not to us

Hey there, little girl!

It's your birthday today.  You don't know it yet, but the vast majority of your requests will be granted today...especially since you're still a little sick.  So far, you haven't been hard to please.  You woke up and called out, "Mamasita!  I'm awake!"  Daddy taught you that little ditty a few days ago, and you think it's very entertaining.  :)  I'll admit: We do, too.

You had a very lack-luster breakfast (by request): white milk, waffle, yogurt.  Like I said, you're still a little sick, and it shows in your lack of imagination for breakfast food.

Now, you're sitting next to me watching "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs."  Since Burke is happy walking circles around the living room, I figured I'd take the chance to write your birthday letter.  On your actual birth day, Daddy recorded his thoughts.  On your first birthday, we had a big party, and Daddy made a cool video.  Then last year, on your second birthday, I wrote you a letter.  I think it'll be a nice tradition for us to keep up.

This year you have grown up so much.  You stopped wearing diapers during the day several months ago, and you're this.close to being diaper-less at night.  You have grown out of your 2T clothes, and you're now sporting some very cute 3T duds.  You've also got a new haircut.  The general concesus is that it's very cute, and it fits you well.  :)

You're still as talkative as ever.  You've learned several new phrases that you enjoy using on a regular basis.  Some are cute like "I couldn't believe my eyes!"  Others are a little obnoxious like "Now my life is OVER!"  You speak a lot like your mommy, very passionately with several adjectives sprinkled in here and there.  You also like to sing...you know *a lot* of the lyrics to the songs on the radio.  You like for mommy to sing the silly ABCs (the Spanish version.)  And you've recently started asking me to sing along with the radio in the car.  You say that it "rewaxes" you.  I'm fairly certain you mean relax, since you don't have any unruly body hair at this point.  ;)

You love going to "class" at ROCKS and MOPS.  In the past few weeks, you've really been grasping your lessons and doing your best to make them a part of your life.  It's interesting to see.  Several weeks ago, you memorized a verse from "Thirst Fessalonians."  It said, "Be joyful always."  Now, everytime you're throwing a fit, you say, "I am not joyful right now."  Daddy and I have tried to explain that joy has very little to do with your circumstances, but I think that's just a little too deep for now.  :)  Instead, we're trying to emphasize that you can choose joy in the face of opposition.

This growing up thing is hard.  We know.  But you're doing a great job.  We couldn't be any more proud of you.  We love your smile, your laugh, your heart, your intellect, your humor, and your "zest".  We wouldn't change anything about you.  You're certainly perfectly and wonderfully made.

Happy Birthday, sweetheart!
~Mommy

Dear God,

Thank you for Ruby.  Thank you for all that you've done in her short life.  Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be her mom.

I pray that you'll lead us through our years together.  Teach me how to be the mother you've designed me to be.  Show me how to love her like you love her.  Keep my eyes open and my heart sensitive.  Remind me, daily, that I'm a testament of faith.  Remind me of her watchful and perceptive eyes.  Help me to be the best witness I can be.

I pray that you'll be speaking to Ruby's heart.  Show her how much you love her.  Teach her how to love you back.  Protect her innocence and purity. 

Be glorified in our relationship, God.

Amen.