Nine years ago last week we welcomed a tiny, sick, premature baby into our family and became parents for the first time. She has grown into an amazing, beautiful girl who will be a young woman before we know it. This is her birthday letter (part of it at least…) from this year:
You are nine years old. My heart bursts with gratitude for the girl you are becoming. As I watched you open gifts last night for your birthday you were so grown up and polite and genuine as you found delight in each present you had been given. I did not have to remind you to say thank you and you were so grateful and so quick to appreciate what you received. It reflected a growing up, maturing heart that is often a beautiful reflection of Jesus to those around you.
Your heart for others Rylee, its amazing. And for years now I’ve agonized over the lack of friends for you in our life and how hard daily life with your brother can be day in and day out. You endure a lot with him and sometimes you have such a great time. But there are days that he hurts you with words, hands and attitude. We’ve tried our best to provide friendship-making-opportunities for you but nothing great has panned out.
Until now. God has heard our many prayers and He has opened up new doors with a sweet group of girls that I can see becoming long time, precious friends for you. He cares so much about you. He knew just who you would be and just what you would need. As you head into the pre-teen years, you will crave companions and these new girls are perfectly suited to share life with you. They love animals, they are in 4-H, they go to our co-op, they have parents who love Jesus….the list goes on. I just want to make sure I wrote you about how faithful God has continued to be to you and how much we see Him in and around you.
You love to put your baby brother down for naps and are so proud when you get him to sleep. You often ask me if I got much sleep when you see me in the morning. You are quick to help with meal preparation and love, love to organize things. You share. A lot. You are the apple of your little cousin Ruby’s eye. I’m pretty sure you’ll need chiropractic help for your back after all the time you LOVE spending holding little ones.
You’ve identified our baby pattern and have resolved that the “next baby God gives us will be a boy”. It’s that simple to you. Our value of life, all life, is so internalized in you – it often truly blows me away. How you will live out your life and your purpose with driving truths as counter culture as these I do not know. I do know that your dad and I cannot wait to see your life continue to unfold. Your sensitivity to what is going on around you in the lives, faces and hearts of others is far, far beyond your years.
YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL.
YOU ARE OUR TREASURE.
Our life, our family is so, so much better because of you.
Happy 9th birthday sweet girl!
Modeling the pillowcase dress she sewed last week at a 4-H sewing workshop! After she shows it at the fair it will be donated to an orphanage in Haiti.
Table for Six 