Happy Birthday, Gi-Gi!

Monday was the eighth anniversary of when I became a mama. Or, in other words, it was Gi-Gi's eighth birthday. Has it really been eight years? Apparently it has. I won't go into the cliche, "It feels like yesterday...", even though it does. Or the, "It goes by so quickly...", even though it does. Hold on, a moment please to wipe away the tears.

Please pardon a sappy, sentimental Mama. Okay, ready now.

Monday was all about celebrating my girl and her special day! I realize that some of you may not know my sweet Gi-Gi, so permit me a few moments to brag on her, under the pretext of introducing you to her, of course.

Being the eldest is hard sometimes, according to Gi-Gi. Being the eldest in my family, I completely sympathize! She lives up to the responsibility well, however. She is one of the most compassionate people I know. There is no one better to have around when you're sick. She would make an incredible nurse. She is so very anxious to help.


Gi-Gi is girl to the core! She came out that way, I swear. Dresses, skirts, hairbows... You name it, she had to have it on. This is one of the precious things we love about her. I do see big time budget increases in the clothing category as she gets older. Good thing I'm learning to sew! She's a great example to her little sister on all things girly-fied.

Gi-Gi is full of plans. Ever since she was teeny-tiny, she has been full of ideas of things she wants to do, go, and be when she grows up. For a very long time, the plan was to be a mermaid. Well, thankfully, we've gotten out of that stage! Even now, she wants to own a horse ranch, be an astronaut, house homeless people and be a missionary all at the same time. Is the world ready for this girl?



Gi-Gi loves, loves, loves to read! (Yay!) It's a family trait, I think. Really, I am constantly catching her with her nose down in a book. Part of this stems from a huge desire to learn. Library trips find us laden down with at least thirty books checked out at once and about twenty of those are hers. She will read just about anything she can get her hands (or eyes) on.

Some of you may remember me saying that Gi-Gi has the gift of getting freebies! I don't know how or why, but people have always wanted to give her stuff! Free food, toys, books... Okay, now that you're warned, don't look straight into her eyes! You may be inexplicably compelled to give her whatever you have on hand! Don't look! Well, unless it's diamonds or gold. Then, feel completely free!

Another thing we love about Gi-Gi is that she wants to snuggle almost all of the time. Daddy, Mama, Hauntie, Grandma, Nonnie, Papa... All of us are frequently hugged, kissed or just jumped on!

The most important thing we admire and love about Gi-Gi is her love for her Heavenly Father. She really strives to learn and obey His will for her. From a very young age, she has loved Jesus and been so sensitive to His words. Many times in church, I'll look over and there are tears in her eyes, sometimes from the music, sometimes the prayers. Her baptism last year was one of the most emotional times we've experienced in her life.


Our girl on her eighth birthday!

We are so very blessed and thankful to have this beautiful girl in our lives. Our family just wouldn't be complete without her.