Thursday, April 25, 2013

Lainey

dear lainey,
 i can't BELIEVE tomorrow you will be thirteen! yikes! where exactly has the time gone? you are growing up so fast that it makes my heart ache. proud is an understatement when i think of how i feel about you. everything i always wanted to be in life...you already are. kind, sensitive, caring, funny, protective, loving, smart, brave, patient and BEAUTIFUL. but i have to say...what i am most in awe of...is your love for God. your desire to soak up everything you can about Him, teach others about Him...be like Him. you have a precious gift with your compassionate heart. i was amazed when last year...you went on your first mission trip...and sent me a text saying you lead a sweet little girl to Christ. it made me cry....and i was SO proud.
 when you were little, i used to say to you, "pretty is as pretty does"....and i have never met anyone who portrays that more than you. your smile can light up a room, but your heart is what touches people...from young to old. to hear adults tell me that their child says..."lainey is known as the girl who is nice to everyone"....(and that is TOUGH in middle school) makes my heart want to burst with pride. because... see... YOU already have it figured out. it's not "things" or "popularity" that matter in life...but how you make people feel on the inside that counts. i can't wait to see what God has in store for you... i am SO proud to call you my daughter. you changed my life..and made me a better person. i love you more than words could possibly say. happy happy birthday.

love,
mom :)