She’s the littlest. My baby out of nine.

Her six year molars came in early, and we are working her front teeth wiggly because the permanent ones are already coming in behind. I feel sad every time she outgrows a size and I donate her clothes… it’s reminder that there was no baby after her.

I wonder if she will always seem small and young, since everyone else is bigger? Just five years old and she wants a baby brother or sister, but she will excitedly settle for being an auntie if her married siblings ever get around to having babies.

She is my cheerleader. I’ve lost count of how many times she has told me I am gorgeous. Do I tell her often enough? May she never lost sight of where her beauty comes from.

Her newest affirmation? “You’re the perfect Mommie for me!” Oh, you know there is a Melody shaped piece to my heart. She is the perfect one for me. God was so wise when He loaned her to me.

I was brushing her hair this week, being careful of the crimps that college daughter used to put those sparkly extensions in her hair… she suddenly sucked her breath in so she could tell me what had her excited. “I can’t wait to go to heaven!” she gushed. “Can you wait, Mommie?” she asked. “Aren’t you excited to see Jesus!”

Oh, the mix of emotions. The guilt, even, as the thoughts flooded my brain… I am excited to see Jesus, but I can wait if it means I get to teach you more about Him. I’m so GLAD you love Him! But I want to hold you awhile longer. I can’t wait to see how God is going to use your life… but may you always feel the way you do now.

It is what I have been praying for her whole conceived life… that she will love God and cherish His heart. Even now, I pray that she will have an insatiable desire for His Word. Those three little words that every (Christian) mother longs to hear their children say… I love Jesus. 🙂

Pray for your children, Mamas! Every. Day. Of. Their. Lives.

All personal photos, taken at home, camp, VBS, and the NIV Bible.