"Mama...Eight is Great!!"

 

 Oh, Bubby Biscuit...you are so right.  Eight IS great!  But it's not the age or the gifts or the cake or the cinnamon rolls or the tacos or the balloons or decorations that make it so great.

 

 It's YOU!!

 

Seth Jackson, you have brought so much joy into our lives.  You are so smart and handsome and have so much personality.  You are a hard worker and always try your best (except for that whole room cleaning thing.) 

 

 It's not always easy being the middle muffin but you know what?  A sandwich isn't a sandwich without the middle.  It's the best part with the most flavor and if that ain't you, I don't know what is!

 

Your favorites right now are wrestling, Alabama, Atlanta Braves, baseball, jumping on the trampoline, hamburgers, tacos, pizza, riding the lawn mower, Pop and wallering in your bed.  You love for me to sing camp songs to you at night and that brings my heart so much joy!  You are so special and I just know you're going to do big things.  Daddy and I love you so much and I pray that God blesses us with at least 50 more years with you so we can be there for them all. 

 

Happy Birthday, Ally Claire!! (I never knew...)

Dear Ally Claire,

I can't believe you are five, a whole hand today!  I never knew the time would fly by so fast!  Didn't we just bring you home from the hospital?

I never knew how scared I'd be those first few days of your life.  Some people may think we're silly for lamenting that you were in the NICU for 10 days, 5 years ago, but those people have never watched their child struggle for breath, for life.  Those people have never been completely helpless, watching a machine breathe for their child for 4 days. 

I never knew that not being able to hold you would make my arms literally ache.  The first time we did hold you, it was only for 10 minutes and nothing before or since has been so bittersweet.  The next morning as I folded laundry for your brothers, I sobbed.  I felt like I had the flu.  My entire being ached for you to be home with us, in our arms.  I knew a part of me was missing and I needed you.  You are who made our family complete.

I never knew how different you'd be, even as a baby, from your brothers.  I never knew how one child could hate car rides so much she went hoarse from screaming.  I never knew a big brother could be completely smitten with a baby sister.  I never knew that painting your toe nails once would mean a lifetime of polish and glitter.  I never knew that you'd love dresses and high heels and jewelry by your second birthday.

I never knew you would be such a good "tag-a-long", going to and sitting through all of your brothers' practices and ball games, running errand after errand with me.  I never knew you'd love camp so much, even at the tender age of 3, but I certainly hoped.

I never knew you'd sleep on the very edge of the bed like me, but talk in your sleep like your daddy.  I never knew you'd be so stinking messy, so much worse than your brothers.  I never knew you'd talk so big, so fast and know how to add before you'd know how to spell.  I never knew I'd be so attached to you that I'd get antsy when you've been away for only two nights at a grandparent's house.

I never knew you'd make me feel beautiful (because you tell me every day) and that I'd believe you.  I never knew I'd want to be better even though you think I'm the best at everything already.  You say the sweetest things and give the best hugs and kisses.

I never knew I'd be the most blessed woman in the world because you're my daughter and I get the opportunity to be your mama.  When I prayed to God to send me a girl, I never knew He'd send me my best friend and that I'd get to have all of your moments from the very beginning.  I never knew He'd send me such a fighter, someone so strong (willed) and determined, so smart and beautiful. 

Even though by the time you came along and I'd been a parent for almost 5 years to 2 others, I never knew this kind of love.  It's not bigger or more.  It's just different.  I knew it might be.  I had your nana and meemaw to prepare me for that.  But until you got here and were finally in my arms, finally in our home, my mind never knew what it'd be like to have you.

But my heart knew...it knew because it recognized you.  You've always lived there, even when I was just five.  You see, I waited on you a long time and when you finally came, I realized that everything I thought I knew was so very wrong.  You are so much more.  So much better.  So much bigger.  So much prettier.  So much smarter.  you are just so much and I never know if I'll be able to take anymore of you.

But every year, every day with you, every laugh, every breath is a blessing.  I will never get over those first days because now I really know what I could have missed out on.  I'm so thankful for the doctors and nurses and for our amazing God who took you right out of my heart and helped you grow in my belly until you could finally be placed in my arms.  I love snuggling with you in the morning.  I love tea parties and pedicures and sassy attitudes and sparkles and glitter and high heels and dresses that twirl.  I love singing to you at night and listening to your sweet voice singing along with mine about seeking God first and about His amazing grace.

I never knew these first 5 years would fly by so fast.  You start kindergarten in the fall and while I know you're ready, I'm not sure if I am.  But you will do great.  You'll meet your first best friend and have your first favorite teacher and read your first book and so many things.  I hope it's God's plan for me to be there for it all. 

I love you so much.  So much more than I knew I would.  You're such a blessing, Ally Claire (Lucy Goose, Sissy, Lissy, Loony Toons, Bitty Girl).  If there's anything that you ever know, I hope it's that!  Happy Birthday, love angel!!

xoxo~
Mama

Happy 4th Birthday, Ally Claire

Dear Ally Claire,
Where to even begin my little lovely?  You are such a blessing, such a delight.  I've said it on here and I'll say it again so that you'll never question it.  I prayed you into existance little one.  I always wanted to be a mama.  I hoped I would be blessed and that I would get the experience of having both boys and girls, but if I'm being honest, and you know that's my way, I REALLY wanted a little girl.  You are ALLLLL girl!  Make no mistake about that.  You love all things girly and frilly and fluffy.  One of my favorite quotes from you this year was, "Mama...all it needs is sparkles and glitter!"  Pink and purple and glitter and crowns and princesses and nail polish and "spray" and bows.  You are sure to let me know when your "tip toes" get chipped and need to be redone.  You still cling to your purple Hippos that you've had since your "unfortunate incarceration" in the NICU (see links below), but you have allowed other animals to join the throng.  Not long ago, you fell out of bed at night and it was no wonder, you had so much in the bed with you, just like your big brother Luke.  I told you they pushed you out of bed!  You didn't seem to buy it.

But just because you are girly doesn't mean you aren't tough.  You give your brothers just as hard of a time as they give you.  You don't mind being a little dirty and playing outside and you still prefer that your hair look like a "cave woman's" most days.  All in your face and the bigger the better.

And smart.  My goodness you are so smart and verbal.  Luke's teacher thought you were older than you are because of how verbal and conversational you were when we went to have lunch with Luke's class at school!  You are really good at naming your numbers and can count to about 40, but those letters are giving you a hard time.  You're getting there, though, even if you DON'T want my help...with ANYTHING Miss Independant!

But sometimes being that smart has its downside.  You're also quite sassy in attitude and in speech!  You're my child so i doubt you'll outgrow it, but hopefully you'll learn to tame it a little and know when to use it to make people laugh or show boys that pretty girls can be smart, too!

I love you so much, Lucy.  I can't turn my back on you for a second.  Not just because you're into everything, but because if I do, I'll miss it and you'll be in school!  You'll be the hardest to let go of because you're the baby and because like I'd always hoped, we are so close. My hope is that you will continue to grow up strong and healthy, smart and sassy and that you'll always be beautiful and blessed.

Our family wasn't complete until you came along and I'm so thankful that you did!!
xoxoxo

for her hard beginning...start here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6  Just click on the numbers. the posts are pretty short.