Today, Ava turns 8 years old.  Cue the deep breath and misty eyes.  How can it have been 8 years already?  Maybe it’s the way she persistently refuses to outgrow her precious little-girl ways of snuggling perfectly up next to me, and offers the sweetest “good morning” greetings, and lifts an innocent, heart-brimming-over gaze to mine whenever she’s being complimented, but she is often still only four years old in my mind’s eye.

Nonetheless, there is much evidence of this inconspicuous passage of time.  Still my classically beautiful girl, her features have lost some of their softness and gained more definition.  Still sweet and vulnerable, her personality has developed a core of strength and determination.  Still silly and spunky, she has grown in responsibility and wisdom.

Some of her favorite things these days are anything science-y, but also playing with dolls; helping in the kitchen and learning to make some things on her own; playing frisbee; fishing; snuggling under a blanket at any time of day, no matter the temperature; and most artistic endeavors.  She is not a great lover of reading at this point, but it does seem to be slowly growing on her.

Ava is incredibly smart, fairly organized, and very compassionate.  She struggles with motivation for chores, and prefers to take her time with everything, though.  She fills a niche in our family in her ability to evoke compassion and grace from others.  She has a unique capacity to (generally) bring out the best in her siblings.  I think often about praying for her as a baby, and getting the impression so strongly that she would be a peacemaker, and now, in many ways, she is beginning to step into that role.  Her calm, loving nature is a blessing to each of us individually, and to our home as a whole.

I’m so thankful for Ava.  I’m so thankful for these 8 years that she has graced our lives with her sweetness and beauty.  I’m so thankful to be able to celebrate her today.