wishes

happiest 5th birthday, chloe.

i am so thankful for you. you making me a mom has been the most amazing blessing.

i cherish our days together. from the newborn days when you were high-maintenance: we spent hundreds of hours together, shushing & bouncing. sure, it would occasionally get overwhelming that only i would do, but i adored this time with you. from those newborn days to today: i cherish waking up to your confident voice asking me something that leads me to wonder just how long you've been awake. you've happily made your bed, styled your outfit & hair, and brushed your teeth. it is so nice to wake up to your happy little busy body!

i cherish your pure silliness mixed with your natural desire to be helpful and compassionate. i love to hear you and anika play...making up games and scenarios. i even love to hear you "conspire" against me, "let's go do that to MOM! be quiet, tip toe!"

i'm so proud of how graciously you take compliments....and how easily you give them out. walking into a public restroom the other day, a lady was just starting to wash her hands. you stopped your excited walk mid-bounce to turn to her and say, "i really love your boots." as she melted and said thank you, you just continued on and said "you're welcome!" i love that you weren't even coveting them....you didn't ask to have some like that....you just genuinely were appreciative of something on someone else.

i love how giving and selfless you are. although you are grateful for the "things" you have, i can't honestly think of one toy that you wouldn't happily give away if i told you a story about a child who needed or wanted it. you truly enjoy giving away. you enjoy packing up a envelope of drawings and pictures to send off to cheer someone's day. you love to bake goodies with the intent of giving them away. i love these times spent with you.

chloe: may you always be (a little) high-maintenance and full of confidence. i pray you can always mix the right dose of silliness with knowing how to be helpful and compassionate. may you remain gracious in all you do and know how to appreciate others AND yourself. may you forever be glorifying by continuing to be giving and selfless, knowing that you are (most importantly) His daughter.