Rebekah "Karunya" is 9!

trampoline fun

Making friends with a llama

She LOVED going to Awana last year

Happy after hiking to the top of Sharp Top

 Our big girl is NINE! She's feeling quite big right now too because she gets to stay up half an hour later each night. =) She's also excited about the fact that we've given her more freedom with her schoolwork, allowing her to do her work when she wants to, as long as she completes all of her assignments for a given week by Saturday. She's doing really well with it so far. She's enjoying school a lot more this way too, as she has freedom to work when she wants and play when she wants (within reason, of course!). She's our early bird, so she will often be finished with most of her independent work for the day before breakfast!

Karunya did her first research report last fall - on the Fog-Basking Beetle

Rebekah decided over two years ago that she wanted to go by her middle name, Karunya. We were all so used to calling her Rebekah (and we thought that it was probably just a phase that would pass) that it never stuck. However, now, two years later, she is still asking to be called Karunya, so we are trying to make the transition. Karunya is an Indian name meaning "merciful." We had wanted her to have an Indian name so that if she wanted at any point to use that name to identify more with India and her upbringing there, and to let others know that she is not entirely American, she could do that. Karunya has always felt very "Indian," and has always been frustrated that the Indian government does not allow her citizenship even though she was born there. =) This is her way of identifying with that part of her heritage, especially with the uncertainty of our situation right now.

Karunya is growing up so much, and I'm sure the past year has had a part to play in that. She is no longer quite as outgoing as she was at age 2 or 3, but she still loves people, and has gotten lots of practice talking to people, answering their questions, and giving them information that is useful and interesting. She's still a work in progress as far as that's concerned, but she's learning! She loves listening to (and being a part of) adult conversations. She says she finds out a lot more things in those conversations. ;)

Karunya probably wouldn't admit to or agree with this at this point in life, but her brother and sister are two of her best friends. She loves hanging out with them and doing things together. Of course she prefers to be in charge! She is definitely a firstborn who rules the sibling kingdom. =) Even so, she is gradually learning to be more sensitive and to listen to what the others think or want - sometimes even letting them have their way, and learning that she is an example to them whether she or they realize (or want) it or not!

Enjoying a walk in the snow together (with a snowball fight or two mixed in!)

Rock and shell hunting in Washington

Sweet sisters

Football/Soccer buddies

A great hiking team

One of our goals for Karunya, and one she has eagerly taken on herself, is for her to be capable of running the household on her own by the time she is 13. That means being able to do basic cooking and baking, and knowing how to do all of the household chores like laundry, dishes, ironing, cleaning bathrooms, sweeping floors, etc. She is very eager to accomplish all of this, and especially loves working in the kitchen. Recently she made a batch of banana muffins totally on her own - meaning Mom wasn't hovering over her shoulder watching, but was available in the next room if needed. She did it totally on her own, and the muffins turned out great! She was very pleased. =) Now she wants to become proficient at cooking meals on her own. She is certainly learning, but we still have a ways to go on that one yet. She's gotten quite good at cleaning bathrooms, washing dishes, folding laundry, and sweeping, and she's learning to vacuum (a skill she won't need in India, however). It is certainly nice for this Mom to have kids who are at ages where they are really starting to become a big help around the house!

Sweeping out the shed with cousin Tirzah

One of Karunya's favorite pastimes is reading. She will often hide away and read for quite awhile. She is an excellent reader, but doesn't seem to be quite as obsessive about it as her parents were at her age, which is probably a good thing. As much as she enjoys her books, she will readily lay them aside if there is a friend/cousin to talk/play with, an art project to do, or something fun to do outside.

Enjoying a good book on a beautiful fall day

Reading with cousins

 Karunya has always loved to draw/color/paint, and practices often. Many afternoons you can find the kids and I sitting in the living room, Mom reading a book aloud, and the kids drawing or coloring. Definitely a favorite family pastime!

Painting with friends

Practicing drawing with "Art for Kids" on YouTube. Our kids will spend HOURS doing these step-by-step drawings, and their artwork has improved markedly because of it.

