Happy Birthday!

Dear Princess Ella,

My 4 year old miracle. Oh how happy I am to spend the day with you!

4 years ago the doctor told me you wouldn’t live through the night.

Today I laughed as I watched you dance around the living room in your princess dress and tiara. That doctor tried to rob me of this day. Thank heavens God had bigger plans.

I love you more than you will ever comprehend. I love that you are a girly girl. I love that you spend your days playing Princess and dressing up in various “no legs” dresses. I love that you let me put big bows in your hair and that the first thing you ask for in the morning is a bow. I love that you wear pink all the time and constantly tell me, “Pink is my color!” I love that you love to dance just like they do in the movies…slowly and hand in hand. I love that we paint hot pink fingernails on your bare fingers because you love the way it looks. I love that your favorite thing to put on is red lipstick. I love that your favorite time of the day is singing songs right before bed. I love that when you’re really excited your eyes get huge and you talk very quiet. I love that you give all of your dolls their own voice and actively have conversations with them. I love you so much!

You just completed your first year of preschool. Over the course of the year you grew so much. You aren’t nearly as shy as you used to be (although you’re still shy) and you have learned to speak loud and look people in the eye when you talk to them. You love playing games with your friends and appreciate the structure of organized play time. You still love books and ask to read at least twice a day. Soon you’ll be reading on your own and I will miss our reading time together.

Unfortunately, you have also developed an attitude and have perfected the art of whining. I hope that now that you’re 4, this stage will pass, but it also makes me fear your teenage years.

You are so smart and know more than I think you should know. You have more perception than a typical 4 year old. You can sense when something is going to happen, and you know when a person is gentle and kind, and when they are not. GiGi calls you her Steel Magnolia bud. You’re as beautiful and precious as a flower, but as tough as steel.

As you grow, you are more and more aware of who you are and how you fit in the world. You often ask why you have boo boos and tell me that “Princesses don’t have boo boos.” I remind you that only very brave princesses have boo boos, and that makes them extra special. You don’t like being called brave, but that’s the best word to describe you. You are SO brave!

I pray that as you grow, you embrace who you are in Christ. I pray that you see the beauty that He sees and that you accept and appreciate how He made you so special. I pray that you learn to love Him with all of your heart and seek to live life as an example of His love. God doesn't make mistakes. You are perfect and beautiful in His eyes.

Ella, you are the greatest addition to our family! Your daddy and I are better people because you entered our lives. God has big plans for you! You have been created for a purpose and I can’t wait to watch you change the world.

Love,

Princess Mommy