it again. This. Girl. Is. Loved.

One of my favorite pictures of Peanut this weekend.

Just eatin' up all the lovin' from her Roo.

Roo and I made tons of jello shots the night before,
which were a big hit!

 

Giving her valedictorian speech -
SO proud of you.

Couldn't go without a blowout in the middle of the ceremony -
so we bared it all and cleaned it up...against Daddy's wishes :)

Receiving our flowers from our very special graduate.

This little girl was such a good girl!

The guest book table

One of my all time favorite pictures of Kilah
from when she was little. She was just the cutest!

The school gives out top achiever awards to one person in each major subject,
and usually they are all given to different people. But this year Kilah
took home 7 of the 7 awards that were given out, in all of the subjects.
As far as I know, this is the first and only time this has ever been done.
Way to go, girlfriend!

Her piano cake, made by Carri Hall (my dad's nurse).

She had more scrapbooks than she knew what to do with, some made by
herself, some by Joyce, and some by Grandma Wert.

Absolutely beautiful. Inside and out.

 

Suz and I with our girls. Such a dear friend.

Couldn't forget a family picture :)

All of the Deaver cousins!

One of my favorite pictures of the 3 of us. Love you both so very much.

Kilah and her girl...the one time she actually
slept the whole weekend (if but an hour).
 

Dad put all of Kilah's trophies together and made a display :)

Kilah and her friends, Rachelle and Breanna.

Moe, Emily and Jewels sitting around the fire.

Lennie and Joyce hosted a pretty awesome party for Kilah. All of her friends
stayed and had smores around the fire and sat and talked. What a great celebration.

Lennie and his (younger) brothers.

The Deaver boys with their daughters (missing Karlie & Kendal).

We were pretty in pink together!

 

Lovin' their smores!

Aunt Roo and Uncle J

Little Missy should have been in bed but was instead
up hammin' it up with Great Grandma Marilyn.

 

Kilah and her friends all had a sleepover. Photobomb courtesy of Grandpa. I
think he had too many jello shots ;)

Dan and Grandpa had to rile them all up.

Snug as bugs and ready for bed.

Two sweethearts.

Again, supposed to be in bed, and still hammin' it up.
It was around midnight by this time.

Lovin' her Roo while opening presents
Sunday after church.

LA and Great Grandma Deaver.

Give this girl a set of wheels and she's off!
And loving every minute of it!

 

My cup runneth over. We had a fabulous weekend back home with family. My heart is already sad that that was our last family graduation :(

 

Kilah Dear, I am so very proud of you and all that you have accomplished. Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings' end and I cannot wait for you to start the next chapter of your life. You have become a beautiful young woman inside and out, who is adored and respected by all who know you, and I have no doubt that you will continue that as you go to college. Keep shining your light in all that you do, and you will go far. Congratulations on achieving the goal that you have been working hard for for the past 18 years, and doing it so well. Your hard work has paid off. I just know that Mom must have had a big smile on her face that beautiful day as she watched from the best seat of all. What an honor it is to know and love you as not only my baby sister, but a dear friend as well. Most of all, don't ever forget how much I love you and how very, very proud of you I am.

 

Love,

     Kait