Addyson Grace

Addy girl,

How is it that you are 5 years old today? How could 5 years have flashed by so quickly that I still remember so many vivid details? How I sat up at 2AM watching Home Improvement because I was just too excited to sleep. Or that they told us to expect you around 1PM but after only 4 short hours you arrived at 10:30AM, just as all your grandparents arrived at the hospital. How can I still remember looking at you and thinking how very tiny you were, only 5 lbs and 10oz. I can still picture your daddy holding you for the first time and walking you to me. I can hear The Price is Right playing in the background. So you see, it can't be 5 years that have passed.

My precious daughter, you fill me up in ways that no one else could. Each of my sweet girls has that ability. Your heart, while tender, isn't as open as you big sisters or as loving as your little sisters but it still has room to care. You became the middle child last year. Something that seemed so scary. You handled it with more grace and joy than I could have imagined. You love your little sister with all of your heart. You are her very best friend. I know people talk about how hard it is as the middle child, but they should see how great you took to the role of big sister. When Avery got her first round of shots you cried right along with her. It broke your heart to see her hurting. Do you realize, that is where your heart is biggest? You can't stand to see someone hurting and you always want to make it better. You are our bandaid queen. Maybe this means that one day you will be a nurse or a doctor.

In 5 years I have watched you change so much. You have lost your "baby fat" and are this long skinny child with a mass of curly hair and we never can quite figure out just where you came from. Sometimes you look like Momma, and sometimes more like Daddy. You are a unique child though. You have opinions and you are not easily swayed. While most little girls your age love princesses you could take them or leave them. A car or a tractor however are prized possesions. You look darling in bright girly clothes and you like to wear dresses but you look the most like yourself in jeans, boots, and a belt. You always tell us you look like Daddy.

You started big school this year. I was so worried about how Pre-K would handle you but I must say that the transition has been amazing. Sweet girl, you haven't gotten a frowny face all year! Do you know how much that excites this Momma who just knew you would be kicked out by day two?! Not that you are bad, far from it. You just like to choose your direction and you don't always see things from others points of view. But you love your teacher and she loves you so I know you try very hard to please her.

Addyson, words couldn't express the joy you have brought into our lives. You filled an empty place 5 years ago and I am thankful beyond words that God picked ME to be your Mommy! I love you so much and I always will. I can not wait to see all the great things that are in store for you now that you are a "whole hand" old!

Momma