Children come to us in many ways, some of us wish and hope and pray for a child.

Some of us try and try; go through so much, and finally the child comes.

Some of us go through other channels; they adopt a beautiful child of their own.

Some of us arenít expecting it at all; it is a surprise, sometimes good, sometimes not so good.

My child was a miracle, a blessing, a slice of heaven dropped into my life.

I never really wanted kids; I was a great aunt, cool and hip and never said ënoí.

Then this beautiful girl child came into my life.† I was mesmerized, fascinated, in love up to my eyeballs.

Every sound from her mouth delighted me.† Every sticky hug, every wet kiss, every laugh made me love her more.

Today she is 11.† My sweet little girl is 11.† Her presence is what I was made for; I know without a doubt it is why I was put on this earth.

She delights me, she amazes me, she frustrates me, she makes me laugh until my stomach hurts, she drives me crazy at times with her favorite words which are ëWatch this, listen to this.î† She is brilliant, she is kind, she loves animals with an intensity I have never understood.

She loves to create, to make things.† She wants to save the world, to make it a better place.† She loves dance and music and acting.† She loves old 60ís TV shows, 80ís British bands, the Disney Channel.† She loves to swim and explore and learn about nature.† She loves science and math and reading not so much yet but I am still hoping.† She hears something one time and remembers it.† She is messy as can be, won’t clean her room unless I threaten beating with a stick, but will organize her books in alphabetical order.† She makes lists about everything, writes notes, has grand ideas.

She loves Jesus, but she asks questions, she doesnít accept blindly.† We have long conversations about who, why, when and where.† She wants to be a good God girl.† She has brought me back to church after many years.† Our church is very important to her.† She loves serving the community where we live.

She has wanted a dog since she could talk and simply adores Nomad.† She teaches him tricks, works with him, does dance routines with him, dresses him in costumes, loves him unconditionally.

At her first play practice she practically knows the entire play.† She bites her fingernails, she is so tender headed it has caused explosions in our house when I fix her hair.† Her favorite colors are brown and black. She voted for Obama [and yes I did let her vote when we were in the little booth..shhhhh], she doesnít use plastic bags, she worries about global warning.† She loves her computer and will never know a world that the internet doesnít exist.† She loves Broadway musicals and one day my baby I will take you to New York City and we will see “Wicked“.

She wants to be an actor, and if that ëdoesnít work outí, she wants to be a zoologist, a chef or a flower shop owner in that order. She loves Johnny Depp. This is a fierce love that she has had since she was 3.† I took her to see Pirates of The Caribbean with thoughts that we would probably have to leave since she was so little. She was mesmerized.† From that day on, she has said she was going to marry Johnny.† She has never wavered, not once, not when people tell her he is too old for her, not when I remind her he has a wife, not when I tell her his children are more her age.† I have never discouraged her from this.† Wishes and dreams are important.

She loves food, she can taste herbs and seasoning in a way most adults canít.† She loves to cook, loves to bake.† If I would let her cook dinner every night she would be deliriously happy.† She makes breakfast and describes the ingredients in her newest creation lovingly.† She loves yarn, loves to finger knit and has started her own company called Knit-Wits.† She sells her creations at our skate days.

Money means absolutely nothing to her.† If someone gave her $100 or $5 she would just as soon give it to me as keep it.† We donít have a lot of money, but we have something so much more important.† She can put on lipstick and eye shadow one minute and be playing with her Barbieís the next.† She is the best mix of little girl and pre-teen.

Homeschooling has given us wings.† Not only does Kei love learning but I am finding out I love learning. The world is our classroom.† We roam, we read, we listen, we look, we touch, we smell, we taste, we explore.† What could possibly be better than spending all day with your favorite person?

I know she will change, she will grow up, she will no longer think I am the smartest, the greatest and I wonít be her favorite person to hang out with.† So I am savoring these golden moments.† This slice of life I could never even imagine.† Life is so good, so sweet, so amazing.

We have wonderful friends and family, but at the end of the day it is just me and you kid.† And I wouldnít have it any other way.† My Mother always told me everyone needs a daughter.† I finally understand what she meant.

You are my heart and my soul.

Happy 11^th Birthday Baby girl,

Mommy loves you to Pluto and back times Infinity~

A daughter is one of the most beautiful gifts this world has to give. ~ Laurel Atherton

What I wanted most for my daughter was that she be able to soar confidently in her own sky, whatever that may be. ~Helen Claes