beautiful fat feet: happy birthday, gracie!

fourteen years ago today, the world became a more beautiful place. at 1:30 in the evening our little family of three become four when into our lives came a beautiful blond baby girl. nicknamed snow baby in the hospital because of her cotton top hair, she was the most amazing thing my little six year old self had ever seen.

my parents waited until my mom was five months into her pregnancy before telling me i had a little sister on the way. even then, i wasn't good at waiting on things. although i only had to wait four months, it seemed like an eternity, and i couldn't believe the day was finally there. i remember sitting in the waiting area in amory, mississippi with my family. i can still see myself sitting there with mopsey (grandmother...everyone needs a mopsey), holding my box of little pink cigars, repeatedly asking how much longer. finally, my dad took me on a walk around the hospital hoping to occupy me for a little while longer, which resulted in him almost missing the delivery. oops.

when i was finally allowed back, all i wanted to do was hold her. i remember planning all of the little adventures i would soon get to have with that little blond haired angel. and no doubt have we had more than i can even recount.

to gracie:

grace, when i say you are my best friend, i truly mean it. only you know me better than anyone else. i remember holding you for the first time. mom kept telling me to be careful with you because you were so fragile. and today, here you are..a beautiful, strong young woman. although i know you can hold your own ground (you can bruise me without effort for crying out loud), i still see you as a fragile, little girl in need of the most careful protection. i cringe at the thought of your heart being hurt. and while i remember how big i felt at the age of fourteen, i now realize now how crucial this season of your life is for you. don't get in a hurry to pass through into the next phase of life. enjoy the right now. laugh until your little rosy cheeks hurt, and tears stream down your face. play outside. dance around in your room. sing even when no one is listening. believe it or not, there will be a day when those things won't happen near as often, and you'll long to have those moments back. november 13, 1998, you were the most beautiful girl i had ever seen, and today, you still are. you are a beautiful child of HIS. He has such beautiful plans for you. never, ever settle for less than His very best.

fourteen years ago, my six year old plans for our future adventures mostly was limited to camping in the living room, climbing trees, and playing with dolls. i'm so thankful for those young years of our lives, but i think i would have to say my favorite adventures are the ones we are in now. the talks about life. the loud taylor swift jam sessions. the roller coasters. the laughs.