F.I.V.E.

this week we had a birthday. it's a big one. a lot of big things will happen during her 5th year.


she'll start kindergarten

she'll probably lose a tooth

she'll ride a bus to school

she will meet new friends

she will go to a school where she has never been

how does it happen so fast? i want to stop time. i want to stop the ever sounding TICKING of the clock that signals that my baby is growing up - and i'm losing a little part of her day by day. minutes turn into hours - hours to days - days to months - months to years and before i know it - my baby has been with me for 5 years and i realize that i only have 13 more. please - time. slow down.

she was just a baby. she was just a little person who needed me for everything. now she is conflicting on does she need me? or is she a 'big girl'. -- slow down.

the independence that she has exerted since she was an infant gets more and more evident every day. the independence that causes me to literally pull my hair out - is the same independence i hope to celebrate when she is standing up to peer pressure.

the vocalness of this little girl that seems insistent, impatient, and non-stop ... a princess with an easy laugh - is the same person who i hope will know what she wants and will speak her mind in truth and love.

the vibrancy of this little person who loves life and people and fashion - this is the same vibrancy that i hope will bring her fun and life and laughter to an otherwise cruel world out there.

the tenacity that she displays to get her way that sends me into fits on a daily basis - one day i hope to see that this helps her to follow her dreams and succeed.

the love that this precious angel has for her brother - the kind of love that so deeply desires his laughter at her jokes, his approval of her actions, and a love that admires and serves .... one day, i pray that this will transform into a beautiful selfless love for her husband.

the smarts that this booger has that sometimes cause me to catch my breath as she reads me books at night - i hope that one day she will learn that it's not all about that, but more about applying yourself and doing your best.

the compassion that she has for other people - that may sometimes cause her to get her feelings hurt ... i hope that one day she will give of herself to serve others in a role that could change the world.

the attention to detail that this little girl has... as she tells me about bracelets that actresses wore last year and noticing a simple thing like a change in lipstick shade of mine - i hope that one day she will use this to her advantage and be able to decipher truth.

the love that she has for learning - i pray that one day she will know that Jesus loves her more than her mom and dad love her. And that while people on this earth will fail her, hurt her, disapoint her, and leave her ... that there is a Savior - who never will.

This is my prayer.