And just like that, eight years have passed. Eight years used to seem so long, but now it doesn't seem long enough. Eight years ago, you made me a Mamma. You, who never seemed like a newborn. You were alert from day one. We could barely squeeze your 8 pound, six ounce body into the newborn wardrobe we got for you. You smiled early and talked on and on before you could form even your first word. You enchanted us with all that you were.
We noticed quickly that you were a leader deep down inside. You liked to direct others. You came home from daycare talking about "my kids" as if you weren't one of them. You definitely liked to do things in your own way.
We knew that you had a deep and lasting affection for Jesus. You loved participating in Sabbath school from your first time attending. When you went through crying spells at daycare, you would sometimes cry, "I need Jesus!" In fact, you would scream it at the top of your lungs until your daycare worker lost her mind. She told us that she needed Jesus! You talked about Jesus often and through the years, I've noticed that frequently you drop to your knees or bow your head and fold your hands in prayer. We've taught you that Jesus is a friend you can always call on and should call on often throughout the day. We tell you that the Bible asks us to pray without ceasing and help you understand what that means. And so when I see you drop to your knees in the middle of the swimming pool or fold your hands in prayer during a car ride, or at a million other times, I am glad that you understand that God is always with you and for you and that you can talk to Him anytime time throughout the day...and anywhere.
You are spunky. You live life to the fullest. You push us to do things we wouldn't want to do...like ride that mini Falcon's Fury ride at the theme park. And for the record, from now on, we'll watch you safely from the ground. You have an adventuresome spirit and enjoy everything fast. You are always up for a challenge.
You play hard. You run until you cannot run. You swing until you are worn out. You climb until you reach the top and go over and jump to the bottom again. You play family like you are the boss. You sleep hard.
You do everything big. You tell big stories. You write more than any other kid your age. You go though stages where you draw obsessively. You drop over in sleep at the end of the day, often in crazy positions from sleeping so hard.
You are smart as a whip and can read so well (as well as a fourth grader, despite the fact that you haven't even started third grade). You can do anything well that you set your mind to.
You devour books. I think I lost track of how many books we have completed over the summer, but it has to be pretty near 100, many of which were chapter books.
You have a slight obsession for all things American Girl. You look though your catalog, dreaming of which girl you want to save for next. You have been listening to every CD you can get your hands on over and over again all summer long. You lock yourself in your bedroom, doing I'm not sure what, but probably playing with your dolls, and all I hear for hours is the CD player reading though the books of the American Girls. Lately, it's been Molly. You must have made it through the entire six books in the series at least 5 times already. And that's not counting us listening to it together on the way to school last year.
We are so thankful to God for the wonderful young lady you are becoming. We hope you will always let Him lead in your life and reach for the stars. Nothing is impossible with Him. Follow His plans for your life, and you'll be unstoppable!
