To Lily on her 2nd Birthday

My sweet Lily,
Two years.  Two years since my world changed.  Two years since I fixed my gaze upon your angelic face and sighed peacefully.  There have never been a more joyful set of two years that have spun around the sun.  That day you came into our lives will forever be etched in my memory as the day I learned that love can make a heart soar higher than the human brain can comprehend.
      And now, today, you are a two year old little girl.  No longer a baby.  It is impossible for me to think of the hours, days, weeks and months wrapped up in these past two years and not feel warm, precious tears roll down my cheeks.  As I've witnessed you discover new and exciting things, I too have discovered along the way.  I've discovered it doesn't take long for you to make me laugh when moments before you were the cause of my frustration.  I've discovered you showcase some of your Daddy's most endearing qualities and I fall in love with him again.  I've discovered that the dishes and the laundry and the emails and the organizing can all wait but fleeting moments with you cannot.  I've discovered that quality time simply isn't scheduled and that it only occurs as a result of putting in the quantity.  I've discovered you have a beautiful spirit.  A compassionate soul.  A nurturing way about you.  I've discovered that raising you, my dear child, is a privilege given to me by God.  Frequently it moves me to worship our Father in Heaven and praise His name.
      Much as happened since my last birthday letter to you.  I have enjoyed hearing you expand your vocabulary, all the way to sentences now!  And the ABC's and 123's that you enthusiastically recite - those will certainly be useful to you in life.  But what will be most useful is the Word of God that is filling our hearts and our home with the love of the Spirit as you, with all sincerity, join with us to say it and sing it and learn it.  It's been fun to see everything that goes into a day's time with you, from the moment you wake up in the morning til you close your eyes at night.  All of the praying and waiting for my dream job was worth it.  Staying at home to raise you, train you and love you has far exceeded my expectations.  It is incredible.  I look forward each day to embrace what God might bring.  I delight in watching your eyes light up, even if it means we have to get a little messy.  I anticipate your squeals, giggles and feet scampering toward the back door when Daddy shows up to join us for lunch.  I'm giddy over how cute you look in sporting sweet little pigtails now that your hair is long enough.  I cherish our bedtime routine of snuggles, songs and prayers.  I drink in your myriad of facial expressions that animate even the most mundane of days.
      So I think when I look back on these two years, the overwhelming feeling will always be gratitude.  I love that your life has helped me learn it in a fresh and full way.  My eyes have been opened and I'm thrilled that I have the terrifying yet beautiful challenge before me to mother you in a way that will ever be opening your eyes to God too.
      All we ever really have is the moment right in front of us.  And I say this moment of celebrating your second year of life is too sweet for words.  We are blessed beyond measure.

All my love to you on your birthday,
Mommy