"I like it when I feel bored...."

"...because then I know my options for what to do next are wide open."
- Jayla Deutsch

My face. I can't stop it from turning into a silly, wide grin when I think of these words she shared with me. They are just so Jayla.

My Jayla. The fun, talented, crafty, original, witty, insightful, goofy, helpful, girl who was born an old soul and is wise decades beyond her age. How much do I love this child? I couldn't express it. Words fail. Already at barely 11 years old, she is a dear, dear friend to me. I pray it will always be so.

Patient and gracious with her siblings, without being asked, she takes on a very nurturing role with them (as well as all other younger kids!). They are never at a loss for what to do with their biggest sister around. Forever playing something, she will continually think of a new clever idea to occupy them all.

As I think about my first baby girl, one of the things I love most about Jayla is she spends next to no time trying to fit in. I don't know if it's a benefit of homeschooling, or just her nature, but a true individual, she marches to the beat of her own drum. Quick to make friends with all kinds of people, she wastes no energy in an effort to be most popular. I can't tell you how happy this makes me as she gets older and the pressure to conform grows.

She has an art teacher at school that she is enamored with, a young woman who says "phooey" is the most dreadful word one should dare to utter, wears long skirts every day for comfort, shoots at moths in her apartment with a sling shot, and makes the design of a tree with duct tape on the side of her dresser. This teacher is wonderfully unique - endearingly quirky. Jayla talks about her all.the.time. And again, I have to smile. She reminds me of someone else I know. I pray it will always be so.

Sweet Jayla, your light shines so brightly. May it never grow dim.

God has blessed me tremendously, with the most precious gift of you. ♥

Happy 11th year baby.

The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.