Letter to my Little Lady on her 2nd Birthday

My sweet Little Lady is turning two on Sunday. Here is my birthday love letter to her:

Dear Little Lady,
Happy Birthday my Love! How did these two years pass already? My sweet girl, I have so much to say for you. And so many hopes for you. Do you know that? I think that you do.
After your brothers I thought our family was complete. I didn't think I wanted any more babies. And then, out of nowhere, I knew I wanted another one. Two months later, I found out that you were growing inside of me. What joy I felt!
My pregnancy with you was full of emotional ups and downs. Far more than with your brothers, but I still cherished growing you inside of me.

Photo by Rebecca Staley

The day you were born was one of the happiest days of my life. It was also one of the scariest, and most exhausting days.We didn't know it while I was pregnant with you, but after you were born, the staff told us that "there's something wrong with her legs". I had no idea what that meant, but I knew that they just took my baby girl to the NICU. What a blessing that you weren't there very long, and you were able to come home with us. It felt like forever before we started to get some answers about your condition.

 We have some answers, but we still have so much to find out. Mostly, the scariness is gone. Mostly.
Being your mommy is hard work. Not because you are a hard child. Your sweet disposition and sunny smile fill my heart. The hard part is all of the appointments, and therapies, and putting you through so much. I wish that you were able to just enjoy being a baby toddler. On those days when we're rushing from physical and occupational therapy, to some Dr, and missing naps and getting cranky... what I wouldn't give to just be able to take you to the park and play any time we want. But you handle it with such grace. Never in my life would I have thought that I'd be saying a two year old handled things with grace, until you.
The love, the bond that I have with you... it's different than what I have with your big brothers. Is it because you're the only girl? Because of your special needs? Because you are my youngest? A combination of those, I think. It's not that I love you more than them. But it is indeed very different... so hard to explain.

Photography by Allison Hays

Photography by Rosa Moore with Moore Photography

Photo by Rosa Moore @ Moore Photography

I jokingly tell people that you are my sidekick or my partner in crime. I don't mind spending so much time with you. I love it, actually. I look forward to so many more years of it. I hope that you will always feel the same way.
You stole my heart Little Lady. I never even knew that I wanted a little girl, until I had you. Now I can't imagine life without you.
I'm so proud of you. I am proud of how happy you are all the time. I am proud of how long and how hard you work to learn and do new things.
I am just so glad that you are mine.
You help me appreciate the little things. You help me remember what's really important.
You make me smile, laugh, cry, scream, and fight. But I wouldn't have it any other way.
Happy Birthday my sweet little girl. Thank you for being you.
Love Always,
Mommy

Just for Fun Friday: A Letter to The Hubs on our Decade Anniversary

Today is mine and The Hubs 10 year wedding anniversary. So in honor of our decade of wedded bliss, I'm writing a letter to my other half, and sharing it with anyone who is so inclined to read it.

 Dear The Hubs, 
Wow. 10 years. I guess we're really "grown ups" now, huh? Because you must be if you've married that long, right? Even if we started off young. (Which we did). I feel so lucky; I know that we are in a minority. So many people who get married as young as we did, only last a short while. As they "grow up" they also grow apart. But not us. We've grown together. And I love that about us. That's not to say that it's always been an easy journey (it hasn't) or that we always see eye to eye (we don't), but it does mean that even on the occasions where we don't like one another very much, we still love each other. That's big, ya know? 
I remember when we got engaged, we said "divorce is not an option." I still feel that way. I know that you do too. This unity of ours is so much more than "just a piece of paper". I still want to be this half of a whole, no matter what. Good, bad, rich (ha!), poor, sick, healthy, stressed, happy. Because at the end of the day, you are my safe place.
I love the way we compliment one another. I bring you up, you bring me down. We get each other on an even keel. 
And just look at what we've created together! These 3 little lives that are an extension of our love. How I love mothering the children we've made together. How I love parenting with you, side by side.
When I look to the future, I see us, still together. I see us following the path that your grandparents laid out before us. I love that. I loved them, and what they had.  I want to be the one driving around with a personalized license plate that says "60 Years in Love"... because that is some serious bragging rights!
So today, 10 years into our married life, I want to say thank you. Thank you for being my best friend. Thank you for being the one that I laugh with, the one that I live for, the one that I love.
I am so excited for all of our years together.
I love you with my whole heart,
~Jenn

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Letter to my "Big Boy" on his 8th Birthday

Dear Big Boy,
Happy Birthday to You! YOU'RE GROWING TOO FAST!!!!
You were my first miracle. I had hoped, and prayed for you. I cried and cried thinking that you would never be mine. I dreamed of you. I wished on stars, and threw pennies into wells.
It was a physical, mental, emotional time. I was young, but time and circumstance didn't seem to be on my side. And I just knew in my heart of hearts that I was meant to be your mommy. Finally, I found out that I was carrying you inside of me. My instincts told me you were there, and then a test confirmed it. Then my instincts told me that you were a little boy, and it wasn't very long until that was confirmed as well. What a blessing! I felt such joy knowing that you were going to be in my arms soon.
The years have flown by. They have been wonderful years. You are so big now, and so mature. We have very similar personalities and sometimes butt heads. You know how to get under my skin. But, you are kind and generous, and responsible. You are competitive, and passionate. You are so smart, and so inquisitive. You are clever and witty, and hilarious. This world is very lucky that you have entered it. I am very lucky to have you in my life. I am so proud of the young man that you are becoming, and I anticipate watching you become an amazing man. Thank you for being the boy that you.
Love always and forever,
Mommy

Letter to my "Little Boy" on his 5th Birthday

Dear Little Boy,
Happy Birthday my sweet boy! How is it that five years have already passed since your birth? It just doesn't seem possible. I remember so clearly the day that I found out you were growing inside of me. It was such a special day because my sister was having her 1st baby that day too. Our family was growing by the minute, and so full of love.

