Happy Birthday, 'Lijah!!

It's your birthday. The very first anniversary of the day you decided (kindly, in August) to exit the place you were formed a full eight days before you were "due."

It's been such a sweet year, getting to know you... You are a precious treasure to our family. We love how sweetly you love your big brothers and sisters, and how sweetly they love you.

We love how they affectionately call you "Cutie," saying you are too young yet to claim your name of "Cool." (This, we hear, is just around the corner, though. According to Elly, once you become a "taddler" and start walking, that name is yours!) We love Danny's song that he sings to you when you cry. ("Cutie, I wuv you. I even wuv Mommy and Daddy, too!") We love the husky affection in Sammy's voice as he pats your head and declares: "Baby!"

We love how carefully you watch people and how your eyes twinkle when you "escape" upstairs to find your siblings or out the front door to find your daddy. We love how you spontaneously erupt into clapping and cheering.... or dancing, when the beat strikes your fancy.

You are a gift from God to all of us, and we thank Him for you. We love you, and we pray that you'll have a precious birthday, and a wonderful year. And more than anything, we pray that you will know the depth of the love that God has for you and the joy of loving Him!

Happy, happy birthday, Cutie!!