Happy Birthday, Grace!

5 years old!! How can it be? My sweet Gracie is 5 years old. I can't help but reminisce about your life...starting from the moments I dreamt of it. I knew at just the right time it was time to start thinking of bringing you into this world. I had my own perfect plan of how I wanted it to go and God seemed to go right along with it. We learned we were pregnant with you on our 7th wedding anniversary - what a perfect gift:)

Besides having about 6 weeks of morning sickness, I felt better than ever with you living inside of me. I gained only 11 pounds during my pregnancy with you! Even the day before you were born I was RUNNING in the woods with your daddy and your big sister. You invigorated me:)
Your birth was easy (well, as easy as childbirth is) and when you were born you looked just like your big sister when she was born. I knew you would weigh 7 pounds and would be 20 inches long - just like your sister. (I was an ounce off.) You were perfect and wonderful and you fit your given name, Grace Elizabeth, just perfectly. Your name represents a gift from our God to your daddy and I - I can't wait to tell you more about it.

You were lovingly welcomed home by your adoring Daddy, your excited big sister, Ana, and your crazy dog, Jack. We were quickly surrounded by caring friends and family immediately after you arrived. They all said "she looks like a Grace".

I loved caring for you when you came home. I cherished the moments we shared in the middle of the night - rocking and nursing you in the dim light of your nursery. I would pray for you and our family during that time. It was then that I sensed that God was going to do something great through you and your life. Though, I didn't know what that meant ( and still don't), I trust Him. And I grew more in love with you, sweet girl! In 10 short weeks after you were born, we didn't have as many frequent mid-night encounters. But when I was (and am) awake in the middle of the nights, I pray the same prayers for you. I can't wait to tell you more about them.

Now here we are - almost 5 years later. You are wise, thoughtful, nurturing, creative and a 'realistic' dreamer (just like your mommy). You are also stubborn and cautious at first, slow to warm up to anything unfamiliar and sometimes...just a grump. I'm afraid we have nicknamed you "Grumpy Grace". We seem to use it less as you grow older. But, we know that God has created you in this perfect way and will use all of you for His perfect plan. I can't wait for you to share it with us.

I love your contagious laugh, your inquisitive questions, your voice and your speech, the words you make up (gracie-isms), the way you sing at the top of your lungs in the bath tub, the way you boss your big sister around (well I don't ALWAYS love it), the way you care for your baby brother, like a little mommy!, the way you NEED to be snuggled.......there is a list that goes on and on that would list all that I love about you. I'm so thankful for the the fact that just a few short months ago, you gave into the truth that you needed Jesus in your heart and that you let down your guard to ask Him in. You are precious and brave, sweet girl. I pray that you will let Him have His way with your life - that He would continue to capture your heart and give you the desire to live for Him alone.
Thank you for the love you give to our family, the joy you bring to our lives. You are a gift from God and we thank Him for YOU!

My favorite recent Gracie-ism:

Mom- "Gracie, you are being such a good girl today. I'm really proud of you!"

Grace- "That's good, Mommy - now you won't need to "en-trouble" (discipline) me."

Happy Birthday, my sweet Gracie! I think you are amazing!

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