10

Dear Ellie, 

Today you are 10. Double digits. Two whole hands. And although the calendar tells me this is true, my mind cannot grasp it. Because wasn't this just last week?

For 10 years, we have had the most amazing comic relief in our house. God gave you an extra dose of humor, and you have the ability to make us all double over in laughter. You love life and your laughter is contagious.

You love your family. You keep us all on our toes and know exactly which buttons to push for each of of us. But, you love deeply and serve us well. I can always count on you to take care of whoever is sick. You clear our dishes from the table and give mom and dad massages after a long day. And even though you give your brothers grief most days, they would be the first to stand up to anyone who dared to hurt you. 

You're the perfect balance of gentle and rough and tumble. You can be all girl for a while, and then wrestle with the boys - and win! You love horses, fingernail polish, unicorns, superheroes and hockey. If you've been watching My Little Pony, the next thing you'll choose is The Avengers. 

You struggle in school more than most people will ever know. I won't pretend this past year of homeschooling has been rainbows, because we both know that's a mighty big lie. But, we made it through and learned a lot about ourselves (and reading and math and spelling) and what God can do when we finally surrender to what He wants - or maybe that was just my lesson. 

I saw a quote by Shakespeare several years ago when you were younger that said "Though she be but little, she is fierce!" 

Baby girl, that is you. You may not be so little anymore, but that fierceness is there. You can do ANYTHING you put your mind to. You have always found a way to reach whatever goal is in front of you - whether its reaching the diaper cream while inside your crib during naptime or figuring out how to do a back flip, you have always accomplished whatever you decided you would accomplish. I pray you always remember that God is the one who lives in you enabling you to do those things.

Every once in a while, you'll write us a thank-you note that says "Thank you for adopting me." You've got it all wrong, though. You shouldn't be thanking us. We're the ones who are so full of gratitude to God for allowing us to parent you. You have added more laughter and joy to our family than we ever could have imagined. 

10 years old. It's only just the beginning, Ellie. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, and I cannot wait to see what God has in store for you.

Happy birthday, my brown-eyed girl.

Love, 

Mama