Sara Grace with the pretty face...

My baby girl.  How on Earth are you turning 3?  So vivid are the memories, so vivid is the first time I heard you cry, so vivid is the time when I first saw your face.  Only three short years have passed, yet I don't remember much about life before you. You just fit so well into this crazy, loud, loving family, it just seems that you've always been here.

There is something about you, Sara Grace, that no one can seem to get enough of.  Whether it's those huge brown eyes, or your beautiful smile you seem to captivate everyone you meet.  Your personality has developed so much this year.  You are HILARIOUS.  You love to be silly.  You love to laugh.  You love to dance...you even have a signature move, "The Sara".  You are so loving.  You are never shy to give a hug or a kiss, and you love to tell those around you that you love them.  This may be one of my favorite things about you.  There is no end to the love you give.

You are so independent at times, but need me so much at others.  You have been potty trained for 6 months, already.  You 'got it' really quickly., so, thanks for that.  You are sharing a room with your sister...the sister who you love to hate and hate to love.  You two have the oddest relationship, loving each other one second, fighting the next.  I guess that's what having a sister is all about.  You also love your brothers.  You and Jack have always been close, and now you're really starting to enjoy Al's company.  I'm so lucky that you guys love each other so much.  I hope and pray that you always remain close.

When I think of the time that you were born, Sara, I always remember what was going on with your Uncle Joe.  Uncle Joe was very sick and getting treatment and I will always credit you, my Sara, for keeping me strong.  There were plenty of times when I wanted to scream and cry and be upset, but then I thought of you, my Sara...my Grace...and you kept me cool.  You were the light in such a dark time and that is something I will never forget.  I think I thank you every birthday blog, and I won't stop here, so thank you.

You need to know that you are the sassiest little miss I've ever met.  Oh, the 'tude that you possess is out of this world.  I knew what I was doing when I started calling you Sassy, that's for sure.  Here's an example:

You: "I love my Mommy!"

Me: "Thanks, Sass!"

You: "NO, say I love my Sara!!"

You truly crack me up.

You are a Daddy's girl through and through.  You have your father wrapped SO tight around your finger, it's comical.  I blame the brown eyes.  Or the laugh.  Or the smile.  

You call everyone "little fellow" and instead of saying "goodbye", you say "bye goblin".  I'm told that is from a TV show.  Of all of the things for you to pick up...

Your current favorite things are:

Show-Paw Patrol

Movie-Frozen

Song-"Ain't it Fun" by Paramore and "The Cupid Shuffle".

Food-Salsa chicken and pizza

Color-pink

Saying-Bye Goblin! or You're the best!

You love to color and you love to play outside on the swingset.

Sara, you're such a spitfire.  There is never a dull moment with you around.  You keep me on my toes. 

I love you so much it hurts.  I hope that you always know how much you mean to me.  I know I tell you a lot, and I will always tell you.  You are so special to me, you have no idea how you've changed me.  The 4 of you have taught me so much about life...I could never thank any of you enough.  

Happy birthday, Sara Grace with the pretty face.  You are my love.  You are my gem.  You are my baby girl.  You will ALWAYS be my baby girl...even when you're 30.  "You're the best" Sara.  I'm so blessed to be able to call you mine. 

...And I thank you for choosing me
To come through unto life to be
A beautiful reflection of his grace
For I know that a gift so great
Is only one God could create
And I'm reminded every time I see your face...

then

now