My Dear Isabella...where do I begin to describe how special you are???

Isabella...this week has been tough on Daddy and I...we've said it before, but this week for whatever reason, it has really hit home that you are now our little lady. There is no turning back, you are growing up...too fast. Daddy was watching you at one point this week, you weren't doing anything in particular, and his eyes just welled up with tears. It's apparent in everything - your vocabulary and the words you choose to use, the way you interact with your friends and the conversations you have, dance and gymnastics - your skills are ever growing and it's obvious that you are growing into those long lanky legs, your mannerisms - the way you toss your hair behind your shoulder...every little thing...oh Isabella, you're starting to spread your wings and all too soon, you will be ready to fly.

You fascinate me. I find you to be one of the most fascinating beings that has ever lived. I have these feelings or visions of your future path being something really out of the norm. I have this vision of you having some sort of unique gift/skill - like being the best clarinet player in the world or being really good at numbers like Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man and winning Daddy lots of money in Vegas. I don't know how to explain it, but I just have this feeling about something inside of you that has yet to reveal itself to us.

You and I really connect in three areas these days - performing, serving others, and faith. You are a performer, you always have been. You sing, act, and dance with such passion and enthusiasm that it scares me sometimes. I fear the day you are 8 and ask us to move you across the country to pursue your dream of being a child star...I don't know that I could do that one my star, I love you too much.
Wanting to serve others and give to others, whether it is food, money, toys, etc...is second nature to you. It's not something anymore that is prompted. You regularly bring up helping people who don't have food, getting toys for kids who don't have any, etc...This week, your Auntie Steffie sent you some Valentine money. The first thing you said was, "Hey maybe I could use this to get toys for kids who need them". Thank you Isabella. Mommy is pretty hard on herself and worries about all the things that she is doing wrong...a moment like that helps me to feel like I must be doing at least one thing right. You decided to use your money to get Dimitri a toy during his stay in the hospital for pneumonia. You picked out a Glow Worm that sings because you remembered Timmy having one at his house...you are precious.

Your faith inspires me. I am moved beyond words at how by the age of 4 1/2 you have a relationship with God that I did not have until I was an adult. Now, I know there are no guarantees...you will probably go through times in your life where you struggle with your faith and have questions, but I really hope that this foundation you seem to have already will be the rock on which you build your life. I wish Dad and I could take full responsibilty for nurturing your relationship with God. We can take some of the credit, I suppose:) We've always prayed with you and we did a good job of picking an incredible faith community to be a part of in Calvary Lutheran (what an amazing church we belong too...come to Calvary everyone:). But your time at Riverside and Mrs. Voeller's gentle guidance has definitely encouraged your relationship with God, and Mom and Dad's too. I think we all finally got that idea that faith and God isn't just for Sunday, it's for every day, every moment...and we are so much happier, joyful, and filled with peace because of that. You trust fully in God for everything and in all of life's circumstances- the cut on your foot..."God will heal it", Grandpa Rowe passing away..."Don't worry Dad, he's with God and we'll see him again". You understand's God's mercy and forgiveness and his gift to us through the resurrection of his son in a way that baffles me. Today when we were listening to KLOVE, the announcer took call from a lady who was crying and really in need of prayer and encouragement. I debated turning it down, but left the volume where it was. JD Chandler started to pray for this woman and as he finished you quietly said, "That was so nice of that man to pray to God for that lady". You get so much Isabella...I'm blown away by your comprehension of the big picture and the things that really matter.

Hands down, my favorite time with you is when we pray together. I remember when you were a baby, Daddy predicted that you would either be a pastor or a ballerina. There are times when I listen to you pray that I wonder if I am up for being the mother of a pastor:) You have a gift and I'm just interested to see where your life's journey leads you. Will this trust you have in God be tested? Will you turn from your faith at some point (as it seems we all have)? Will you be responsible for leading others to God's loving arms? I'm very intrigued...partly because I remember having strong 'religious' feelings at a young age. Ask Grandma Grace and Papa Strom - they'll tell you about the morning they woke up to find that I had used a whole loaf of bread and pitcher of kool-aid to serve communion to my stuffed animals and dolls:) Or just ask me someday about the time I was pretty sure I met God at our rummage sale when I was 9 (I still think it might have been him:).

Having these bonds with you right now is really special...it is precious to me. I clasp these memories tightly in my hand and put them in the part of my heart that is just for you my dear daughter. You are a treasure my child and I am so touched that out of all the people in this world, God gave me the gift of being your mother. I pray that I do right by you.

So just know my beautiful brown eyed girl, that when you are ready, Daddy and I will let you go and watch you take flight. And if that flight leads you to your princess castle right next door to our house with Mommy giving you and your husband rides to Target because you're so sure you'll never be able to drive yourself, that's fine by me:)

I love you Isabella Grace Elizabeth and I ALWAYS WILL...ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS...just as our heavenly Father always loves us and never gives up on us...you can always depend on the same from Daddy and I. You're sleeping next to me as I type this...you are breathtakingly beautiful. I wish I could appreciate my life and it's blessings all the time as much as I do now watching you snuggled up in blankie resting peacefully...Thank you God...you have been so good to me!