So my precious Abi turned Three. She was my Vacation Bible School baby. And every year we have the challenge of celebrating Abi – outside of the excitement of VBS.

This year we celebrated before the long week of joy and exhaustion began.

Abi,

You’re three now. And even as you continue to get older, I know you know that you are my baby. Yes, of course there’s Hannah who is my actual baby right now. But you know far too well that you will always be my baby. You will always be the one I have to exercise self-control to keep from spoiling. I can’t help it! You look like Daddy. And those blond curls… oh and those blue eyes. Here, just take my checkbook and spend all the kids’ inheritance now. 😉

Abi, you know Mommy loves you so. Yes, I tell you ‘no’. Yes, I still expect you to work hard around here. And no I’m not going to baby you. But there is a special place in my heart for my blond-haired, blue-eyed beauty.

You are still a bit lost in your reckless two’s, even though you’re three now. You recklessly ran head-long into the road to save falling sticks. You recklessly dance and sing through the house, running into an intruding  counter-top or piano seat. It’s hard to be small. Oh and then when those eyes turn a bit gray… oh child, we run for the hills then. But when they’re that crystal blue you’re back to your normal self. Funny how God gives us the warning in your eyes.

And while you have this passion that overtakes you (many times in the form of fits and screaming-matches at the above-mentioned intruding objects), your laugh is utterly to die for. And those puppy-dog eyes. Did I already mention those? My goodness, girl.

Your personality is on the bloom. Your enunciation is still a bit shady. Sure glad the commentator steps in sometimes. But you sure take my breath away sometimes when you bust out some crazy homeschool byproduct intelligence – like that time you painted an “A” and told me it was the first letter of your name. “Why yes, Abi, you are completely right!” And then I picked my jaw up off the floor. Or that time you matter-of-a-factly rattled off colors while passing by pictures on the wall. Yep, I picked up my jaw then too. I’m sure once your enunciation works itself out a bit more out will poor a whole world we never realized was right in front of us all the time.

Abi, you are my wild child. You dive headlong into dirt and jump in puddles in your church shoes before I can get out a reminder to keep your shoes clean. You paint your chair and the back of your hands because you are too curious for your own good. And everything still goes in your mouth because life should be experienced to the full. Oh my little Abi, you are my unpredictable bundle of delight. And while you learn hard lessons many times, I sure do admire how you throw yourself into life without reservation.

And even while you’re in mid-sentence explaining how big you are, I love it how you still want to snuggle in for a good book and share your blanket with Daddy while watching a movie.

You bless us so much, precious girl. We couldn’t adore you more.

So hats off, sweet Abi. Hats off to another wonderful year ahead of us…

A year of Ms. Three!

Overwhelmed by love for you,

Mommy