Happy Birthday, Miss C!

My darling daughter,

Today you are 3! I can't believe it. You are a whirlwind of constant motion and endless chatter. You love to be a girl. Your favorite color is purple. Every other color to you is yucky, except pink, which is okay according to you. You love your brother and tell us often that he is your best friend (which totally melts my heart!). You adore lipstick and plastic "spah-kly" earrings. You love to be dramatic, and you can dress up with the best of them. Arguing, or shall we say negotiating. is also one of your strengths. I've never heard a child with your vocabulary, and oh, my you are a sharp little one. You don't miss a trick, and you use your observations to your advantage.

You are sassy, sweet, and smart all at the same time. You, my dear princess, are everything I could have hoped for in a daughter and about a thousand times more. You take my breath away when I look in those crystal blue eyes. You can exasperate even the most patient of people on some days...you are my Lollie (your nickname that makes no sense but has stuck with me). Oh how blessed I am to be your Mommy. Loving you is a privilege I don't take lightly. You are my daughter, and I am your Mom. We will share a bond like no other. That God picked me to be your mom...I am humbled. You are a force to be reckoned with. I love that about you.

You have stolen hearts with not so much as a few sentences. Family, friends, teachers at school, parents of friends, oh the list goes on and on. So many, many hearts (... you are a very, very popular girl) have fallen under your magical spell--one of the biggest is your Daddy's. He adores you. I see the precious bond you have, and I am so proud to have a front row seat to witness your love for each other.

Daddy and I looked at pictures of your life together tonight. It seems like only yesterday you were so tiny. You were born in a rush and then whisked to the NICU. But of course, with you being you, you advanced right out of there quickly and spent the rest of your time in the intermediate nursery. Daddy and I looked so forward to our minutes with you in the hospital. Oh, how we couldn't wait to get you home and snuggle you anytime we wanted.

Your brother loved you instantly. He told us you were precious when he first saw you. He left a soft basketball rattle in your bassinet. He had waited so long to meet you. These days, you can drive him crazy, but he'd rather be with you than anyone, even when you are bossing him around. It blesses my heart to overhear you two playing together. I love to hear your ask your big brother, "We are fwends right?"...Oh if only these days could last a little longer and pass a little more slowly. I wish I could box up these times and just hold onto them a little longer. They will be gone before I know it.

Now, my sweet potato, you are three. You are on the cusp of many things, yet you have accomplished so very much already. You are bold and beautiful, sweet and sassy, impish and so independent, loving and lovable, bossy and beloved. I am in awe of how much you know and say already. Your imagination is incredible. I love when you call me your darlin'...especially because when you say it, it sounds as if you are calling me your "Dahwin." I love that you call me Mama, even though Luke calls me Mommy and I refer to my self as Mommy to you. You are my Lollie...there is no one like you. Beautiful you.

It is my prayer for you to grow in Christ. I pray your life verse over you each night, Ps. 85:11-12. The sparkle and life you give our family is amazing, and I thank God for you each and every day.

I love you so much, C. Thank you for being you all day all the time!

Love,
Mommy

Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth and give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name. I will praise you O Lord, my God, and glorify your name forever.
Psalm 85:11-12 (NIV)