Happy Birthday Ella Rose!

Ella Rose minutes old

Daddy's smitten...you arrived only 30 minutes before


Oh my precious Ella Rose, one year ago today you came into our lives and we will never be the same. You captured our hearts from the minute we laid eyes on you, and your radiant smile has enriched our lives in more ways than you can imagine. I never dreamed having a child would change our lives in so many incredible ways but oh how it has! Your Daddy and I want so much for you, our precious daughter. We pray for you daily that you will grow up to be an incredible woman of God. I pray Ella Rose that you will come to know the Lord at an early age and that you will one day seek after God's heart and you will know Who you belong to...that you will have a STRONG FAITH and that you will always know God has a PLAN for you, Ella Rose. I pray that you will have a heart to reach out to others and to serve others with your life...that God would create in you a heart that is selfless. Ella Rose, may you go forward in this life and live unselfishly. I want you to remember, my darling daughter, that there are so many great people you will meet along life's journey...try to look for the best in people and not the worst. You will have so many friends and family who will embrace you and love you and take care of you...remember this one day and be grateful that you've had people other than just Mama and Daddy who have spoken truth over your life and loved you. This is a great blessing, my sweet child, and one day you too will go out and speak truth and LOVE over others lives. Ella Rose, oh how your Daddy and I long for you to one day have the same kind of precious love that we have in our own marriage. We will pray daily that God will bring you a wonderful man whose faith in God is strong and his love for you is unwavering...if you marry a man like your Daddy, you will be forever blessed. Ella Rose, I also pray that you will learn to have a GRATEFUL HEART...there are so many times you can choose to not be content in life and to not be thankful but when you have a grateful heart towards God and others, your life will be so rich and full. Always remember "stuff and things" do not matter...be content and remember to give 150% to the people in your life. As you grow up, be good to the elderly and look at them with respect, and remember they have so much they can teach you because they have lived a lot of life and been through a lot of trials so they have a lot of wisdom and also as you grow up be good to children and reach out to them as they need others outside their families loving them and encouraging them. Ella Rose, in 3 months you are going to have a Sister, and we are already praying that y'all will be so close, that you will grow to be such good friends, and that you will cheer each other on throughout life. In every thing you do, my sweet girl, be kind, be loving, be sincere, enjoy life with a purity of heart and never cease to follow God. He will lead you when the road seems uncertain, He will give you strength when you feel like giving up, and He will never leave you or forsake you. Your Daddy and I will do everything we can to encourage you...we will be your biggest fans my sweet girl. Ella Rose, live your life extravagantly with passion and purpose for things that are of eternal value. Always know that Mama and Daddy love you so very much, and we are so thankful that God has given us such a wonderful BLESSING in you.

Our little family

My 2 glorious blessings...your Daddy and you

3 days old

3 days old

You already have Daddy wrapped around your finger

You stole Mimi and Papa's hearts right from the start

Taking you home from the hospital