Dear Four Year Old A

This is A's first birthday letter from the tradition that we started here and here.

Dear Miss. A,

Happy Birthday my big four year old!  It's hard to believe four years ago today daddy and I discovered the single greatest earthy gift God could ever give a person...becoming a parent.

Hilarious is what you are my gorgeous.  Laugh till it hurts funny.  You are unique and all your own and I love every ounce of crazy in you!

You are also a daddy's girl to the core!  You want to do everything he does and be everywhere he is.  At dinner you start in your seat next to his and by the end of the meal you snake your way onto him.  Not just sitting on his lap as that would be far too normal for you my dear.  You somehow weave your way through his arm or leg, climbing up his back, hanging upside down on him in a variety of creative ways or sitting on top of his shoulders or head.  You two have a untouchable bond that I love to watch grow!

My little knowledge seeker how you love exploring the world around you and asking all kinds of questions...how the toilet works, the inter-workings of our bodies, how rainbows are formed, why the sun changes colors and the many other random questions that pop in your head.  You are as curious as your favorite monkey!

You also happen to be quite the artist my dear.  You love all things crafty and channel that in me.  We love making crafts together!

I have lost many nights of sleep over you baby girl.  I worry about you even though I know I shouldn't and every time I do God reminds me that He has such great plans for you far beyond anything I could imagine. 

Those around you don't understand how hard it is for you each and every day and I wish with all my heart I could take that from you.  If I were to describe this year in a word it would be progress.  If everyone faced their fears in the way you do, this world would be a much cheerier place.  Life is still very much a challenge for you but this year we have experienced hope and a light to what it to come for you and holy cannoli is that light bright!

The first year of preschool wasn't without some hiccups but still you loved just about every minute of it!  You were excited to go each and everyday which made leaving you that much easier for your mama (I missed you right up until the very last day!).  I was told your empathy for your friends was beyond your age and that made daddy and I very proud.  You always made sure your classmates were okay if they fell or were sad about something, even giving them a toy or singing them a song to cheer them up.

People think that you are a ballerina my little tippy toe walker.  One of these days we'll get you on your flat feet.

There are so many things I love and admire about you my gorgeous girl.  Each of my kiddos continue to teach me so much about myself and life.  You have taught me the importance of sticking up for what you know is right, not taking myself too seriously, patience, confidence and loving unconditionally.  You have brought me closer to God in the past four years than I could ever thank you for.  You are a gift.  A perfect gift wrapped in a bold, beautiful, giggly, sweet little girl.

And lastly, you are confident.  You are confident about the clothes you pick out, your favorite color, your big hair, your faith and all that God has made you to be.  I love and admire that about you!  Your favorite color is dark blue, you love your hair free and wild and you'll speak up about your beliefs.  You don't know this now but that is rare my little girl.  Hold on to that and guard it tight!

Daddy and I are so proud of you A!  I am so thankful I get to be your mommy!

Love you,

Mommy

Questions I asked A:

 What is your favorite thing to do at school?  Play with my friends.

What do you want to be when you grow-up?  Go to work like daddy and work with daddy. (Did I mention she's a daddy's girl?!)

What is your favorite thing to do with daddy?  I like to chase daddy.

What is your favorite thing to do with mommy?  I like eating plums with you.

What is your favorite thing to do with M?  I like to play the time out game with her.

What is your favorite toy? Blankie

What is your favorite TV show?  Curious George

What is your favorite color?  Red and blue and magenta and olive green (she says this but 9 times out of 10 she will choose dark blue if given the choice of one color to pick)

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?  Mint and vanilla and strawberry and chocolate

What is your favorite food? Dessert and milk and jerk chicken but not broccoli just the things that I like.

Where is your favorite place to go?  To Kids University.  I think I'm done with these questions mommy.

Celebrating U's 1st Birthday

To celebrate U's 1st Birthday we took a family trip to the Zoo.  We are SO excited for next year when we will get to celebrate his birthday with him!!

Dear U

I recently started a family tradition (thanks www.millionsofmiles.com for the idea!) of writing a letter to each of our children on their birthday as a gift for them to look back on years from now.  

To our little one year old U,

Happy happy Birthday baby U!  You are one years old today my sweet little boy.  There are so many things I am bursting to tell you my littlest one but let me start off by saying how much I love you!  I love you I love you I love you!  As author Sam McBratney puts it, I love you right up to the moon and back.  I am praying that the mama's caring for you today are celebrating with us and lovin' on you with oodles of hugs, kisses and giggles.  In my heart I am snuggling up with you tickling your toes and gazing at those big black eyes.

You are one cute baby Mr. U!  It was love at first sight for me little guy just like with your daddy.  I haven't seen a picture of your smile yet but I'm sure it is there and I can't wait to sit smiling beside you!

Today and everyday is just so incomplete without you here with us.  

There are so many things about you that we still do not know.  I can only assume based on what we know about you that are, in the best way possible, a mighty little fighter.  You are strong.  You are a child of God and perfectly made in His image.  By next year I pray that your 2nd Birthday letter will be overflowing with experiences from our life together and all that I have learned about you.  Since I can't do that today I thought I would use this letter to tell you about where you come from and the amazing group of men and women that have surrounded you from birth.

As you grow up there are many things you will learn about the Democratic Republic of Congo that will be important for you to know but my hope is the information I share in this letter will stand out above all the rest.  

The DRC is filled with beauty, lush fertile land and vibrate music.  It has over 200 ethnic groups each with their very own language and culture.  Your particular village speaks Swahili.  Congo is located in the heart of Africa and despite extreme adversity it is known as being one of the most alive places.  The eastern part of Congo where you live is filled with indestructible images of resilience, courage, patience and heroism.  You are apart of them my little man and I pray that we can raise you to be as courageous for Christ as the community that you were born into.

Your daddy loves you and talks about you with pride.  Your oldest sister wants to share her favorite book with you.  Your other sister loves to say your name over and over again.  Both girls think you are super cute (how could they not?!!).  I am completely head over heals in love with you my baby boy.  My heart is more than ready to have you in my arms for good.

We love you!  Praying a very special birthday for you today. Your birth is being celebrated across the world from you today.  You are apart of our family little man. 

Love you,

Mommy