Seven

One of my favorite quotes, "Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get, only with what you are expected to give....which is everything." - Katherine Hepburn

I love being a momma to this little girl. She is a breath of fresh air. Her outlook on just about everything is so positive and happy. She loves to play and has the best time just being in her room making up scenarios with her baby dolls or stuffed animals. Total third child, because she doesn't call out to me every 15 minutes to entertain her or want help with something. I love that. She just plays. And when she lets me join in on the tea party or fashion shows or giving the babies a (pretend!) bath...I love it. Her imagination is wide open. Can not wait to see what she does with all those magical ideas swirling around in her head.

She is also the comedian of the family. Another third child characteristic, and it fits her so well. She is always giggling and has the most wonderful laugh. The kind that makes you laugh even though you have no idea what she is laughing about. Love that. I can't tell you how many nights a week Drew and I sit at the dinner table with the kids and have to tell Maddie to stop being silly. And 90% of the time we are looking away from her trying not to laugh ourselves. She has rounded out this little family unit wonderfully, and I am so thankful for the sound of her laughter that fills this house. I know someday that is one of the things I will miss the most as she leaves the house and begins other chapters of her life. So, today I am thankful for this little girl. Thankful we get to celebrate her and another year of life with her. She is 7. Wow. And today is a good time for us as parents to slow down and reflect about us. Are we on course? Do we need to readjust anything to make sure we are present in this little girl's life? For me it's a good reminder of why we have been blessed with this little life. Mistakes are always going to be made on our end in this whole process, but are we giving the best we have to give to this little girl? Are we helping give her the keys she will need to survive on her own someday? Such a gut check, and one that usually brings me to my knees in prayer.

So, thank you Madeline for being such an amazing little presence in our lives. I love you to the moon and back.....and back again. ;)