This Cow Girl Is Four!

Madeline Grace, my sweet Boo Bear, you are four!  How did that happen?  Didn't we just take you to see Dora Live for your second birthday?  Wasn't it just a short while ago that we celebrated the age of three with Abby, Elmo, and Cookie Monster?  You are growing and changing so fast!  I know . . . I say this every birthday, but it's true.  And, though I am with you every day--watching you blossom, learn, evolve, and grow older, I am never prepared for the shock of another year gone by.  So much has happened in the last 365 days!  You learned how to spell your name and then to write it.  You became a big sister--a great one at that!  You started learning how to read; and, now you read a new story each week.  You learned how to ride your first big girl bike, how to sit in "big church," and how to make your bed.  You are such a big girl.

Sweet Madeline I love you so much!  I love how demonstrative and articulate you are--how you use words like "actually," "anyhow," "naturally," "grateful," or "literally."  I love that you are quick to point us to Christ--whether we are stressing over something that is not important and you want to remind us that Jesus is the most important thing; or, whether it is thunder storming and you faithfully remind us that God will take care of us and keep us in the shadow of His wings.  Thank you!  I love how you have to have things a certain way; how you like to know what you should expect ahead of time, and that you thrive when you have a routine.  This lets me know that you are indeed my child too--even though you look like your Daddy's kiddo!  I especially love this "cow girl" phase.  Cow girl was one of my favorite things to play when I was a little girl and it brings me so much joy to see you slip on my old cow boy boots when you are wearing your favorite jeans, or your pj's--doesn't matter, a cow girl just needs her boots on!

You bring Mommy, Daddy, Hannah, and Emerson so much joy!  We love you and hope you have a wonderful year as a four year old.  I am so glad that we get to share it with you.  We are very blessed and thank God for putting you in our care four short years ago!