happiest

my sweet, little chlo-belle. how my life was changed 4 years ago when i met you. the love that fills my heart...it swells...and overflows. i could never have fathomed my capacity for love.

what wonderful memories i have of our first year together as a family. you, my love, were so...high-maintenence. yet, that's something that i didn't even realize until later. for then, it just meant extra hugs, cuddles, naps together, rocking, bouncing & shushing. and extra time with you...well, that was a joy. you had the brightest, most alert little eyes...you rarely missed a thing.

i still can hear your first laugh. we were in the middle of one of our bouncing, swaying, shushing sessions when i bit into the jawbreaker i had in my mouth. your cheek had been against mine. at that crushing sound, your head fell back & out came a big, belly laugh. i must've eaten 15 jawbreakers that day to listen to that!

i remember you announcing that you were going to be a big sister. you were 4 months old & your shirt read, "big sister, february 2005". and what a wonderful big sister you've been. you are such a natural helper. you are full of compassion. you love order & are very much a rule-follower. i've loved watching your little personality grow. despite your love for order, you still are quite the silly one. and dress up..oh, how you love dress up. i adore watching you gather your dress-up clothes, jewerly & microphone. you then, proceed to whatever is near (that you can climb onto) to sing on your "stage."


chloe, you are a joy. i pray that you will always be filled with joy & compassion. i pray you dream big and that you continue to develop a perservering attitude. may you love God above all else, truly care about people & leave a legacy of love.

happiest birthday, chloe.