To my dear
sweet Brianna,
These
birthday posts seem to come faster and faster with each passing year. Your birthday is always rather hectic; we
have participated in the Relay for Life each year on or around your
birthday. You always absolutely love
going to the Relay around your birthday and are especially excited that this
year it is ON your birthday. I would like to think that you love it so much
because you are such a giving and kind child, and while that is certainly
true…I think part of the reason you love it so much is because you get to play
games, eat junk food and stay up entirely too late. Sounds like a perfect birthday celebration to
me!
This past
year has brought so many changes, but you handled them all in stride. I have seen you thrive since we moved to Iowa
and it makes this mama’s heart very happy, I always worry about making the
right decisions where you and Bryce are concerned, but this past year has
showed me that moving here was a good one for your and your brother. I laughed
as I told someone that you were the kid that everyone wants to be friends with,
and that too makes me so happy. You are
a sweet and kind young lady; you love to have friends around and to play in a
group…but you are also content (for a while) reading a book or playing with
your dolls in your room. You still love
to sing and dance, you are always smiling the biggest when music is on and you
are dancing around.
I have seen
you push outside of your comfort zone this year by attending UD for Kids. You were insistent that you wanted to go and
you would participate even though you didn’t know anyone. You went and you had so much fun. You made some beautiful dresses for your
dolls and learned some fun dance moves.
After the first night as I tucked you into bed you whispered to me that
you were a little scared and shy at first but that you really had a lot of fun. It is OK to be scared and shy when you try
something new, but the fact that you overcame that makes me so proud of the
young lady you are becoming. Can I let
you in on a little secret sweetie, your mama isn’t as brave as you…I have let
my fear keep me from doing something new…I am soo soo incredibly proud of you
for pushing outside your comfort zone.
You love
basketball, and are becoming a scrappy little player…with the floor burns to
prove it! I can’t wait to see how improve and grow in the future. You have
really enjoyed softball this year, you are gaining confidence and trying your
best, I think if you give it some time and practice you’ll become quite the player. But, even if you decide you don’t want to play
basketball or softball anymore, I will always remember this year watching you play
softball and watching your eyes light up as
you talked about basketball.
A month ago
or so I saw a girl who was probably 17 in church, blondish hair pulled up in a
pony tail, athletic shorts and tennis shoes and the sight of her made me catch
my breath, because there was something about her that made me think of
you. It was as if I got a glimpse at
what you were going to look like at that age. You are a beautiful girl both
inside and out; you laugh easily and love fiercely. You are the best baby girl. You light up the world and I can’t wait to
see what comes next for you. EIGHT…how
did this happen so quickly??
Hope this is
the best birthday so far….love you to pieces!
Love always,