five.

this girl turns five today. she is all girl.  her required daily wardrobe is a headband, a skirt and a cute shirt. she might wear pants if she can put a skirt on top. (good thing we live in florida.)  if it sparkles or looks remotely like a flower or could function in anyway as an accessory, she loves it.  if it can be cut out or glued or colored like a rainbow, she is all over it. she spends her days dancing to chris tomlin or to her latest made-up song... and every expression comes complete with a sparkle in those big, blue eyes.

she has inherited my bad habits of biting her fingernails and having a perpetually disastrous room... but she also has my love for all things people. she has not missed her long hair one bit, though i do every now and then.

her giggle is contagious, and her cheeks are almost edible. it blesses me so to hear her excitedly recite God's Word, and it humbles me to see her in tears after i've been too harsh with her delicate heart. praise the Lord, she is quick to forgive and quick to love... because i'm afraid that on most days, my impatience outweighs my compassion. i often find myself overreacting to her overreacting. (cue father of the bride: "why would i overreact? nobody in my family overreacts!"). but God is gracious, and each day brings new opportunities to take joy in my sweet birthday girl. His mercies truly are new every morning!

and this morning, this birthday girl will be the first to wake up to her birthday muffin in our new house! i can't wait to celebrate her.

happy birthday, sweet caroline. i love you.