You are my Sunshine....

It’s a birthday that she’s been eagerly anticipating.  It’s a birthday that we’ve been prepping for for weeks…or so it seems.  She is the fantastic FOUR! Four is a big deal in the Perdue home because you finally get GUM! She has anticipated this birthday for a whole year.

She isn’t a baby anymore.  She is a walking, talking young lady who has opinions of her own although she's had opinions since the day she was born. I am not sure turning four changed that very much.

Dear Anna Kate,

You my first born daughter are funny, independent, dramatic, witty, and loving. There is never a dull moment in our lives with you around. Everybody that gets a chance to know you, adores you.

Here are a few facts about four that I don’t want to forget:

• Your favorite color is purple and pink sometimes.
• Your favorite show is Dora.
• You love for Mommy to polish your finger nails.
• You want to wear a dress every.single.day. not shorts but a skirt or a dress. ALWAYS!
• You have decided that you don’t want to play sport that has a ball. You don’t like to sweat.
• Your baby dolls are always dressed up and lately it had been as princesses.
• You have two imaginary friends: Salsa and Jochbelle. They get into all sorts of mischief. I love to hear your stories about them.
• You love music, tape, glue, scissors, STICKERS and making a myriad of messy projects.
• You love to spend quality time together especially when I am cooking. You always want to help me cook the meals.
• You are still obsessed with Band-aids.

You have words and thoughts about the world that amuse and astonish me every day. Your imagination is endless and I am so jealous of your creativity. You are smart, you are sweet. My heart warms a bit when people comment on how you’re  a little mini me (of course you’re a much cuter version).  I’m just so proud that you’re mine.  I have a tendency to dress us in similar color clothes, but I promise that I will not try and force you to be like me. 

Oh sweet girl, I’m so proud of all that you already are.  And, I promise you that I will do all that I can to teach you and guide you and love you well. What a responsibility it is, to guide you through life and to pray that we do things well.  I pray that your little heart finds God at a young age.  There will be difficulties in this world, but I pray that your daddy and I can help you to become a girl and then a woman who faces trials with the understanding that you are not alone and that this life is only the beginning…