faves about gracie

in honor of gracie's birthday, i want to write some of my favorite things about her:
1. can you tell from the pictures that gracie just loves life? she is a bundle of energy and life.
2. she is very thoughtful. on occasion, she has cleaned up her room without being told, told me that she wanted to do the dishes and then did them all for me, or just offered to help. these have been rare occasions, but they have happened nonetheless, and i have been very touched every time.
3. she is mindful of others and likes to help. at school, she tries to be a friend to everyone and likes to help her classmates if they need it (or not).
4. she is a wonderful big sister and will get down and play with lily despite the five year age gap. she is always thinking of lily or jake and evan and will share with them or excitedly share with them the details of what she's doing.
5. with a disabled child and two young ones, i rely on gracie to help me. she does most of this without complaint. i remember one time i took the kids to a doctor's appointment once without grace and boy did i miss her. it reminded me of how much she helps me.
6. for being my child, i am amazed that she can sing on key and draws decently for her age. any talent gene in these two areas that i might have hoped for went directly to my sister or brothers because i sure didn't get any! glad to see that grace has different talents and inclinations.
7. gracie has a keen mind and is a very motivated self-learner. she truly wants to learn - whether it's about the gospel or science - she's there trying to think of new things or figuring things out. it's great and i hope her thirst for knowledge is never quenched.
8. gracie is goofy - which is where she gets her nickname "gigi." it is actually "GG" which stands for gracie goofball. this she probably directly inherited from me. i love her goofiness especially when she is just busting up or giggling over something that's happened.
9. she sincerely wants to choose the right and be a good person.
10. she is passionate. she has always loved horses and music and loves to develop talents in these areas.

happy birthday grace! i'm so blessed to be your mom.