Give Me Five!

My Favorite,

I am so, so proud of you, my darling daughter. Today, on your fifth birthday, as my heart overflows with love and joy, I wanted to share my thoughts.. 

Just a few short weeks ago, you made the most important decision you will ever make, and that is to ask Jesus into your heart. At first I thought you were too young to understand, but then as we talked more and more, I realized that you were indeed ready, and you grasped what it meant to start the most important relationship of your young life. I have never felt such peace as I did in that moment, knowing that one day, no matter what happens here on earth, we will be reunited in heaven. I can admit that even today I still cannot fully comprehend the amazing grace and sacrifice of Jesus, but that first moment of surrender to Him is but a beautiful starting point of a lifelong journey. 

Although everything else that has happened this past year pales in comparison to that decision, you have done some incredible things as a 4 year old. This year, I gave you a reading placement test with our school's new reading program. I knew you were reading, and reading well, but I was shocked to see that you tested at a 3.5 grade level. I am simply amazed by your intellect. Your daddy and I have always known that you were incredibly bright, but to see your performance at school this year, I am so proud. You are also quick to smile and laugh, you tell hilarious stories, you still sing praise songs at the top of your lungs, and all of it is beautiful music to my ears. Your quick-witted answers keep us laughing constantly, and your compassionate heart often melts mine. You know who you are, my child. You have never been one to follow the crowd, and I see evidence that you never will be. Even more important than that, you are always confident in your choice to stand out in the ways that matter. You teach me things every day, and even at your young age, you cannot imagine how often those teachings point me to Jesus. 

Your daddy and I love to speculate on your future career each year, as I know that someday it will be so fun for you to look back on our musings. I still see your love of animals, and you still love to pretend to be a vet, but if I had to pin down a prediction this year, I would say you are going to be a teacher. You have the sweetest spirit when helping younger kiddos, and you love to help me grade and organize things in my room. However, earlier this year, when I asked you what you thought God might want you to be when you grew up, you exasperatedly said, "Just a grown up!" It reminded me that even though I have so many hopes and dreams for you, right now you are still simply my little girl. And I have never been more grateful.


All my love,

Mommy

So "Four"tunate...

My Sweet Girl,

It has been a month since your birthday; I am a little behind this year! I absolutely cannot believe that you are four! It seems impossible, but when I see your hair growing longer by the day and your jeans growing shorter by the week, I cannot deny that you are, indeed, growing up!

This past year we have made a lot of fun memories! We got to see you ride your first roller coaster, write your full name, start "school," really begin to enjoy swimming, and make your first (human) best friend. Your love of cats has waned over the past year, but now your love of dogs rivals my own, much to my relief!

There are so, so many things I admire about you. You are yourself. You dance when there is no music, you sing at the top of your lungs without knowing the words, and you say whatever is on your mind. You are funny! Oh, how your quick wit and quirky sense of humor can make us laugh, even on our grouchiest days!! You are so generous. When I presented you with our "Operation Christmas Child" shoebox, you were so excited to pick out all the things our little boy might want. You never once asked if you could have something for yourself, but continued adding more and more things to our stash for him!  You are honest. If you do something wrong, you immediately own up to it, unflinchingly. You rarely need more than a reminder or a look to do the right thing, and your teachers at school say you are kind, considerate, and so smart.

Your intelligence still astounds us! You have been reading up a storm all year, and I love hearing you sound out unfamiliar words as you plow through new books. Recently, when I brought home a puzzle game intended for my students, you surprised even yourself by mastering it immediately! Your spatial reasoning is already better than my own. (You get that from your dad). You have the memory of an elephant. If you say something happened, we can be sure that it will be correct, usually down to the last detail, and we often count on you to find things, because you always know right where they are!

Things weren't all butterflies and sunshine this past year, though. Daddy and I often found ourselves looking at each other and mouthing the word "threenager" when you would have one of your sassier moments. Sometimes those moments were nothing short of exasperating, but mostly, they were a glimpse into a future that is rapidly approaching, a future I am not ready for. As the next year sees you starting Pre-K and (hopefully) taking our first family vacation, I know that I will often find myself holding my breath, hoping to stop time and keep you small for just a little longer.

Oh, how I love you my child. And no matter how time speeds on, or how tall you grow, that is something that will never change.

Yours "four"ever,


Mommy