From her long and lean frame, one would never know she was a whopping 5 lbs 4 oz at birth. Or that my pregnancy with her was riddled with problems. Those 9 months showed me how I can make my plans, but anything I make is fragile at best. It’s only when I place those fragile plans in the strong, capable hands of the Creator that they’re protected and safe. I want to grip my plans with clenched fists. It’s stinkin’ hard but wholly necessary for me to turn those fists over and open my palms so I might exchange my plans for His, receiving His best for me.
It’s a daily dying I must do in raising this girl, too. Saying no to my plans for her and yes to His.
Daddy and daughter on her 1st birthday.
Today, this ball of sunshine turns 8. EIGHT. And that means she is officially closer to 10 with all its double digit-ness than she is to 5. It’s bittersweet for me.
Pretty soon she’ll unwrap her gifties, a combo of her personality. She’ll unwrap new summer clothes with matching doll dresses along with her very own nerf gun in deceptive girly butterfly paper. I’ll unwrap more memories in a bout of looking-back-remember-when’s as well as warm fuzzied happiness over the confident, sweet-yet-spirited young lady she’s becoming.
Happy 8th Birthday to my fresh-faced, angel-kissed, wide-eyed, tender-hearted joy giver! If our family was a sundae, you would forever be the cherry on top.
I love you.
Beautiful … love your heart and your writing. You are a breath of fresh air, Kristen! Love you!
Thank you, Friend! Hey, I am all kinds of curious about your latest post, because I chaperoned a field trip last week and probably forgot {at least} 8 of your 10 things. Headed over there pronto!
Beautiful girl, beautiful post! Happy birthday to her!
Melissa, I hope your May is going well! It’s a crazy time of year, isn’t it?
Happy Birthday to your girl! What a sweet post! This growing up thing is bittersweet, isn’t it?
Thanks, Jamie. And yes…bittersweet oh-so!
So sweet…I can’t believe they grow up so fast! I’m looking forward to it & dreading it all at the same time.
I hear ya! It’s a ping pongy time, fo’ sho’!
Happy Birthday, Missy! She is AND was the most beautiful girl ever! And her heart is BEAUTIFUL!
Oh, thank you, Aunt Sara! But I think you might be biased… 😉
What a sweet sweet birthday post. Happy birthday to your 8-year-old cherry 😉
Happy Birthday to your sweet girl! What a wonderful post commerating her birthday!
Hi there! This was a wonderful post to celebrate your girl’s birthday! I’m visiting today from Sharon@HikingTowardHome.
The time goes by so fast doesn’t it? Happy Birthday to the Birthday girl!! 🙂
What a precious tribute. Happy Birthday to your girl and happy day to you!