My Little Bug-A-Boo

Darling Noelle,

Earlier this month you turned three years old and what an incredible and wonderful three years it has been. I have particularly loved this last year as your personality has truly begun to shine and I love getting to know the unique, beautiful little person you are. Happy Birthday, sweet, sweet little one.

As I think on you, little Noelle, I cannot help but smile as I recall your sweet, joyful spirit. You are so often like a little ray of sunshine. In fact I have found myself often saying that you wake up with "rainbows and sunshine" because that is exactly the kind of atmosphere you create with your sweet smile and bubbly spirit. It is hard to be gloomy or upset when you are nearby. Lord, Thank you for Noelle's beautiful spirit. I pray that this infectious joy and pure delight will not be squelched by the passing of time or the ways of this world. I pray that Noelle's spirit might remain a source of brightness in the lives of those around her.

These last few months have proven just what a little comedian you are. Your Daddy and I have known for some time that you loved to make others laugh and would repeat something time and again if it brought a smile to another's face. Yet in the last few weeks, your sense of humor and love of laughter has only increased and found new avenues of expression. I love your voices; they never fail to make me laugh. Lord, as before, I would ask that you protect this part of Noelle. Too often this world can weigh us down- whether through hardship or repetition- but Noelle's love of laughter is a beautiful counter to all of that. I pray that she would learn when the time is appropriate and could use this as a gift to others.

Unfortunately we have also been made aware of what appears to be a great fear in your life- being left alone. You have always been a bit more concerned when we left you in a new place, but that fear appeared to quickly disappear. Yet lately, even in our home, you will become quite nervous and upset if you think we are leaving you or if you cannot find us (ie. waking in the middle of the night). At these times, you always voice your fear, "Don't leave me,"; "I thought you'd left me." Daddy and I may have to leave you for a time and sometimes- particularly at your age now- that time can seem like forever, but we would never willingly leave you indefinitely. Lord, it is hard to hear Noelle continually voice a fear that we will leave her, yet for her, it is a true concern. We thank you Lord for the assurance that no matter what may happen in this world, she (and us as well) will never be alone. We pray Lord that as she grows older, she will come to understand this and rely upon this when the days seem dark and her path appears lonely. Never will You forsake her; never will You leave her.

Thank you for our little Bug-A-Boo- for her beautiful, infectious spirit and the joy she has brought to our lives. Thank you for sharing her with us and granting us the responsibility and honor of guiding her through these years. May our example and our words continually point her to You and may the works of our hands help her become the young lady You have made her to be.

Noelle, I can think of no greater gift to give you, for your third birthday or any to come, than to pray for you. The Lord entrusted you to our care but in the end, you are still His child- first and foremost. I pray that you will never forget that and will always desire to better know your Creator and Heavenly Father. And we pray that you will always know that your Mommy loves you. Your Daddy loves you.But above all, God loves you!

All the love I have,

Mommy