♥ Happy 2nd Birthday, Allie! ♥

Dear Allie,

I can't believe you are turning 2 today! That just doesn't seem possible as it feels like it was only yesterday that I was holding you for the very first time. I can remember that day so vividly. It was August 21, 2007. You were 6 months old and I was so excited and nervous about meeting you . . . hoping you would somehow know me as your mother. Despite my anxiety, that moment was so absolutely perfect! You didn't cry at all, but looked up at me with your beautiful brown eyes - so inquisitive and curious and I knew in an instant that you were my daughter. My heart overflowed with love for YOU!

And now . . . 2 years later, I can't imagine my life without you.

I can't resist your sweet hugs and many kisses that brighten the darkest of my days. And your laughter and giggles are infectious . . . always making me laugh with you. I love the way you love your brothers . . . and your daddy. You melt their hearts with your constant adoration and I know that you have all of them wrapped around your tiny little finger. You are truly the princess in our castle and we wouldn't have it any other way.

I love the way you are a constant chatterbox! Oh, how you love to talk and talk and talk! You ask me a million questions and want to know everything! Your vocabulary is extraordinary and you are one smart little cookie. You amaze me daily with your determination and desire to learn. I couldn't be more proud of you!

I love how animated you are and how excited you get about everything. You love Elmo, Dora and baby dolls and your favorite show is Hi-5! You are a fabulous sleeper and napper and you still love to eat anything in sight - and that includes all vegetables and fruit. :) You love to play outside and jump on the trampoline with your brothers and you are so fun to watch.

But boy do you have a sassy side . . . with one hot temper! And you can make a mess faster than I can turn around. Yes, you definitely keep me on my toes - but it is so fun watching your personality develop and grow into the little person that you are.

Today, especially, I can't help but to think of your birth mother and foster mother. I pray for them everyday and hope they know that you are deeply loved. I pray for peace in their hearts and happiness in their lives and I hope they know how grateful I am for the care they showed you.

I love you, Allie, and I will forever. I can't tell you how often tears fall when I sit and watch you play - tears of happiness because I am just so thankful to have YOU. I am so grateful that our Father in Heaven brought us together as mother and daughter. You are so very special and have brought so much joy and laughter into our home. I am humbled and honored to be your mother . . . I am the lucky one!

Today, we celebrate the gift of Allie! How blessed we are to have her!

3 days old

6 months old

12 months old

18 months old

Happy 2nd Birthday, Allie!

Here are Allie's 2 year old photos.
Her personality just shines through these pictures! :)
I love them all.

She will be having a "Dora" party next weekend!

Thanks to Nancy for the beautiful birthday outfits!

As much as we are celebrating today, we are also mourning . . . because February 20th is also the day that Jacob was diagnosed with cancer. Jacob's Site has been updated, too. It is often said that celebrations and mournings, joys and sadness go hand in hand - and that couldn't be more true - especially today! But how wonderful for God to take such a difficult day for our family and turn it into a day of celebrating. How amazing is that?! God is faithful and His grace is sufficient!

Ending with a scripture . . .

"Every good and perfect gift is from God."
James 1:17

Celebrating the gift of our daughter,