Happy Birthday, Eliana!!

I don't know how many times this year we've looked at you and said, or thought, "Wow. She's really growing up."  Certainly seems like it's been a transition year for you, Sweet Girl.  We don't doubt that you love life. You put your whole heart into everything you do, in your lovely, quiet way.  And yet the depth of that heart sometimes just...blows us away.

You lost a baby brother or sister a wee bit more than a year ago, and I know that's changed how you see life.  I don't think that, since that time, I've heard you pray without also hearing you reflect those changes. Thank you, Sweetie. Thank you for trusting God with such huge things. And thank you so much for your prayers for me and for your unborn sibling. And thank you for sharing your heart. You don't know how much that has touched our hearts.

You are changing... from a child, to a young lady. You love to read, you love art, you love animals... you love your family, close and far away.  You love your friends and flowers and Hello Kitty. And we love you. We're so thankful to have you as our first-born child.  You are a precious gift from God, and we love seeing you grow.

We hope and pray that this next year has beautiful things in store for you. We pray that you grow in your love for God, and that you find true peace and joy in His abundant love for you.  We love you, Eliana!

Happy, happy birthday, Baby Girl!!