Happy Birthday Lyla!!!

May 19, 2011

Dearest Ly,

There is a lot that can be said about daughters. Sugar and spice... well these past four years haven't been everything nice, but you have been my JOY.

In this past year you have grown into a little social butterfly with a knack for friendship. I was even told that one of your best buddies has an imaginary friend named Lyla that he takes everywhere with him (: You can keep up with the boys even though you prefer to wear dresses. You like a good game of "tackle" but you like to wear my lipstick. You are a good friend because you are kind, you care, and you accept the differences of others. You know that loving God and loving your friends is what makes you truly beautiful.

If I could create the perfect big sister for Eve, it would be you. Your strong personality and silly sense of humor lift her spirits. I had to smile when you congratulated her on an impressive burp with a "nice one Eve!" and laughter! You will challenge her to grow and succeed. You are her perfect speech therapist, she will learn so much from you. The word she says the most often and most clearly is "Lyla." She loves you so much!

When we were first looking into adoption or foster care, I told you there were kids who didn't have parents, or who couldn't live with their parents anymore, and before I got to my big explanation you said "They can live with us! They can be in our family!" Your love for others is beautifully genuine, and your acceptance reminds me to put others first and to love others every day.

I love you more than the sun and the moon. Through countless doctor's visits, surgeries, hospitalizations, and therapy sessious you have been my partner in crime, my travel buddy, and my sunshine. The hospital could be so depressing without you there to point out every statue that happens to be naked. Without you, who would push all of the elevator buttons, locate every bottle of hand sanitizer, or find the pink milk in the cafeteria? You know how to humble me, like asking me why I have lines on my forehead. You know I didn't have any of those 4 years ago right!? (:

HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY LYLA! Thanks for loving me. I can't wait to see how you continue to grow in the next 5, 10, 25, 50 years. There's no doubt in my mind you can do anything you set your mind to.

Love, Mom