Another birthday letter.

Dear Eldora,
Eight years ago this morning a beautiful little lady came into my world.

We named her Eldora Emerald.

A beautiful name for a beautiful baby(and you REALLY were a beautiful baby...... I might even go as far as saying you were the cutest of all my newborns...... but don't tell you brothers and sisters I said that).

You had a tiny and perfect round head topped with soft wisps of black hair.

Pale white skin and the most kissable pink cheeks.

You had stunningly piercing grey/blue baby eyes and sweetly puckered rosebud lips.

And now you are eight years old.

You are my wild child. The one that keeps me guessing the most.

Just when I think I have you figured out

you spin and evolve deeper into who you are becoming.

You change often.

Your likes,

your dislikes,

your interests,

your clothes.

You can be shy and reserved or a boisterous leader.

You are strong and fierce but tender-hearted and sweet.

You laugh from some deep place in your soul and when that laugh comes I have no other choice but to be captured by it.

You make me smile before I even mean to.

Some days you remind me of myself. The way you tell a story and your fingers arch back(those fingers come from your great grandmother Julia).

Other days I can clearly see your Auntie Jennifer's smile across your cheeks and over your eyes.

Your quirky humor was handed to you by your father and is seamlessly executed in your own special way.

Every now and then I catch a glimpse of your older sister in the vast scope of your emotions, the flip of your hair or the way you wrap you whole body around me when you hug me.

But most of the time, you surprise me with you uniqueness.

You are all you in every way. Confident. Bold.

Your hazel eyes are still as stunning as at your birth.

Deep, knowing and uniquely yours.

Some times I worry about you(as mothers do).

The things that make you strong can often get in your way(as is often the case).

The intensity of your tears can often match the intensity of your laughter.

Your confidence can lead to stubbornness.

But, my love......

more than anything I am filled with love and excitement for you.

You are becoming. Every day, bit by bit.

You are beautiful inspired creation of a perfect and knowing God.

You are loved by Him fully and wonderfully

and today I thank Him and praise Him for you.

For your life and how it is folded into mine.

I am thankful for the 8 years we have grown together and I am giddy with excitement at the thought of the years ahead of us.

Happy birthday my beloved daughter, Eldora Emerald.

Love,

your mom