Dear Elsie Jane,

You amaze me. Two and a half years old today, and I sit here overwhelmed by the beauty that entered my life when I met you. I treasure you sweet girl–your Daddy and I both do. As we all pile into your big-girl bed at the end of each day, the very first moments we arrive there, I close my eyes and whisper my gratitude to our creator for you.

From the moment I first laid eyes on you, I was gifted a compelling within to pause. That pause has been one of the greatest gifts to me, do you know why? Because, as I still myself, if only for a handful of moments, I remember who holds you closer and deeper than I ever could– my heart turns back to adoration and I am better for it. If you ever have a wonder about your significance or purpose sweet one, take pause. Look up and behold your creator God, you are His beloved, you were created in His image and you bear the beauty of Royalty.

These are the days.

You are filled-to-the-brim on life. You love to explore and stretch yourself to learn things in a deeper way. You thrive in the known, but I’m amazed at your ability to trust and step into the unknown too. You prefer to have mommy closest, but you are most at peace when you have mommy and daddy both. Oh how we delight in you. Not a day goes by that we don’t offer up a knowing look of how proud we are of you. Our days are so very full, but in the best possible way.

You love Music! I hope you never lose your need for its rhythm in your life. When you hear music, you can’t help but dance. The joy within your tiny frame explodes from the inside out and it’s contagious! Whether you are worshiping with your hands lifted or leaving it all on the floor with Jack Johnson or the Little Sunshine kids, your joy is always present and I will savor that about you always.

You are strong. I can’t even remember a day that you weren’t amazing us with your strength. As I prayed for you when you were still growing in my womb, I asked the Lord to make you a powerhouse for His Kingdom– in your twoness I see that strength manifest itself in physical form–its a daily reminder for me to continue praying over your God-given strength, asking Him to press into you, the desire to use your gifts for good in this world. Your strength is a gift.

You are creative. Oh how I delight in watching you express your creative spirit. You love to draw and color and have mommy or daddy test our creative genes too:) You see shapes in the clouds, you fashion blankets into tutus, and thin air into cups of tea and ice-cream. Your imagination keeps me dreaming and imagining too–another gift of knowing you.

You appreciate order. Every other time I turn around you are lining things up or moving something into a more preferred position. You thrive in surroundings that feel intentional and purposed. You know the routine of our days and you let me know when you hope to see an addition into our plans. You aren’t afraid to voice your opinion– and although that can be a challenging thing for both of us some days, I’m praying that with maturity and guidance  you will continue to speak up and use your voice for good. You have the potential to implore great change in this world.

You love books. Oh do you love books! If you could go to the library or bookstore every day, you would. I adore this about you– your love for story delights your mama’s heart more than you will ever know. Whether you are pulling books off the shelf, sitting with a pile of them on the couch or flipping through them in your bed–I can see the intrigue and wonder as you cycle back through a single book twenty times over. You have memorized many of your favorite stories–and if I didn’t know better, I’d think you were the world’s earliest reader! Oh how I dream for you to never lose your delight and wonder for story.

You are becoming. As your mama, I’m reminded that you are becoming with every passing day. You are becoming more independent, knowledgeable, personable, passionate, tender, self-directed, and aware of change. Your year of two has already been beautiful in so many ways, but as I sit here and look down at my round belly, I am reminded that you are becoming something even more beautiful in the next half of your second year–A BIG sister.

Earlier today, before nap-time, you asked me to read the book, “ God Gave us Two”  You are curious about being a big sister, but I know you are unsure in the same– who wouldn’t be? Your world is going to change overnight and in some ways I am overwhelmed for you, but in a truer sense, I am overjoyed. We will all have to discover new rhythms as we welcome your baby brother or sister, but I want you to know, that you were made for this.

God brought you to our family at the exact right time, and even then He knew that you would carry the title of Big sister one day. “God gave us you, and now He has given us two.” You are going to be the best Big sister, I can see it in you already. It’s OK if this transition takes time, there is so much grace for you in this season dear one. You will always be my firstborn, and my favorite Elsie Jane! Never doubt my love for you, it is growing deeper all the time, even as it stretches to love baby too,

I could write so much more, but for now, I am going to end right here. I want to spend the rest of this day with you and your daddy, celebrating this one beautiful life we’ve been given. Welcome to 2.5 Elsie Jane! I am savoring you today and always.  

Love, Your Mama.