I remember my labor and delivery with you as if it were just yesterday.
My labor with you was long and hard. Thank God that the delivery was quick, because I was exhausted.
And when all the pain was over, and you were nuzzled up next to me, I felt so complete. You were mine.

Out of our three babies, you were the only one that "wasn't planned". But I would never say that you were an accident. Oh, no... you were desperately wanted. I just never thought that you would be mine. I didn't think I would be able to have any more babies after your brother. And then I was blessed with my surprise baby. You were also the only one out of my three that I got to hold immediately after birth. Both your brother and sister were taken to the other side of the room for various reasons, leaving my arms empty for too long. But not you... you were placed right on my chest. What a reward after all of that hard work! You were my only induced labor too, and that meant, my longest labor. And out of the three of you, you're the only one who doesn't have a "family name" or a namesake. I guess that you are the exception.
Over the years, it's been clear to everyone that you are a "Mama's Boy". It's true though. And you act so much like your daddy, it's no wonder you and I get along so well. You're my "Baby Boy". You are the last baby boy that will be mine. It's such a bittersweet idea. I love watching you learn and grow, but Oh! How I miss you being so tiny and squishy. I love that you still smoosh into me, so small. It's like your sweet little body just doesn't wanna outgrow your mama.
You are stubborn, and headstrong. You are silly and sensitive. You are loving, you are kind. You are a fabulous big brother, and an admiring little brother. You are incredibly carefree. I love that so much about you. You have grown into such a handsome boy. I often find myself looking upon you with wonderment that I could create such a sweet little person.
My heart has been blessed with so much joy because of you, and I can't imagine this world without you. I am so glad that you are my boy.

 So today, I want to wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY as you embark on the adventure of your fifth year. The year where you'll start kinder and leave me 5 days a week. The year where you will start to "know things" and become so smart and such a know-it-all. The year where I will yearn for these young years to stay pure and innocent for as long as they can. Please don't stop being my baby. Please don't get too cool for me. I don't think that my mommy heart can handle it. And please know, that forever and always, I will love you more than you could ever understand.
Love,
Mommy


"Childhood is a short season."~Helen Hayes

Dear Mom, Love, Me

Here, in honor of Mother's Day, I am writing a "letter" to my mom.

Dear Mom,
I've been thinking all week of what I would put into this letter. Why is it so hard for me to write a letter that I'm fairly certain you'll never read?  I have so much to say, yet nothing to say at all.
I guess I'll start by saying that I'm so, so grateful that you are here for me to say 'something or nothing' to. Only a year ago... we didn't know what the future would hold. We were scared.We were uncertain. But here we are now, and you are strong, and you are healthy. Your body is free of disease. Your head is fuzzy with the new hair that is growing back. You are thinking about getting your "Survivor" tattoo soon. I think that's awesome.
I know we don't talk every day. I know that I'm the only one of your children that doesn't call you or stop by every day. I'm sorry... I know that must be hard for you. But I know that you understand (I hope that you do). My own children keep me so busy. And it doesn't mean that I love you any less.
You and I have had our struggles. We have had huge blown up fights over trivial matters. (Thank God that hasn't happened in a long time!!) But when the going get's tough... we're their for each other. You have leaned on me during two major and upsetting life events. I have leaned on you during two different major and upsetting life events. When it comes to the important stuff, we understand one another. After all, I came from within you.
There are so many things I love about you. 
I love that when I was little, I didn't want to eat store bought cookies, because I knew that my mommy made cookies that were so much better.
I love that, to this day, if someone strokes my hair or rubs my back, I become instantly relaxed to the point of falling asleep. That's how you would get me to sleep when I was little.
I love that you passed on your love of thriftiness to me.
I love how much you read to me and my sisters when we were young. Now I love to read.
I love that when my boys spent the night with you last summer, you set up a tent and camped with them in the backyard.
I love that you come to almost all of the baseball games for the boys. Even the early, too hot, or too cold ones. They have an awesome cheerleader!
I love that you buy cards for me sometimes for no reason at all. Or that you buy just the right card for a specific reason.
I love that you believe in me.
I love that when I make something, I can count on you to love it and show enthusiasm.
I love that you showed me how to love being a mom.
I love that you are my mom.  

I am so glad that you are here. I'm so thankful for the thirty Mother's Day's you've been here. I'm so glad that we're going to have more.

"I Love You the Whole World & Fifty Bucks"
"I Wuv You More Than AnyFing Eeeeelllllllsssssseeeeee!!"

Love Always,
Your First Baby

I also love that you stayed up all night making these dorky (and wonderful!!) costumes for the Oregon Trail day at my school. And then we were the only ones that dressed up! One of my favorite memories! THANK YOU!

(I'm linking this up with Angie In The Thick Of It's Mother's Day Link Party!!! Come on over and Party with Us!)

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