E's b-day

E recently had her ninth birthday. It honestly seems like yesterday we were making preparations for her to join our family. We were so excited and anxious to meet her and finally be parents. I have always said that she was worth the long wait.

There are so many things about this amazing girl that I love. The things about her at nine that I want to always remember are:

- that she is so obedient. E has this innate desire to do what is right at any cost. It truly is the trait in her I admire the very most.

- she is the hardest worker I know. It doesn't matter what it is E will give everything she has to something. She will not stop until she is her personal best at it.

- she is a perfectionist. At times this is the trait I worry most about it is also one of the things I admire most about her.

- she is an excellent and patient big sister. She loves her little sisters and is always creating ways to entertain everyone in our t.v. limited home.

- she is extremely grateful. Whether it is for a gift or lessons in something she is so grateful. She seems to appreciate everything she has. I find that so admirable for a girl her age in particular.

-she is very smart. She studies so much. But more importantly she truly loves to learn. She has such an inquisitive mind. She does so well in school because she works so hard to do well.

- she loves to read - really really loves to read.

- she is a great friend. She is shy so being social can be hard but she is a dear friend when she gets to know a person. This has been a great year for her. She has made such dear friends. It is such a sweet and protective group of girls. As parents we could not pick a better group of girls for whom to associate.

- she is as beautiful on the inside as she on the out.

- her smile is sweet and kind. As pretty as she is, when she smiles her full personality comes out.
- she has complete, unwavering faith. We were reading about the Savior in the Book of Mormon at Christmas time. I looked up and saw she was crying. I asked her what was wrong and she said that she wished she could have lived and known Him when He was on the earth.

- she is a fierce athlete. She loves the sports she plays and tries very hard. She has found success this year in sports through her efforts. It has been nice to watch that increase her confidence.

- she loves her parents. She really, really loves us. Sometimes I can't help but to wonder how someone as good as she could admire me so much. I truly feel like I learn more from her than she could ever from me.

- the happiest she is when she is with her very best friend in the whole world. I loved watching them together on vacation this summer.

- I want to remember what it is like waking up to her practicing the piano on Saturday mornings. I love the sound of her and R practicing the piano more than any other sound.

- she is the greatest champion of the underdog.

She is so kind and sweet. I love her more and more everyday and feel so grateful that she is our first born.