Mariam's 3rd Birthday

An unexpected wardrobe change occurred after cake and ice cream...ballet tights and a leotard with a swimsuit on top....plus a coat for the piñata.

Our family present was Mariam's first dollhouse, quite the deal at Target!

Leftovers, anyone?

Mariam's birthday dress arrived just a day late, but we had the decorations up for at least another week, so no biggie!  We celebrate ice cream..and Mariam all year!

Sweet Mariam,

Happy 3rd Birthday!  You are officially a big girl, although I just have to say that you will always be my baby!  It may be cliche, but it is just too true not to mention.  On top of that, my dear, you are the official baby of the family, and you have taken on that role with fierce dedication.  You are adored, not to be forgotten, spunky, and deeply compassionate.

Some of our favorite memories of this year include your faith in the healing power of a kiss, your scar below your nostril from falling down the trampoline latter, your general lack of understanding personal space, and the fact that you have no hesitation in keeping up with the big boys. This year, you were even chosen to open Disney Hong Kong with Mickey and Minnie using the magical key! You play in the rain and even roll in puddles.  Although you are an adventurous eater, you love and will only eat "white" plain yogurt, and avocados are still a fav.  Now that your hair has finally grown out a little, we have discovered your tender head. You call school "schooltoday" as in, "Are you going to school today?  How was school today?", etc.  Everyone is a "she" and any time is described as "yesterday".  After moving to Washington and attending your first Change of Command ceremony, you vocally protested the national anthem and said you wanted to hear "Havana Ooo Na Na".  You have the heart of a girly-girl and the spirit of a wild tomboy, and we absolutely adore you!

This year has been quite an adventure as we wrapped up your first time living abroad in Seoul, Korea.  Upon leaving, your Korean teachers were heart broken and showered you with gifts of plush Pikachus, socks, and letters.  As you attended a fully immersed program in Hangul, your friendly spirit and bright personality crossed cultural and language barriers.  I pray your mind and heart were opened to thinking bigger, globally, and outside yourself.

One of our favorite things about living aboard is the access to travel that would otherwise be very difficult logistically and financially.  Just in this year alone, you have traveled Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Cambodia.  The beauty and wonder your little eyes have seen!  Although you may not remember much of this year, I believe that our every day experiences and our unique travel opportunities have shaped who you are today.  What a gift!

Now that we are back in the PNW, where you were born, we are thankful for reconnecting with old friends from our first assignment in Charleston.  Two families from our time in the 16th, the Stevens and Tellez families, joined us to celebrate your birthday in true "picked up where we left off- opened arms" fashion.  Thank God for friendships like theses, especially when other friends and family are so far away.  Speaking of distance, your dad has been training outside of the country for 3 months and passed through WA on his way to 2 more months of training in OK.  We celebrated a couple of weeks after your birthday so that he could be here with you.  Although you don't yet understand the sacrifices you have made, I do, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I pray you grow to be a strong woman of God; strong in your mind, body, heart, and spirit.

I love you,

Mommy