Happy 4th birthday, Tilly!

Happy birthday, to the cutest, sweetest, spunkiest little four year old I know, our Tilly girl!  

Tilly, you were born on August 19, 2008, at Northside Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, just like your brother and sisters.  Birth and labor were so easy with you, as I didn't even have to push one time, ha!  You weighed 8 pounds and were 20 inches long. 

When you were born, Carter had just turned two in May, and Summer had just turned one in July!  Our house was a little crazy, but we could not have imagined it without you in it.  I love love this picture of Carter and Summer meeting you for the very first time.  

This picture was taken on the day we got to bring you home.  You captured our hearts the moment you were born, and you continue to capture the hearts of most people you meet with your cute little personality and facial expressions.  Let's see what you've been up to over the last year.  

I love this picture so much for so many reasons.  It was exactly this weekend one year ago that our family of six visited Hattiesburg for the very first time.  The McDonald family found out it was your birthday and helped us to celebrate while we were in town.  

Another one of my favorite pictures ever.  You and Summer on your very first day of ballet class at First Baptist Church Powder Springs.  

Our move from Georgia to Mississippi did not seem to phase you much at all.  You moved from Miss Becky's class to Miss Audie's class without batting an eye!  Here you are at the Thanksgiving feast at PCS, your new school in Mississippi.  

This picture captures so much of who you are, just pure joy and delight!  This picture was taken in New Orleans on one of our many trips there since we've moved to MS.  We love being so close to this city we love so much!  

You are always up for a challenge, and no task seems to daunting to you.  Here you are helping Daddy with our family garden.  

I adore this picture of you with baby McKinley.  I love the sweet way you are looking at her.  

This is your BFF, Ella.  You two love each other so much.  I'm so thankful and happy that y'all will be in the same class again this year.  As I type this, Ella's baby brother, Alexander, is fighting for his life at a hospital in Jackson.  He was born last April with a heart condition and has had some big complications since his most recent procedure this week.  We are praying and asking God to heal his little heart and protect him from sickness.  We are praying peace and comfort for his family.  

Tilly, whatever you do you do it will all of you, whether it's praising the Lord or throwing a fit, ha!

I love that about you.  Our challenge in parenting you is to teach you obedience without diminishing your spirit because we love that about you.  

True Tilly fashion.  You are in the car with Story and me waiting to get Carter and Summer in the carpool line.  

It's no wonder we named you Tilly, our little New Orleans girl.  

You walk to your own beat, and we love that about you.  

In the last few months, you got glasses and a patch.  You've handled them both with the grace of someone far beyond your years.  Your daddy and I have been so very impressed with you during this season.  

Your favorite things to play are baby dolls, dress up, hopscotch, bubbles, school, and anything using your imagination.  Your favorite song right now is "Indescribable" by Chris Tomlin.  I love to hear you sing it.  

Summer has become one of your most favorite playmates.  It is so sweet the way the two of you play together.  

You have your well check up with Dr. B in a week, so I don't know your stats yet.  You wear size 4-5 clothes.  You are tall, so dresses fit better in 5T.  Your shoe size is 10.  Your favorite foods are meat (any kind), french fries, fruit roll ups, bananas, carrots, green beans, blueberries, grapes, eggs, waffles, and yogurt.  You do not like bread, hardly at all.  It's so interesting to me.  

Daddy says all the time, "You're my favorite Tilly!"  And you are.  We love you so very much.  Your personality is infectious, and we love that about you.  People are so easily drawn to you, and we hope that will be a positive thing your whole life.  Happy birthday, sweet Tilly!  We hope your day is so very special and full of all things that bring you much joy!