Dear Arabella,

You, precious little sweet, are FOUR years old!

This year has been so much fun because you have been learning so much.  You have full conversations, your imagination is unbelievable, you reason through problems, you make and understand jokes, you ask questions, and have to know how everything works.  It's truly been amazing to watch you develop!

However, this year also brought on the phase we deemed the "threenager"... Because you also learned to argue, to assert independence and your own opinion, to be stubborn, to have major melt downs and mood swings.  In other words, you acted like a teenager in a three year old body!  And oh, the level of interest that brought to this family dynamic.

Arabella, in the middle of all of that, you are still just as cute as they come.  Not a single day goes by without your daddy and I telling you at least one how unbelievably beautiful you are.  We just sit and stare often.

You are also so, so sweet.  You want to share what you have with everyone you meet.  If someone is upset, you want to make them smile.  You give hugs and kisses just because you want to.  You just love people so well.

Music is still one of your absolute favorites.  You've learned the words and can carry the tunes to so many songs, and will do your best to sing along even if you don't know it.  I just love hearing you sing in that sweet, high-pitched voice.  

My favorite though is to hear you sing "Jesus songs" along with the radio.  Your precious voice sings "Hosanna" and "There is Power in the Name of Jesus" and "10,000 Reasons"...But your favorite (and you know all the words!) is "Fix My Eyes"!  We love to turn it up loud in the car and dance and sing it together!  Instant mood lifter.  Your prayers have also developed into well thought out dialogue based on what's actually going on in your own life--you always end with "make good choices" :)

You are such a good big sister to Kaplan!  Granted you drag him around and take his toys, but that's what older siblings are for.  You also make him laugh and feed him and take care of him.  You two love to snuggle and wrestle and play.  You both have absolute joy all over your faces when you see each other!  You're favorite nickname for him is Kap and your name was his first word :)

Daddy's little helper is an understatement.  He's had to work a lot this year, so your time with him has been extra special.  Going fishing and riding in the Bronco are your absolute favorite!  But you'll do just about anything as long as it's with him. 

We have gotten to travel quite a bit this year and make so many memories.  A few trips to Branson and Aunt Chelle's, two Major League baseball games, a huge pumpkin patch in Houston, several trips to Pineville with the Sassers, multiple zoos, and Lafayette for Disney on Ice just to name a few.  You're not scared to try new things, go new places, or spend time away from mom and dad.  Just so big.

You are a tad obsessed with costumes, my princess.  Usually when you come out of your room in the mornings, you're already dressed up!  Your favorites are Anna and Elsa, but you also love Sofia, Doc McStuffins, and Cinderella.

Arabella, you are quite possibly the most grateful child I have ever met.  When you receive any gift, big or small, you are genuinely grateful.  You say thank you over and over, give a super sweet hug, and sincerely appreciate the kindness.  It's overwhelming and humbling.  I pray you never lose that gift...true gratitude is the key to true joy.  

You're learning how to write all of your letters and spell words and names.  You're doing a great job and I still get so impressed each and every time you write something.  Watching your little brain grow is just incredible!

I am so excited to see how much more you grow and learn and change this next year.  Our relationship is so special to me, and I can only pray that I treat you with grace each day.  Your daddy and I are whole-heartedly obsessed with who you are and always will be.  Keep enjoying life and finding giggles every single day.  Arabella, you are my treasured gift, and I promise that I will always love you more than you will ever know.

Happy birthday, my love!

xoxo, mama