SIX!

Today we celebrate Sydney's SIX years of life!

I absolutely cannot believe she is SIX. How did that happen? I told her three years ago to stop growing up so fast. I think I need to get her hearing checked.

So as I was trying to get a good picture of Sydney for her birthday post,

she started posing for me.

She went for serious

to truly posed

to complete silliness

she kept going

and going

and finally I stopped taking pictures.

As I scrolled through looking for the best one to post,

I realized that in a tribute to this great girl,

I had to post them all - to truly capture her personality and spirit.

This girl has stretched me...

physically - my belly was so big by the end of my pregnancy!! (no - I'm not going to post a photo)

spiritually - I became a mother when I conceived this child. I realized very quickly that this is not a role I can handle on my own and I find myself regularly on my knees talking to God about parenting.

educationally - Not only am I learning so much through homeschooling this child, but I had no idea having her in our lives would make us experts in dinosaurs, lizards, frogs, Narnia and much more.

vocationally - I've taught many, many violin students over the years, but it wasn't until I began teaching my own child that I really grew as a teacher.

I'm sure there are many other ways I've grown. I'm pretty sure I am a better person because of this girl.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SYDNEY GRACE!!

YOU ARE LOVED!!!!

(I think this is an acceptable use of many exclamation points)