Happy 12th Birthday Hannah!

12 Years ago today, I got one of the best gifts I have ever been given. I became the mom of a beautiful baby girl.

I was so excited to watch her grow and to teach her all sorts of things. I wanted to see who she would become, and how she would change. She has grown into one of the most beautiful people I have ever seen. Sometimes when I look at her, she just takes my breath away. Sure she is tall and gorgeous, but the part that many don't see is how beautiful she is on the inside as well. She is very caring. I love her hugs and kisses that she just randomly comes and surprises me with. She likes everyone to be happy and is very receptive to peoples feelings and the way they treat one another. She makes friends rather easily, maybe because she is so bubbly! She always keeps us laughing! It is so fun to do things with her, we always have many laughs and much silliness!

Hannah, I am so glad that I got the chance to be your mom. I love you. I love the beautiful, vivacious, exciting, young woman you are becoming. Please don't ever change a thing, you are perfect just the way you are! Thank you for showing me what true beauty is. I am so glad that Heavenly Father chose to send you to our family!

OK, enough sappiness...

A few interesting things about Hannah:

*She has been on a cruise to the Bahamas. She went with her dad when she was 3. They left me home, I was SUPER pregnant! This is her picture from their "Formal Night." She wanted a Cinderella Dress.

*I think the only foods that she doesn't care for are tater tots and peanut butter. She will try almost anything and likes most of it. A few of her favorites are--snails, lobster, crab, salmon, pasta, shrimp, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and avocados.

*Her spleen gets injured quite frequently now. She will just randomly fall off her chair and yell, "Oh, my spleen!" It still elicits the same laughter as the first time!

*She is almost as tall as I am. She only has about an inch and a half to go!

*She got to dance on a cruise ship last year. We are starting her young, she LOVES to go on cruises! She was really upset that they didn't serve caviar, she wanted to try it!