LONG OVERDUE-

My baby girl turned 5 on May 27. That's right. FIVE. Even a month later, as I sit and write this, my eyes are overflowing with tears. How can it be in such a short amount of time? Where have those five years gone? I have never really struggled with birthdays before or my kids getting older. This one has hit me the hardest. Suddenly I want Tay to stay where she is forever. There are days I want to go back to when she was a tiny baby and cuddle her all over again. To be able to smell that sweet new baby smell. To experience her sitting up, crawling, walking, talking, all over again. I don't know if this has been the hardest because of how much she has grown up the past year. It seems she has transformed from a toddler into a beautiful little girl.

A few of my favorite things about Tay: She loves music, Rascal Flatts is her favorite. (Mommy's girl on that for sure!) She loves to get dirty and play in the mountains, ride horses and four-wheelers. BUT she has a girly side also. She loves to play dress up. She loves to paint fingernails and toenails. Tayia LOVES our dogs. LOVES them. On any given day, that's what she does most-- Plays with the dogs. Wrestles with them, walks them, brushes them, does "parades" with them, you name it. Tayia has recently started "making up" dances and then performing them for us. She can write the alphabet, knows most the letter sounds, can read a couple of easy words (the, is, etc.) She can write her name and the names of everyone in our families. She loves to eat fruits and vegtables, string cheese, yogurt, mashed potatoes and gravy, BLT sandwiches, and of course candy. She's not real big on any type of meat, except BBQ chicken legs. She LOVES her pink cowboy boots. She loves to play mommy with all her babies and stuffed animals. (yes all 48 of them) Her favorite movies are Cinderella, Snow Buddies, and Two Bits & Pepper. She loves to read books. She DOES NOT like to get her hair done. Tayia is always thinking about others. She loves to mother hen Trace. She loves to go next door and visit Effie. She is very shy.

Five amazing years have gone by. Oh for sure we have had ups and downs. But now, today, as I think back on those five years, I have been truly blessed. She is living proof that Heavenly Father loves me. I am so thankful that he has given me the opportunity to be her mother. To care for her, to watch her grow, to love her. Happy Birthday Miss Tayia Jay. You are loved!