A letter to my Lady Bug,

My little Lady Bug, it's been so long since I've written to you. We've experienced so many wonderful, amazing changes in our lives. You, my darling, continue to be the light of my life. I wake up every day and feel as though I've pulled the wool over the eyes of the cosmos. How did God see fit to give me the privilege of being your momma? Me! Of all people! I'm deeply flawed, scatter-brained, high-strung, needy and I constantly try to strike a delicate balance between saint and sinner. And yet, God allowed me to take on the awesome responsibility of being your momma.

Each morning I walk into your room, you flash that beautiful smile and my heart skips a beat, reminding me that you have that most important of organs wrapped firmly around your little finger. Don't get me wrong, it's not all rainbows and butterflies. Some mornings are really difficult. We struggle, each of us desperately attempting to influence the other with a show of power. You refuse to use the potty, you lay in the bathroom floor and whine for what seems like an eternity. You refuse the tennis shoes and insist up on the "nana" shoes. You demand chocolate milk after I finish pouring the white milk. Sometimes I win, sometimes you win. Sometimes I walk into my office and desperately wish for a nap because the skirmish with you took entirely too much energy.

It's all worth it Lady Bug. I wouldn't trade these struggles for anything. Every day you grow up a little more. You get closer to singing Jesus Love Me all by yourself. You realize you can count to 15 instead of 13. You can put your clothes on by yourself. You love taking showers and washing your own hair. You speak in full sentences that leave me awestruck at your depths of comprehension. You are obsessed with the sun and the moon and which one is awake or asleep at a given moment. You love ice cream. Occasionally too, you love to snuggle. You climb into my lap and lay your head in my arms and I rock you and tell you stories about China and Nana and Papaw's house and Ellie. We talk about finding a new house where you can have a room decorated just for you.

I wish I could sum everything up into a few sentences, but it's just not possible. You are the most amazing child I have ever known and my heart thrills at the idea of watching you grow through the years. The possibilities for you are limitless and I will encourage you to reach out and grab whichever star you want. I'll even let you stand on my shoulders if you have trouble reaching it.

My Lady Bug, you truly are my sunshine.

Momma