to my sweet Grace on her sixth birthday

Dear Grace,

Oh, I can tell this is going to be emotional for me. The tears are already rolling and not just because I'm exhausted and we just got back from the ER a few hours ago with your little brother and his burned hand {he's okay, burned it on the new dryer we had installed today, poor little guy!}.  But I want to capture my thoughts for you in these early morning hours of the sixth anniversary of the day you were born...

I still remember it like it was yesterday.  How joyful I felt the moment Dr. T placed you on my belly.  You were so very tiny...and so awake!  I had only ever seen newborns with their little eyes shut tight and kind of puffy, but you were so very awake and you looked all around and as soon as our eyes locked, you were mine.  This tiny little baby who I would have died for immediately, if I needed to.  You imprinted upon my heart and soul and I knew in that very moment that our lives had been changed forever.

You arrived early...5 weeks to be exact...and I remember feeling scared, wondering if you were going to be okay.  You were more than okay and for that I am forever grateful.  You gave us a couple of scares with your severe jaundice and we had to keep you wrapped like a baby burrito in a special bili blanket around the clock.  Luckily, we were able to do so at home.  It made you look like a little glowworm, but it was your orange, jaundiced skin that gave you the nickname "little pumpkin", so even in the scariest of times, there are always rainbows if you look for them.  Don't ever forget that.  You my dear Grace were God's answer to my deepest prayer from long ago.  You made us into a family and you bestowed upon me the title I am proudest of:  mama.

Watching you grow these past six years has been nothing short of amazing.  You have been a joy to parent.  I pray for God's protection over you and I pray that God will give me many, many, many more years to watch you grow and develop into all He has planned for your life.  You are wise beyond your years and you have such a kind soul.  Your love for others and your determination to help those in need make me stand in awe of our Creator every.single.time.  You love unconditionally and you give from the heart.  I have seen you time and time again reach out to those who are feeling left out or nervous and you do so with such a tender touch.  My prayer for you is that you never lose that ability to follow your heart.

I'm glad that God also gave you a strong spirit.  You are smart, determined, passionate and not easily swayed.  I pray you will use these talents to make a difference in the world.  And I'm not talking about a world difference in the way most would appreciate, I'm talking about a difference wherever God plants you... a difference for His kingdom.

I love how girly you are.  You are certainly mama's little pumpkin and partner in all things creative.  I love baking with you and teaching you new things - I love spending time with you!  I hope you listen really well while Noonie is teaching you how to sew so that you can maybe teach me a thing or two, okay?  I love how you express yourself through art.  I have a growing gallery of your masterpieces and they bring such joy to my life every time I look at them.  Never ever put that paintbrush down.  Look for rainbows even in the darkest of hours.  Keep your faith in God and He will paint your life with amazing brushstrokes.

This year in kindergarten, you chose Mother Teresa as the person you wanted to research in Mrs. L's gifted class.  You told me you chose her because she was like me and I boohoo'd like a baby at how you see me through kind, loving eyes, rather than as the flawed individual I really am because I am far from Mother Teresa.  But I love that you chose her to learn more about because she is a role model I am proud to have you emulate.  Mother Teresa once said, "Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.  Be the living expression of God's kindness:  kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile."  Oh, how I pray these things for you, my little pumpkin!  I think you are well on your way!

Six years...my, oh my, time flies!  Don't ever forget I am here for you - ALWAYS.  I love you with all my heart. May God bless you in a special way today on your 6th birthday...and every day! 

Dream big.  Love big.  Give big.  Pray big.
{the rest will take care of itself}

Happy 6th Birthday my little pumpkin!
XOXO,
Mama