Happy Birthday Emma

Emma is my first baby.  She made me a mom.  That is a gift that can never be replaced!  Today she is 9!

I remember being pregnant with her, giving birth to her, and bringing her home from the hospital like it was today.  All the memories are so vivid.  But, unlike that day the past nine years have passed so quickly.  She is growing up before my eyes and I just wish time would slow down.

Emma was such a cute little baby with the longest legs ever.  She is now a beautiful young girl with the same long legs.  She finally has hair!  She is my only brown eyed girl and they are the biggest brown eyes.  Being her mom, I think she is just beautiful....inside and out!

Emma, you are timid, unsure of lots of attention, hate to fail, and don't like to be criticized.  You have to learn to trust your abilities and to be confident.  Believe in yourself baby....Daddy and I do!

But, when you are presented with a challenge you tackle it with strong determination.  Hating to fail results in you wanting to be...striving to be...refusing not to be successful.  What a gift, but remember success does not always happen.  You learn from failing and it will make you stronger. 

You are also full of love, a helper, a giver.  You have a huge heart.  You are faithful to those you love.  I hope you always share the beauty in your heart with others.

You are creative.  You love to plan and to organize...everything except for your room!  You like to lead.  What great qualities to possess!!

I love your carefree attitude about things.  I love that you don't worry much about what is cool.  I love that you still like to do little girl things. 

You are such a blessing to me and daddy.  You are a great big sister.  Jonah, Samuel, and Elena love you so much and look up to you for everything.  Remember you are a role model.  It can be a tough job.

I know you will have a great year being 9!  You are determined! You are focused on your goals!  I know you will bring us so much joy and happiness!

Happy 9th Birthday Emma!!

We love you so much!

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. 

Romans 12:2 The Message