Happy Birthday Beautiful...

My dearest Emmie....

9 years ago today, you made me a mother. I was secretly so excited you were a girl. I wanted your dad to think I didn't care because he wanted a boy. You made so many of my dreams come true. You looked exactly how we had imagined. Dark hair, blue eyes and beautiful.

Over this last week, your dad and I have been watching family videos. We came across the one when we got our first video camera so we could video you as you entered this world. I was 8 months pregnant with you and we were bickering (imagine that) whether or not you would be a soccer star or a dancer. I dreamed of you dancing and cheering just like me and he envisioned you playing sports like him. He was acting like a commentator as he was saying your name scoring a goal. We both cried as we watched the video. We had no idea what type of life was ahead of us. We were young, naive, yet so happy. We thought our world was crushed the day you were born. What was suppose to be the happiest day turned out to be devastating for such a young couple. As time passed, this new life turned out to be one I can't explain. My thoughts quickly shifted from anger to feeling like the luckiest parents alive. We had a celestial little girl who never spoke a word yet touched us and others in so many ways. Not very many parents get the opportunity to raise a choice spirit. No star athlete or dancer could ever compare to what we had. You have made me the proudest mommy in the world. You accomplished so many things and touched so many lives in the past 9 years. Your smile would light up a room. My heart is still broken and I don't expect it to ever completely heal. I still cry myself to sleep and wake up sad. But, what I do know is that you are with our Heavenly Father and his son. You are with all our loved ones. That to me is so comforting. I am so grateful for the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation. I know without a doubt that we will be reunited with you again. I know you are safe and you are being taken care of. As much as I mourn for you and miss you, I know you have work to do and that you are a busy little girl. I know the Lord has a plan and that we both accepted it. What a blessing you have been to me and your dad. You are such a strong little girl to come here to this earth and teach us for 8 1/2 years. What a sacrifice you have made. I know you have been watching over us and have been our administering angel. I have felt you many times since you have been gone. I still have to be a mom and put on a happy face for your sisters and brother. I am grateful that your brother was sent to me at this time. He has helped me so much and is such a sweetheart. Your sisters talk about you all the time and love you more than you can imagine. They watch all your videos and read your Strawberry Shortcake books on a daily basis. I bet you wish Ava did that while you were here. She is finally getting to be a good reader! Grandma Bella still cries when she comes over. You were such a big part of her life. She misses you so much but feels you are so happy.

You would normally be waking up this morning in our bed that would be decorated with streamers and balloons. Dad and I would be singing Happy Birthday to you as we showered you to get ready for school. I wish I was decorating tonight as you sleep. We have celebrated so many Strawberry Shortcake birthday parties with you. I know your not physically here but we will be celebrating another one tonight with all our extended family and doing a balloon release. I hope you know how much we love and miss you. I often think of the day we are reunited with you. It will be glorious.

Happy Birthday in Heaven my sweet angel, I love you more than you can imagine.....

With love,

Mom xoxo

Dad and Emmie

Emmie 7th Birthday

Emmie 2nd Birthday