Five

My sweet baby girl,

It’s your birthday, my love.  Five glorious years since God blessed our family with you.  I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the gift that you were then and that you still very much are today.  We’ve celebrated you, angel.  Every moment of this blessed day has been wrapped in thoughts of you. 

As I am sure you know, we did get a little head start on the party though.  Your daddy knows that as much as I am planner in every other aspect of my life…these days…your days are best unplanned.  God has a gift for us in each day and so we’ve learned to just let them happen.  On a last minute idea, we packed up after church yesterday and headed to your home away from Home to deliver your baskets for your heart friends.  It was such a happy trip.  Our hearts are always so full when we are there…in the place that holds so many memories of you.  Our day was filled with enjoying cupcakes together, watching your brothers run around and play while I overlooked the Harbor, and spending extra special time with your sweet friend, Hudson’s family.  It was the perfect retreat going into this beautiful and God-given Monday.

This year is the first that we’ve had the dates fall on the same days as they did the year you were born, love.  “ Born on Monday and surgery on Friday” have long been engraved into my mind.  This year, we relive it…in a different way for the very first time.  It’s okay though.  Mommy has learned that the overwhelming depth of my grief is only a result of the even deeper love that I have for you, sweet girl.  I would walk this road a million times over if it still means I have you…and I do.  I will always carry you in my heart.  For that alone, I am so very thankful. 

Happy Birthday my angel girl…may Jesus hold you extra close tonight and sing the sweetest lullabies…I love you more every day, my beautiful Belle.  

Love always~ Mommy

 

Restocking your ministry…

Your big brother still leads the way…

 

Everything your big brother does…your little brother has to do…;)

Five miles on the treadmill for me and five miles on the bike for your brother…

Wyatt’s surprise for you!

A sweet gift from another sweetheart’s mommy…sharing with me the legacy that they continue in their daughter’s name across the country after finding out about yours. 

We also enjoyed some delicious chocolate covered strawberries you sent! Yes, dear…they are all gone already! :)  You know your mama well!

Your birthday cake…Mommy let your brothers design it this year.  Wyatt just knew you wanted a baseball and Luke insisted you have Mickey Mouse…hope you like it!  Mrs. Robin did a wonderful job incorporating their ideas and making it very you!

Daddy and Wyatt picked our your balloons…a beautiful Princess one with two pink hearts & two red hearts….watching the direction they were heading we think we’ve got a better idea of where Heaven is located!  ;)

In the words of your ever loud and always silly baby brother…”Hap Bir-day Anne-belle!”