Hallie is THREE.

Oh my Dear Sweet Girl,


What an overwhelmingly amazing experience it is to be your mom. I can't even express to you how much I adore the young lady you are growing up to be. On one hand, I can't believe you are three whole years old! But on the other, I cannot even remember what life was like before you. You are sugar and spice, sweet and sassy, girly and tough - all at the same time. Your smile melts me and you literally walk around shining a ray of sunshine everywhere you go. You radiate the goodness of God and demonstrate to me that he loves and blesses his children. I look forward to my 'morning hug' every morning and my snuggles every night so much that my day feels wildly incomplete without them...and I generally have to sneak in your room for an extra hug even if I know it will wake you up. That crazy hair that I wake up to fills my heart with joy. You are my side kick, my partner in crime, my shopping buddy, and my fashion model. You are a dirt ball, a princess, dressed to the nines, or my completely naked little love.  Hallie, you make the whole world, and especially my world, a better place. 

This last year has been an amazing one! Your vocabulary is expansive and absolutely hilarious. (Although we are still working on that 'f' sound...which makes it tough when Frozen is your favorite movie!) We went to Disneyland, Maui, and Whistler. You loved Disney but I think you may have loved literally rolling in the sand on the beaches of Maui even more. Your adventurous spirit and fearlessness took you flying down the waterside in Whistler over and over again. You potty trained in a day on the 4th of July on Grandpa Geoff's sailboat and threw away your pacis...(although somehow they made a reappearance at night for you to sleep). And you are preparing to start preschool next week!!! Which is great timing because you have been walking around the house with various backpacks and purses in protest that you don't get to go already, and exclaiming, "I'm BIG for this!" You LOVE dressing up like a princess, wearing high heels, anything that sparkles, and pretending you are Elsa - but absolutely NOT Anna! You literally leave a sparkle (or glitter) everywhere you go! And my days are filled with joy by just simply watching you grow!


Oh Hal, its hard to capture the beauty that you possess with words. Every single day with you is a new adventure and I am the happiest mom when I just get to sit back and watch you explore the world around you. I love it when you come down from your room with an outfit that you pieced together all by yourself! It may include a princess dress, pjs, dress up shoes, a crown, jewels, a baby doll, and purse filled with treasures, all of different colors, and different sizes of polkadots. As long as its fancy (just like "Fancy Nancy") and it sparkles and shines, YOU LOVE IT! You are girly and sweet with the most expressive facial expressions I have ever seen on a little person. All of which just means we cannot get enough of that little personality! You are an absolute treasure!


So my dear Hallie, on this wonderful day - your 3rd Birthday - this is my prayer for you and your life...


Jesus, thank you so much for this gift of life that you have blessed us with.  What an amazing honor it is to be her mom. I pray that your grace would pour out over Hallie's life and that your Holy Spirit would invade every part of who she is. I pray that she would know and truly understand that she is amazingly beautiful. She is the picture of perfection created in YOUR image. You created her as an artist creates a masterpiece and looked upon her and said, "It is good!" Jesus, I pray that Hallie would grow to exude confidence and grace. That she would be amazingly strong, courageous, and dignified, yet incredibly gentle and kind. I pray against any outer influence that says that she is not good enough, or that she is lacking in any way. Lord, I pray that all of her worth would be found in you. God, I pray that Hallie would dream big and love deeply. And Jesus, please guard her heart. Set her apart for you and your will. I pray that your love would envelop her and consume her and she would find herself in you. Lord, protect her heart, her mind, and her body. I pray that your protection would follow her all the days of her life. I am so excited for the days ahead and to watch my baby girl grow into a woman that is chasing after your heart. Before I know it, I will be walking her in to preschool or watching her walk down the sidewalk to kindergarten. And I'm sure my tears will flow as I drop her off for her first day of Jr. High...and then High School. And I am so excited to hear her name announced as she walks across the stage to receive a diploma. And see her Daddy walk her down that aisle - glowing with your love as a beautiful bride. Or to watch her hold her baby in her arms for the first time, and gaze into his/her eyes as I know it is at that moment that she may finally get a glimpse into how much I love her. Jesus, thank you for this precious gift! Please give me wisdom to be her mom...To love her every single day of her life, to encourage her always and to be her biggest fan. I pray that you would be apparent in all of my words and all of my actions. Lord, help me to strive to demonstrate your love for Hallie in a tangible way in hopes that it will give her the smallest peak into who you are. Just as her name means "Praise God", all I can do is praise you for this precious life. May Hallie grow into the amazing woman that you have called her to be!


Amen.

Hallie Belle, you are a captivating and beautiful masterpiece. I am positive that you are going to change this world and I cannot wait to see your future unfold! I love you my sweet Dolly!

I love you,
Mom