Five (For Real)

As we were saying our nightly prayers tonight Scott chimed in to thank God for Mary Ella as she is turning five tomorrow and she leaned over with a smirk and said "for real". Yes, our oldest daughter is treating this birthday as a right of passage of sorts. Because she is a July baby she's seen many 5th birthdays this year. She thinks that tomorrow she'll wake up with a loose tooth, a "five year old bike", and "five year old light pink back pack". Tomorrow we wake up with ,well, a five year old. We didn't know five years ago as I looked in the mirror pregnant with an 8 lb 7 oz (almost 22 inches long) daughter how much our lives would change, but oh how it did! Now I look up five years later with three brown-eyed girls depending on us to show them the way. What an awesome and worthy responsibility to have. Each of these girls has their own unique personality, temperament, and needs.



Mary Ella came into this world in God's perfect timing. If I had gotten pregnant when I wanted to, she wouldn't be here. I remember holding her for the first time thinking, "You are why I needed to wait. You belong here with us". It all became so clear. We brought her home and have been touched by her sweet spirit everyday since. If there was one quality amidst many that I admire most about her is that she is totally, completely passionate about everything she does. She giggles from her soul, she cries from her soul, and she rejoices from her soul. There is no skimming the surface. She is loyal to the core. She makes every friend feel like her best friend and there is always room for more. Oh and the details, this girl knows details and she won't let you forget them or tell a story without 'em. We could talk about a blade of grass for an hour and not repeat one thing. Did I mention she liked details?




Mary Ella, you are and always will be a unique piece that fits perfectly into our own, little "family puzzle". From the moment you could coo and smile, you engaged everyone around you from people in the grocery store to the park. You certainly engage us. So Happy 5th Birthday sweet girl. We love you and are thankful that God chose to place you with us. We can't wait to see what is in store for you over this next year as you embark on a new, exciting chapter in you life....KINDERGARTEN! We do know you'll make the best of it.



Mary Ella's current favorite things



1. Anything "Light pink"

2. "happily every after" endings (the dreamy smile on her face is priceless!)

3. Playing dress up

4. Barbies

5. Nightgowns

6. A good game of chase

7. Disney Radio

8. Dancing

9. Making new friends

10. Her new light pink bedroom and mirror