Della is 4!

Happy 4th birthday to my darling Della. 

I always feel like my children's birthdays are a sweet celebration for me, too. 4 years ago I had the privilege of becoming a mom- one that I'm beyond grateful for everyday, even when (and especially when) it can be hard. I didn't know that day four years ago what it would feel like. While it's indescribable, one way of describing it is that my heart left my body and started walking around on the outside of me. When I had Milly, it was like my heart split in two and could suddenly run in different directions! It's a scary place to be when there's so much you can't control- I pray daily that I'd be the mom I need to be. There is also SO much joy and laughter. 

Here are some things about Della that are making me smile tonight:

When I say "I love you all the time" and she responds, "every day." 

The way she loves Toy Story and playing pretend. Give her a few toys and she can play for hours by herself creating stories.

The way she moves her little hands when she talks and her sweet little voice.

The intense eye contact she makes to be funny.

The way she gets phrases slightly wrong, like this morning when she said, "Excuse meat."

She's a momma's girl and I never have a shortage of snuggles and hugs.

The way she loves her daddy and saves the best laughs for him.

The way I know she really cares for Milly because she has to know where she is at all times. 

She LOVES people and each morning wants to know who else we are going to see that day. 

The way she dances (with a huge smile and a sporadic leg kick to one side). 

The hilarious things she says in the bathroom. (I'll just leave that there).

The way she is starting to ask questions about God and life---telling her daddy recently that she thinks Jesus drives an orange car 😂

The way that she insists on entire family hugs and loves to have the four of us yell, "Go, Smiths!"

I'm grateful Della is mine. Birthdays are a great reminder of the days I was given my most precious gifts, and what unique gifts they are!