Happy Birthday #1!

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

How can you possibly be 11 and entering the 6th grade?

I am thinking it was yesterday that you made your grand appearance and I could not believe the overwhelming love for you that washed over me!  I sobbed harder than you!  I was overwhelmed with your beauty and sweetness.  God gives good, good gifts!!!

I am so blessed by you these days.

I am blessed by your brilliant mind.  You are a smart cookie!

I am blessed by your love for your siblings, esspecially Lily.  You have a sweet bond that I love to watch bloom more and more.  Sisters are a gift, I should know, I have 3!

I am blessed by your hunger for truth.  You soak it up sweet thang and it will get you through!

I am blessed by your open heart to love the least of these.  Sometimes I think you "get it" more than I do.  You have never wavered in loving Isaiah and teaching him how to be in a family.  And I love how you encourage us to adopt again.  You are rich encouragement to your dad and me!

You have blessed us more than any blog post can say.

Your dad and I will always love you and we are praying for you as you enter into these next few years where things tend to change alot.

Happy Birthday!

Love, Mommy

PS ~ I am also VERY blessed by your love of baking although I am a frustrated with that one because now I am going to have to spend a lot of time with the treadmill this fall because of all your summer baking! :)  Get back to school so you can quit stuffing me with your homemade waffles, banana bread, cookies..... :)! 

[this pic is from this morning before church ~ she is covered in both of her Grandma's love.  One Grandma got her the dress from Africa and the other got her the horse necklace and earring - two things that definitely make up this little girl!]