This holiday and birthday season has just been magical!  If I could freeze time and keep my little girl four years old forever … I would in a heart beat.  She is so special and I am so thankful every day that I have been entrusted to be her mommy. She just brings so much light and joy and laughter into the world and I can’t imagine what life would look like without her. Since moving to Denver, my life has been turned upside down.  Leaving a full time job to be a full time mommy (at least for this season) has been an adjustment, but has been so incredibly special for me.  I’ve had some tough days, mainly because of my own insecurities, but all I have to do is watch this little girl go from a super hero to a princess to a cowgirl all in an hour, or watch her role play with her barbies and baby dolls or help her make a “gift card” to send to friends and family and those stupid insecurities (about not being organized enough or not being a good cook or just a decent homemaker in general) melt away and I am reminded that this time is fleeting. I am grateful to have had this season … just the two of us during the day everyday. I always imagined we’d have another little one at this point and again, I am reminded each day that our life is perfect … for us! The time spent together is what stands out most in my mind. I’ve learned that time is important and that it doesn’t always have to be “quality” ( whatever that means).  I think that quantity matters too. At least for us.  And that is a lesson I wouldn’t have learned had I not been removed from a job I adore and thrust into the role I’m so grateful to have been given.

Mia Grace, this world is better place because you are in it. You have this way about you … this way that just draws people in. No matter where we go, people speak to you and single you out (often to your daddy and my embarrassment).  I just know God made you this way for a special reason and its my great pleasure to watch that unfold through the years.  The way you scrunch your nose when you laugh, your little sly giggle, the way you sometimes pretend to be shy, your super sweet spirit, love of life and people are some of my favorite things about you. I love that you, at four years old, are quick to sincerely apologize and equally as quick to forgive … a lesson many adults (parents included) still are learning.  You have the most tender heart, something about you I am most proud of and most want to protect. You know how to make people feel special and you thoughtfully give everyone the time and love they crave. You’ve never withheld your love from anyone, instead are generous in every aspect of the word. Just last night, as I was working on these special birthday images, this is what I heard between you and daddy in the other room.

That pretty much sums up how special you are.
I sure hope these images allow other people to see how special you are too!

and just for the record … yes, Miggy! Her daddy started calling Mia Grace “Miggy” this last year and its really stuck. I love it!  So you can call her Mia Grace or Miggy or any of the other nicknames she’s accumulated in her short four years … just don’t call her Mia.  LOL. It’s funny how we name our babies with certain intentions and sometimes those names stick, or they dont. When she was born I intended on her being Mia Grace, but those of you who know me know I’m not much for correcting people and frankly, I didn’t care all that much.  I figured, if it was meant to be and she was indeed a Mia Grace, then that name would stick. Well, this last year that has all changed.  I feel like between the ages of 3 and 4, Mia Grace has truly become MIA GRACE (or Miggy if you prefer).  Mia is the same to me as Megan or Hannah or Alison … it just doesn’t fit … and well, she doesn’t think so either.

MG weighs in on her name from Crystal DelaHoz on Vimeo.

*for the record, I just took the flip video and asked her these questions. no coaching here. I just wanted to hear what she thought about it since it is her name and all.  hehe*