Happy 4th Birthday!!

To my sweet, funny, and excitable little girl.

 

Today is your day. The anniversary of your coming into the world. The day you made me a mommy, and him a daddy. Four years. Four years we've had you, grew you, watched you, loved you.

 

You are so unbelievably unique. Which i admire. So unlike me. So like Daddy. But so you.

 

This year your personality has really shined bright. Really surfaced. You like - no, love - to make people laugh. You are sensitive but daring. Loving but mischievous. You're the life of the party and a social butterfly. Your competitive but a real sweetheart. You love your baby brother and your an amazing big sister.

You're unstoppable and I'm so proud of you.

Your teacher said smiling, "She's the smallest and the youngest, but she's definitely not the quietest!"

I love that you're not afraid to show the world who you are. There is nothing at all wrong with a little more fun, and little more positive, and a little more you in this world. What a party this place would be if more people were like you. I'm so honored to be your Mama.

I wrote this for you before you turned 2. It brings a warmth to my heart to read it again:
This place is her garden. To grow and be unique.
To dig in and explore. To learn and embrace.
This world is her dance floor. She goes wherever the wind blows.
Chasing butterflies and gone-to-seed dandelions.
You are on stage my darling. Be who you want to be.
 
Happy 4th Birthday Sweetheart!
 

6 Years.

So we've officially been together for over half a decade! We're off to a pretty good start if I do say so myself. A lot of marriages don't even last that long. Especially having become parents only a year into a relationship. After 3 moves and two children we're still here, loving just the same - if not more. We have had our fair share of trials and tribulations. Some we're still facing. But? We are doing good. We aren't perfect. Definitely not perfect. We are bestfriends. Him and our children both bring me equal joy. Equal love. Equal laughs. ...equal frustration.

 

He's my Prince in shining armour. He makes me feel safe and loved. He's my soul mate and my person. And he makes doing all this so much easier. God couldn't have picked anyone better to have me live this life with. Raise these two children with. I love that [one of] God's plan[s] was him.

 

Every morning I get to wake up next to that big-hearted man sleeping, mouth open, chest rising and falling with that strong heart beat l know, that heart that full of love for me, too. Always warm. The man I knew as a boy. The boy I loved first. And the man I loved last.

 

Im thankful. And blessed that God made him who he is, despite all that was against him. I love who he has become. He's mine.

Thank you Lord.

A super extra special month

Who would ever think to wonder how much joy and love and extra specialness can fit into one month? Let me tell you - a whole lot.

I'm sitting here, nursing my tiny (or not so tiny) newish baby boy and thinking about this time last year. My body was in the midst of starting life. Microscopic beautiful life. And a few weeks later I'd be peeing on sticks.  A month later I'd get the positive that my husband knew I would. And behold, James. Not so microscopic but oh so beautiful.

And what was I doing four years ago? On new years eve we were not only celebrating the end of a wonderful year and the start of a new one but, we were celebrating our precious, one of a kind, new baby daughter. Who was born just 8 hours before midnight. What a glorious day. The most unforgettable new years eve.

What about close to six years ago? I was just a baby still, a girl finishing up high school as my husband's new girlfriend. We reconnected and had gotten so close in a single month. We were in love and shortly after christmas, he asked me to be his girlfriend. Clearly, I said yes. And I've only loved him more and more since then. He's a good man and I'm so thankful for him - for my bestest friend.

I've come to realize that so much of my life comes back to this month. Leah's due date was even our anniversary! God is so good, and his timing is astounding. Mind-blowing. And its incredible to look back and see the bigger picture. If we trust in the Lord He will make our paths straight. He will guide those paths and influence them. We don't even know where they go, but He can see the finish line ahead of us. And when we look behind us there it is. Our path of life. With shortcuts and detours, mountains and valleys. But we see it. Plain as day. And we realize. This is why. Because this is where I'm suppose to be. And its hard sometimes to let God be on the other end of the Walkie-Talkie and trust Him when you can't see where you're going for yourself. But he does. He knows. And He'll be there to grab your hand as you climb out of that hole.

Enjoy your December. ♡