Ava Turns 6.

Here is last year's bday post:

My little girl turns 5 on Sunday. That is really weird to me. It seems like she was born 5 minutes ago, not 5 years ago. Even more weird is 13 years ago, Lisa and I were married...13 years from now, our kids will be out of the house. Where does time go? Why does it speed up more with every day you live?

I am grateful that God gave Ava to us. She is a beautiful little girl, inside and out. I could not love her more. She constantly keeps us laughing...and laughing is her favorite thing to do. God blessed the world with a strong little girl when he made Ava. I pray everyday she uses that strength to honor Him and her husband one day. I know she will.

I am still learning how to have a girl-child. They don't make sense to me, which I guess makes sense because they don't make sense to me when they grow up either (except for you, Lisa...you make perfect sense to me all the time**).

It's much harder for me to have a girl than a boy since my protection for her knows no limit...and my understanding of her knows all limit. I grew up in a house of boys...nothing that wasn't logical was allowed in our house and no problem couldn't be solved with a good, old fashioned, fist-fight. Currently, I cannot make that rule apply. I am a work in progress. I am hoping by the time I get to heaven, God will have allowed me to understand girls...even if but for a brief moment...

I'm mostly joking, but it definitely is different than raising a boy!

I am so glad she is growing up happy, healthy and knowing she is loved. What an awesome 5 years we have had and we look forward to so many more. Happy birthday, Ava! We love you like crazy!


**There always is an asterisk in writing that requires further investigation and may only be half true to make the author look better and the reader less offended.

Well, here we are a year later. Things changed this year...except for the part of me that doesn't understand girls. I still don't. Ava's 6th year of life blessed more than most could ever hope to. It's part of what I hang on to these days. I know she is in perfection and wouldn't want to be back here for anything, but days like today are tough stuff. We miss her so very much and struggle with the part of us that wants her right here. We still don't understand why God does stuff the way that he does, but are so thankful that we had the time on earth that we did with an amazing little girl. Her birthday will always be special to us. It's a day to remember and celebrate a life that marked thousands. Who knew that God had such a special plan for her? Ava, I am so incredibly blessed to be your dad. I can't wait to see you again. Save me a seat...I'll be there before you know it. Until then, I'll hang here and take care of your mom and brother. Don't fret (I know you aren't)...we are good.

Ava, Happy 6th Birthday. Your mom, brother and I love you so very much.