Drawing with cousins Kyra and Jerusha

  Karunya especially loves crafts and anything remotely creative. When she was smaller, that was a challenge for this Mommy because HER doing crafts and art projects usually meant that MOM had to do most of the work! At the very least, I had to be there helping. I'm not an artsy person at all, so I wasn't very motivated. Now, however, she is very independent and can do most things on her own. Not only that, she is careful not to make huge messes and (mostly) cleans up after herself. BONUS - She can help her brother and sister when they get into a crafty mood too, and she enjoys it! I love having big kids. :)

Working on an apron with Aunty Gayle

Two of Karunya's big crafting accomplishments this past year were learning to crochet and learning to use a sewing machine. Last fall when we were doing our visiting marathon (visiting churches, supporters, family, friends, etc.), we spent some time with a 13-year-old who is great with a crochet hook! Karunya got "hooked" and started asking for crocheting supplies and lessons for Christmas. She received the supplies and YouTube and I teamed up on the lessons. She's had such fun creating crocheted gifts for various friends and family. Then in the spring we were staying with some friends who offered to help Karunya make an apron for her Grandma for Mother's Day. She got to learn how to use a sewing machine, which she loved and picked up on very quickly.

Slipper crocheting lessons from Aunty Jeannette with cousin Eirena

Working on sewing a skirt

Modeling the finished product

She is a "trash to treasure" sort of kid who would LOVE all of Pinterest's re-purposing ideas (if I allowed her to see them). I have to secretly throw trash away sometimes because if she sees it, she'll say, "Can I have that? Maybe I can use it for something." And it's true. A cardboard box, an empty tin can, an egg carton, a popped balloon, shreds of string... she will save and use as much as I allow her! The problem is that we only have so much space in which to save these things, so we usually agree that she can keep these sorts of things "for awhile." The main thing she enjoys is the actual creating of something out of the "trash." Once she is done making whatever it is, she hates to get rid of it, but usually doesn't know what to do with it. Often one of her siblings will claim it.

painting her "house"

drawing with Grandma Eileen

making little boxes out of old greeting cards

 One of Karunya's favorite things (perhaps the favorite) about being in the States this past year is the fact that she's gotten to spend so much time with her Rife grandparents and her cousin Kylie. Our home base while on the east coast has been my parents house, which is only a 15 minute drive from my sister and her family. Kylie and Karunya are only 10 weeks apart in age, and have always had a special bond. They didn't see each other from age 4 until age 8, but they didn't forget each other, and have been thrilled to be together again. Karunya has also loved spending some time with the Waldock cousins nearest her age, though we unfortunately have not been able to spend as much time with them as with those who live nearby. During all of our travels, she has had such fun getting acquainted or reacquainted with cousins, second cousins, and family friends whom she had never met or didn't remember. That's one great thing about the combination of Karunya's personality and the fact of being an MK - she can make friends with almost anyone almost instantly! The downside is that goodbyes are hard, but there has been noticeable growth for her in that area too. A year ago there would have been tears when leaving a new found friend. Now, even though she is still sad to leave, she can smile and say, "See you next time!" knowing that "next time" will probably be at least four-five years away. There are certainly pros and cons to being able to do that, but it is a necessity for the emotional stability of an MK with such a transient life!

Enjoying a walk on a brisk fall day with cousin Tirzah

Karunya and Kylie

Cassie and Karunya - they felt like good friends before they even met because Cassie is one of the younger sisters of Carleigh who lived with us in India for five months.

Reading to her admiring little cousin Rivers

Another big hit of the past year was Grandparent Camps. During most of our time in the States, we have lived with my (Rachel's) parents. Having most of their grandchildren nearby, my parents have had a weekly "Grandparent Camp," where they do different activities and field trips with the kids. They have made some great memories together, which is especially special as ALL of the grandkids will soon be living overseas.  

the Rife grandparents and grandkids

Berry picking with Grandma

Backyard cook-out and camp-out with the grandparents

Grandma and Grandpa with Karunya, Daniel, and Hannah

 Karunya was also very excited to have some "bonus" time with Grandad and Grandma Waldock. She had been used to getting to see them at least once a week in India, and missed them when we came to the States. Karunya was thrilled to have them nearby for a couple of months when they first returned to the States!

The Waldock grandparents and kids

Family picnic

Foursquare with Grandma Waldock

    Another perk to traveling the United States this past year has been that we were able to fit in a good deal of sight seeing. We intentionally chose to study American history while in the States, and we had several opportunities to take field trips to some of the places we were learning about. Last fall, while visiting supporters, family, and friends in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, we got to visit Philadelphia where we saw Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell (we were studying the American Revolution at the time, so it was perfect!), Valley Forge, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island. We discovered the Junior Ranger program that most national parks offer, so the kids have loved doing that and have learned a lot in the meantime. In May while traveling from Washington to Virginia, we were able to travel along part of the Lewis and Clark trail, and stop at some of the Lewis and Clark historical sites. That was a neat learning experience for the entire family, as we had just finished studying the Lewis and Clark expedition in school. We may not have done as much formal school work over the past year as we would have done otherwise, but Karunya has learned so much this past year! As we traveled, she had a little road atlas in the back seat with her, and would follow along in her atlas as we traveled. She not only got to learn American geography, she got to SEE it!

