Happy 5th Birthday to my sweet angel!

Lily Lin, You are 5 years old today. My eyes well up with tears as I type these strange words. Wasn't it just yesterday that we brought you home from China? You, a tiny little thing, scared and timid!?! Look at you now: My shining star. A friend to everyone. A performer who loves being in the spotlight. I remember wondering what you might be like when you grew. Wondered what kind of conversations we might have. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined the person you have become. You are my kind-hearted, beautiful, smart, talented child. You are my hilarious, witty, companion. My days are bright and interesting because of you. Grocery shopping used to be my most dreaded chore. Now, with you in tow, I find it to be so much fun. I love how you'll remind me to get stamps, or thank the cashier for giving us the "buy one get one free deal" on potato chips. Your enthusiasm for life is contagious. You are happy to do just about anything, and are thankful for all things given to you. If we have a picnic you will certainly declare it the "best picnic ever" and you'll mean it. every time. You are my dancer. You loved it from the very first class you took when you were 3, and your passion for it just continues to grow. You are so excited to take ballet in the fall - as you are "through with tap". Ready to take flight as a ballerina. I watch you with such pride and admiration - I can't even imagine where your dancing feet will take you...but I feel so blessed to be along for the ride, and I'll always be your biggest fan. This past year has introduced some big changes for our family with the arrival of your baby brother. Watching you embrace the role of big sister has been a delight. You are SO SO SO good with Devin...there was never an uncomfortable transition for you. You loved him with your whole heart right from the start and continue to call him "the best baby in the whole world" and thank God for him on a regular basis. He feels the same way about you. Sometimes if mommy can't get him to stop crying, I'll ask you to help and it almost always works. He adores you - he is mesmerized by your every move. We all are.

Happy Birthday to the best daughter a mom could ever ask for. I love you the biggest, the best, and the most. Forever and always, Mommy