introducing: laurelai. (on her fifth birthday!)

Happy birthday, little Lolo!

You are so very sweet.  You love all things girlie and tiny and cute.  You love wearing dresses, and singing, and drawing with all the brightest colors in the box.  You love My Little Pony and any movie where the good guy wins.  You take dainty little bites, and hardly ever swallow any food, and it is no surprise that you are still so nugget-sized.  (Though, you are also pure lean muscle - "Meatsticks" is still an apt and affectionate nickname.)

You are stunningly beautiful, and often solicit smiles from strangers in public - although no one stays a stranger for long, since you're so quick and eager to make friends!  You have the tiniest, twinkliest little voice, and everything you say is inherently adorable just because you're the one to say it.

You are little, but you are just full of personality.  You are passionate.  You are a feeler, and so imaginative.  You are quick to apologize, and always desire to be on right terms with people.  You hate being embarrassed or feeling conspicuous.  You are quick to offer a goofy giggle or tell a funny joke you made up.  You are a cheerful helper, and love taking care of Stumpi.

You have been our surprise party, our best bombshell.  You came at exactly the right time, when we needed you most.  You have been an absolute joy to know, and I am so looking forward to many more days of watching you grow as a joy-filled, life-loving, deeply passionate person.

My prayer for you is that you would always know whose you are.  That you would never question if you're loved or valuable, and that you would cling tightly to Truth.  That you would do hard things with great courage, and that you would be a woman of conviction and integrity and creativity.  That you would be known for your passionate pursuit of God and his goodness, and that you would find extravagant joy and deep contentment in him.  You are delicate and strong, and I pray you will never grow out of that.

Happy fifth birthday, Lo.  You are our best and favorite you.