9

My girl just celebrated her 9th birthday. Emma Grace, this is who you are at 9.

You adore your family and pets. You are a Momma's girl most of the time but love to snuggle with your daddy and get loud and crazy with him. You occasionally are sweet to your big sister but more often than not these days, it is your goal to annoy her.

 You love school and are a great student. You love math and science and learning hands on. You are very smart and ask a lot of questions. You have a natural curiosity about life. You love your teachers and your best friends in class, Griselda and Azumi. You are drawn to good, sweet girls and have no time for mean girls. You love riding horses, playing with your friends, exploring, nature, playing games, art projects, animals, swinging, humming, antiquing and reading. You spend an incredible amount of time reading and are working your way through all of the Nancy Drew books, both old and new. You are incredibly excited about moving and can't wait to spend your days in the Village.

You are beautiful inside and out, funny, smart, stubborn, steadfast, happy, compassionate, loving, loyal, creative, girly and nurturing. You have the cutest freckles and that adorable dimple in your right cheek. You love being the baby and want to go to college close to us so you can live at home. After graduation you want to buy a farm near us in the village and raise chickens, miniature donkeys and horses. You want to be a full time Mommy when you grow up and you want to have twin girls.

I wish I could stop time. I wish I could wrap you up in my arms and keep you sweet and little forever. I wish I could protect you from all the hard parts of growing up. Emmy, it has been my honor to be your mommy. I've loved every moment of staying home and taking care of you. It has been one of the great gifts of my life. Thank you for being my girl. I love you. I hope your 9th year is your best year yet and that all of your dreams come true.