LOVE at 16

“Since love grows within you, so beauty grows. For love is the beauty of the soul.” 

Saint Augustine

necklace can be found here!!!

I have been wanting to do a "16" photo shoot with Hailey since she turned 16 back in Feb.  At the time, I really thought she would think I had lost my mind.  She will smile for photos with her family and friends but doing her own shoot was something I thought she's say "NO WAY!" to. 
But, when I mentioned it to her yesterday and she got very excited!! 
I told her some things I wanted to do and she was really happy about it.
  I was SO EXCITED!!


So yesterday we went out for a practice shoot.
 (and I love the photos so much that I am gonna use lots of them.) 
In the end, she had a great time and enjoyed photo editing so much that she decided she had to approve of all final edits. She loves photo editing.
(that's my favorite part too)

I don't know why I was so surprised when she was happy about the idea of a shoot.  She's happy about everything these days.  She is doing better, talking more, smiling and laughing more than EVER.  She is so grown up I can't stand it.  I see all of this growth and I often wonder who else notices. 
(these changes to others may seem small, but they are HUGE to us.) 
She's been so "shy" for so long that most people just sort of give up on trying to talk to her and get to know the other three.
 (Cause they won't stop talking.)
BUT-
Two different coaches...at two different times...came up to me last week and told me how FANTASTIC she is doing.  They said she is communicating a ton and that she's happy all day AND that she is doing some incredible gymnastics.  Suzie said, "Whatever your feedin that kid, keep giving it to her cause she is on fiyah!"
(and sweet Brigitte said ALL kinds of good stuff about her beam and floor.  she even said her vault is really powerful right now!!!) 
I am so happy for her.  I really think her school change next year is a good move.  I pray that she continues to be happy.
 Cause when she is happy...she is extra sparkly BEAUTIFUL.

(She still wants to do some railroad track shots, too...so hopefully we will get the chance to do that soon.)