Rylee Clementine

Today my sweet Rylee Clementine is six years old.  It feels like just yesterday we were in the hospital, debating how Caylon was going to react to having a little sister.  My heart just exploded that day with overwhelming joy and love.

And Caylon loved being a big sister.

Through the years, I have always called Rylee my hardest child.  I realize today it is because she challenges me. She wants answers to every question no matter how obscure, and she wants me on my toes because I expect her on hers.  She is definitely an attention grabber when she warms up a bit.  Her level of intelligence at her age on life matters would amaze anyone.  When John Henry died and we were explaining death to the children, Rylee simply said "He's in heaven with Jesus riding his four wheeler".  She was four, and I was blown away.  

She remembers everyone's name and their relation to her within the first five minutes of meeting them.  Over the years, she has found several outlets.  Her favorite is music. The only child I've ever seen who loves Kiss, Van Morrison, Beatles, and her new favorite...Bon Jovi.  She is a rocker to the songs she listens to to the clothes that she picks out when she walks through the door.  She dances and flips all over the place.  She started really dancing when we got the recital DVDs that the kids watched relentlessly.  She memorized every dance no matter how hard.  She was born from a boombox in every way possible.  

She has an amazing drive about her.  I admire it.  

Happy Birthday my darling Rylee.  I can't believe you are growing up so fast on me.  I love you more than strawberries.