Happy Birthday Shaylynn!

Shaylynn officially turns 4 in six hours. I realized last week that this would be her first birthday in Idaho since her BIRTHday. It's been so fun to celebrate with family. We had a party for her last Saturday with her cousins and friends. Tonight we're going low key with a possible trip to Article Circle to eat and play on the toys. Friday night we're celebrating with my family and having a pizza party. It's hard not having Doug here with us, but I'm trying to stay focused on the fact that this should be the last birthday he misses (well, at least for Shaylynn).

I feel like the luckiest woman to have such a beautiful, intelligent, comical, stubborn, aggravating, forgiving, and loving daughter. I didn't think life could get any better after Miriam joined our family. Shaylynn has just enriched our lives so much. Miriam is my perfect angel and Shaylynn is my little devil, but they both have the most amazing spirits. I can see why Heavenly Father saved them for these last days.

Shaylynn took treats to share with her "friends" at preschool. I surprised her with a balloon when I picked her up. We then went to Miriam's class where I was helping with centers. The other children in Miriam's class were so cute and made sure they told her Happy Birthday. We came home and made cupcakes for tonight and Friday. They are chocolate cupcakes which we'll add blue frosting and sprinkles to when they cool.

This morning I was able to go do some Initiatory work at the Rexburg LDS Temple while both girls were in school. It was the perfect place to be on Shay's birthday. My heart burned with the truth of eternal families and how much our Heavenly Father loves us. I was overcome with gratitude for the many blessings I have which at the top of my list are Doug, Miriam, and Shaylynn. How can one person be so loved and so blessed? I don't feel like I deserve it, but I'm trying to be the child He wants me to be.

There are so many things that make Shaylynn special, but I would be here all day listing them. I'm going to share just a few things I love most:

1. Shaylynn is very observant. She notices everything and everyone. She also loves everything and everyone.
2. Shay loves to kiss my nose. It used to make me nervous when she'd start coming towards me with her lips puckered because I thought she was going to go in for the lips. It took a few times to realize what she was doing. Now she just tells me she wants to kiss my nose. Silly girl, but I do love those kisses!
3. Shaylynn loves to play with Miriam. She will play whatever game Miriam wants, and she'll do every action, and say every word Miriam tells her to. Unfortuatnely I think she's getting a complex because she always has to be the boy. Just the other day she pointed to a picture of a girl and boy bunny. She pointed to the girl and said, "Meeum" and then pointed to the boy and said "Shay".
4. I love how Shaylynn has her daddy's personality and looks. I look at her and see Doug. I watched the silly things she does and it's like Doug is home with us.
5. I love how she is so resilient. Nothing gets her down for long. She scrapes her knee, no problem, all it takes is a kiss and she's off and running again. She tells me, "Mom, you make me sad". What do I do? Talk to her about why she is sad, give a hug and kiss, and she's off giggling and playing again.

Photos of Shay Through the Years

One of the cutest babies ever!
Blessing Day (Christmas Day 2005)
We moved to Philadelphia when Shaylynn was 9 months old.


Happy 1st Birthday sweet girl!


My baby turns 2!
Shaylynn has always had a love for Time-Out!


Last Birthday in Philadelphia---the BIG 3!


HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY SHAYLYNN!!
The TRUE Shaylynn

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIDDO!
I LOVE YOU!


(If you're wondering about all the blue coloring, it's because Shay's favorite color is blue.)