Letter to my daughter - Happy 4th Birthday!

My Dearest Madison,

Today you turned four years old. For months you have been talking about your birthday. You've been telling every person everywhere we go that you'll be four soon; at the grocery store, at church, at school and even at the hospital. You'll show three fingers and say, I'm this many but I'll be this many (showing four fingers).

You've done a lot of growing up this year. You began preschool this fall and are learning so fast. You are starting to recognize your letters and are a whiz at shape recognition (what 3 year old knows what a hexagon is - my girl). You'll point to a letter on a billboard or store signage and say, "Mom, that letter is in Paige's name." 

You are leaving your toddler years behind and headed straight into kid territory. It is terrifying yet exciting at the same time. At four years old, you are going to start remembering things - you will be able to recall details, like what you were wearing when when you rode your bike without training wheels for the first time and if I responded in a way that made you feel loved.

Sweet girl, I hope that I have been a good steward of your heart. I pray that God gives me strength and wisdom to raise you right. It's my prayer. I breathe it out with a sigh every time I see you sleeping soundly in your bed. The remnants of the tiny Gerber baby I held in my arms for the first time after I gave gave birth to you. That baby is still there in my arms. I see her in the dimple below your eye, the tips of your fingers, in the way your arms fold under your body when you sleep.

At four years old, you're in the cradle of childhood, I hope you enjoy it all. I hope I can help you gather up each carefree lesson of the day and that you'll enjoy the innocent happiness of your youth. I hope I will help fill your years with insightful and beautiful memories.

I pray I am a good steward of your love, of your childhood, of your innocence. I pray this for you, I pray this for myself, on your fourth birthday, Madison Paige.

With all the love a heart can hold,

Momma