{nine}

I've spent some time recently looking through old pictures and scrapbooks... and remembering just how fast time flies. I think it's one of those things a mom never stops thinking about from the moment her first little one is born. They grow so quickly, and each age brings a new blessings and trials and memories and madness and beauty. Life is beautiful.

Emma turned nine yesterday. Nine. Wowzer!

We sat at the table tonight, over a heaping plate of spaghetti (her favorite food), and told stories of when she was little(r). How she weighed 8 pounds when she was born, had the softest cry and slept 22 hours a day. She grew like crazy, loved to be carried and loved being held by any fella that came by the house. So much has changed, and yet so many things have remained the same. I've been praying that this year she'll continue to nourish her soft heart and her care for those around her, to be courageous when necessary and humble always. (Luke 1:46-55)

Since I've been digging through some old shots, I figured I'd add one of the birthday girl at 3 years old. Wasn't it yesterday when they were small?

It took nine years for her to come within a few inches of my height, but only an instant for me to fall in love with her. Happy birthday to my baby girl.