Words cannot even describe the JOY that fills my heart whenever you are around. When I was pregnant with you, Mommy and Daddy picked your life verse we wanted to claim for you and pray for you..."Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17). I began praying immediately for you to have the gift of joy. And it seems that God has answered my prayers above and beyond. You are the definition of joy, Ella. You have life and joy and smiles and giggles just bursting from you! You make everyone smile around you, and you have so much excitement for whatever is happening around you. You squeal and speak in high-pitched voices whenever you get excited about something. You talk to anyone and everyone. I grab your hand, and we run to the car or to the bathroom at the park, and you immediately start giggling. This is seriously amazing. You have this incredible gift to seize the moment and enjoy it fully. May this never leave you, sweet girl. May you continue to be a girl, and later, a woman, of joy. I pray this over your precious life.
Ella, you adore your big brothers and your baby sister, and they love you so much, too. You sometimes drive Sammy crazy, trying to mess up his elaborate toy plans or take something that he wants, but most of the time, you guys play so well together, having so much fun playing and laughing and launching off the side of the couch and being silly together. You are, by far, Sophia's favorite person. She wakes up in her crib and says, "Ella??!!! Ella??!!!" (which actually sounds like, "Eh--waaa!") She always wants to know where you are, and if you are sleeping while we are driving in the car, she screams your name, trying to wake you up. The sister bond that you two share already is beautiful, and I know it will only deepen as the years go on. I am so, so happy that you have a sister to share life with forever.
You are a girl of adventure, Ella. You jump all the time, you leap off things, you climb like crazy, and you move all the time! You LOVE to swim, and you leap off the side of the pool with reckless abandon over and over and over. Or last night, when we swam at Grandma and Grandpa's hotel, you laid on the side of the pool and slithered in like a little seal, over and over and over. You go go go until your head hits the pillow (perhaps like someone I know...) I love the spirit with which you live your life, Ella. I love that you are an adventure-girl. It is so fun to watch you!
You love all things girly...pink, purple, pretty, and princess-y. You love your nails painted, you love to play with babies and tea sets and pretend cell phones. You love jewelry and high heels, hats, and dressing up.
Your mind is brilliant...you seem to keep track of everything going on around you. One morning, you started reciting the books of the Old Testament in order, and I realized you had been listening all along to the boys learning them for school. You memorize verses and songs, and you sing them regularly. Precious beyond precious.
You love bananas, noodles, cheese, chicken, strawberries, tacos, and beans. You love chips and salsa. You like to drink in a big-girl cup now, and you still say, "milt" for milk. In fact, this is something we have hesitated to correct in you because it is so precious. You say, "tootie" for cookie, "Lute" for Luke, and "tute" for cute. You also say, "foon" for spoon and "file" for smile. You are starting to correct this, which is probably a good thing, but kinda sad, too. We love your sweet mannerisms. You talk with such drama and expression. You tilt your head to the side and throw your hand out with grand gestures. It is highly entertaining.
A year ago, you were making messes ALL day EVERY day, and now you only make mischievous messes once or twice a day, getting into toothpaste or lotion or the pantry. I'll take it. :-) After all your craziness, you still love to snuggle up in the rocking chair before naptime and have me sing to you (either Steven Curtis Chapman's "Cinderella" or the "My Sweet Baby" song). This is, by far, one of my favorite parts of the day.
Ella Bella, you bring so much life to our family, and we love you to pieces. I cannot imagine life without you. You are the happiest and cutest and sweetest girl I have ever known. It is contagious and inspiring, and I pray you will only continue to inspire others around you towards choosing happiness.
Happy THIRD Birthday, Ella Girl.
Love you.
Mommy
Some of my favorite and recent pictures of my Ella...living life to the full, as always...
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