Redwood tree hugging

Wild Horse Monument

Hanging out with William Clark (of Lewis and Clark)

In a tepee

at the Badlands

At the National Air Force Museum

Dressing up like the Lewis and Clark explorers

Seeing if she would fit in this fish's mouth!

Hiking

 While this past year has been an exciting one for Karunya with all of our travels and getting to spend time with family, it has also been hard for her to be away from her friends and "family" in India too. There is a group of about 5 little girls all within about a year of Karunya's age who have been buddies since birth. She has missed them very much this past year. She has also missed her Waldock grandparents, and other honorary grandparents and aunties and uncles who are like family to us there. As much as she has enjoyed her time in the States, she hasn't forgotten that India is home, and is very eager to get back to her home and family there.

The first Indian grocery store we found in America - exciting for us all!

A few months before we left India, Karunya finally got proficient at riding her bicycle. Both she and I were thrilled that she could do it on her own! She's also been working hard on her swimming skills for the past couple of years, and this summer she got it down pretty well. She hasn't learned much about proper strokes yet, but she is great at staying afloat and getting where she wants to go in the pool.

In the spring we stayed with a family in the Northwest who live on the Puget Sound and own some kayaks. Karunya enjoyed kayaking several times, and got to the point where she could manage a kayak on her own quite a ways. She loves outdoor activities, and she has very much enjoyed the variety of fun things she's gotten to do outdoors over the past year.

Kayaking with Dad

Tree climbing

Sledding - and especially exciting thing as she hadn't seen snow in four years!

Trying out a climbing wall - she LOVED it and did great!

  In May and June, both Karunya and Daniel got to play on "real" football/soccer teams (soccer for the Americans, football for everyone else!). This was a very special bonus for them - a sort of consolation prize for not being able to return to India when we had originally planned. They were very sad about not being able to go back in June, but they were thrilled about getting to play on football/soccer teams. Karunya got to play on the same team as her cousin and foster cousin, so that was extra special. She had a blast learning more about how to play the game, and practicing using teamwork (i.e. staying in her part of the field and passing the ball). She loved the whole experience and would definitely do it again if given the opportunity!

We've been able to take several family hikes over the past year or so, but just last month, Karunya was able to take her first ever backpacking trip with Appa (the Kannada name for Dad that Karunya uses for Nathan). She always really enjoys our family hikes, so Nathan decided to take her on a 2 day/ 2 night backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail. They hiked a total of about 15 miles and had a great time together. Karunya said her favorite parts were spending time on the peaks they climbed - Tinker Cliffs and McAfee Knob.

Appa and Karunya heading off on the big backpacking trip

On McAfee's Knob

Our hiker girl

One last favorite pastime that I can't leave out is playing games. Karunya has loved games (board games, card games, etc.) ever since she was tiny. She is incredibly competitive (yes, she comes by it honestly!) as are all our kids, so our games make for good lessons in learning to show good sportsmanship. =) Now that she's getting older, she's enjoying more "adult" games, which makes it more fun for Mom and Dad! Her current favorite board game is Ticket to Ride.  

Playing PIT

She completed a Rubic's Cube with the help of an internet guide 

 There are so many ways in which Karunya learns and grows every year, but the neatest thing is watching her grow in godliness. She made the decision to accept Christ as her personal Savior less than a month after she turned three. At that time, while we acknowledged her decision, we didn't take it too seriously because we wanted to make sure it was genuine. However, after almost six years, she still goes back to that time as when she "got saved," and is convinced that she is a part of God's family. Also, we can see her growing to be more like Him. She is concerned about the needs of others - especially their spiritual needs. She is aware of her own sinful nature and often shares in the Apostle Paul's frustration (as I think we all do!) when she does what she doesn't want to do and doesn't do what she wants to do! She wants to do the right thing. She also took it upon herself this year to start having her own time with the Lord each morning, which is neat to see.

Karunya loves animals - especially cats

Karunya is a sweet, enthusiastic girl who, while she is growing up far too quickly, still loves to play around and be silly too. We are so very thankful for our amazing young lady who made us parents nine years ago. We love you Karunya! Happy Birthday!