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Today is Alli's second birthday. I am so glad to have her as my daughter. She is so sweet and loving, but still so crazy and funny. She is always using new words and phrases. This morning first thing out of her mouth (after informing me that she was "awake" ) when she woke up was "Cake" "I Wanna See It" so I told her she could see it and we went out. She made the cutest, biggest gasp when she saw it, and then said it looked like a "temple." I love that she is making more and more full sentences and that she can express herself more and more. She loves to jump and dance around and play whatever musical instrument she can get her hands on. She loves to read books and she's starting to love princesses, but she still definitely loves animals! This morning she held her doll and patted her on the back telling her "It's Okay It's Okay It's Okay." I am not sure what the doll was sad about, but Alli fixed whatever it was. She just melts my heart every day. I am so thankful to be a mom because she makes me a better person and she makes me want to be a better person. She has made me love people more because not only do I appreciate the things they do more, but I see them in different roles-a mom, a dad, etc. but most importantly I see them as a Child of God who loves them and wants others to love them. And because He loves them, I can love them. I see the good qualities in Alli and it makes me see focus on the good in those I come in contact with more. I know how much a smile and a kind word can make my day whether it is from her or from someone else so I strive to do that more with anyone I come in contact with. I see how Alli genuinely loves and is genuinely happy and it makes me better. I love seeing her get so excited over things, it makes any effort soo worthwhile. I can see why Heavenly Father puts us in families because we learn and grow so much growing up in a family and then when we have our own family you learn so much more. You learn patience, love, hard work, forgiveness, and selflessness, and through these things we become truly happier as we go along. So to my little angel, who is so pure and sweet and loving, Happy Birthday! I don't know what I would ever do without you, I truly would be lost without you in my life. You bring more joy and happiness than I thought one little person could bring. You also bring many opportunities to learn patience and service and figuring out what is truly the most important in life. Thank you for your patience with me as you teach me how to be a mom, even when I get frustrated with you, you are so quick to smile and hug me and kiss me. I can't believe it was two years ago that you were born and that I held you for the first time- all red and wrinkly, truly I thought you weren't the most beautiful baby ever born, but that soon changed and I've thought that ever since. I feel like I have such a special connection with your little spirit. Daddy was so excited for you to get bigger so you could play with him, and I was too, but I loved holding you while you slept and just looking at your perfect little self. I think I have always felt like I could never get enough time with you and when I am away from you, I missed you even when you were tiny! It has been so fun watching you figure things out and be so pleased with yourself for each new accomplishment. I am so excited to see what the rest of your life will bring, and I hope you always be so obedient, so determined, so funny, so smart, so friendly, so kind, and so loving. Love, Your Mama