Asia is EIGHT!! - such a beautiful beacon of joy!! This amazing little lady rises with the sun and is full of radiance. She is most giddy when she is handed a new book, or when she can play with her closest friends. She loves to work with knitting or crochet needles & yarn, and she loves to create plays and 'shows' with her sisters. She is spunky, peaceful, faithful, sacrificial, intentional, precise, sensitive: just incredible! She is a wonderful sister, friend, daughter & cousin ~ and yet it's hard to believe she is old enough to write in cursive loops, compute fractions, make her own breakfast or knit better than me! I try my best to remember her in the moment, and not let these years pass by without reflection. She has changed my world in so many ways, forever making me a better person, and sharpening me beyond imagination. 
On her birthday morning, she awoke to lots of EIGHTS hung on the window, a pile of gifts, and pancakes with peanut butter, syrup and glowing candles. She was bursting with excitement for this big day.
I still can't believe eight years have gone by! It doesn't seem that long ago that she was born on Thurber Lane, while poppa Joe played his guitar peacefully outside the room and both of my mom's & sister Kris prayed for her, and for ME! Justin was my rock. Asia was welcomed into our lives with such awe and amazement ~ a treasure to behold. It's funny how we can block out the pain and the struggle of giving birth - but only remember the beauty and the quiet and the stillness of that moment...when time seems to stand still, and you are enveloped with more love than you can imagine. Well, Asia Nicole taught us what it means to love outside of yourself. Of course, we are still learning this, but it all began eight years ago.
I pray that you will bring peace to this world, sweet Asia - You belong to Him alone! May your radiance shine brightly for others, and may your life be lived in response to His love for you. You are a treasure to me, and you bring such delight. You are so loved!!
You are a pure light in my life, Asia Nicole.
We love you!
We love you!
Thankful for:
eight amazing years of life : such a gift
she belongs to Jesus
her insights into problems in the world
bright sparkling eyes
her cartwheels in the house
her attention to beauty and detail
her concerned face while she is reading a new book
how she looks forward to things with so much intensity
when she sits to read in the early morning, so quiet and focused
she and I are so much alike, its scary
her sensitive spirit and love for others
her growing independence and trustworthiness
her imaginative play
her giddy laughter
when she holds Sydney's hand when we are walking around town
her fervent love for mango tea with honey
baking with her
her brilliance
