My Awesome Valentine's Day Card!...

First of all, I realize that it must have been well intended, and that the 12 year old boys from church who hand delivered this letter to me (along with a pink carnation) were really only doing it out of love and well... probably also as a service project. But still.

Valentine's Day is not a day I typically get depressed about.

And so to keep it that way, I probably could have done without this... (especially the part highlighted in yellow.)

Really?

*SIGH*

Don't get me wrong, the message itself was beautiful, after all it was written by President Hinckley, but it still makes me a little sad to think that I am now on "the list" of lonely spinsters. Because, in my mind I am still "somewhat" hip and cool... but then again maybe I'm alone in that thought.

And so in truth, this was probably not my best Valentine's Day card ever.

But, oh well.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Anyway.

Happy Birthday Miss Shaylee...

There is just something so very special about this little one..

... besides the fact that she's ONE!

What a precious little girl!

Grandma hopes you had a fun day!

And well, it looks like you did!

A Letter To Shaylee Grace on her First Birthday

My Dearest Shaylee,

First of all, I want you to know how much I love being your Grandma! Am I lucky or what?

It’s so hard for me to believe that you are almost a year old and growing up so fast! Sometimes I sort of wish you could just stop growing until I can finally move out closer to you and be able to see you all the time. I would love that! But still, I feel so very blessed to have been able to spend all the time that I’ve been able to spend with you since you were born! So many hours I’ve been able to just hold you and rock you in the early mornings so that your mommy and daddy could catch up on a little more sleep and it has been MORE than wonderful to be able to snuggle with you. And though I’m really sad that you probably won’t ever remember any of those mornings, I will remember them for sure!... and will treasure those moments forever.

You are such a sweet and precious spirit, which has been apparent since the moment you were born. You are such a happy little girl and you just melt my heart in so many ways when you smile. It’s like you’re smiling from the very center of your heart! You are blessed with being beautiful and I’m not just saying that because I’m your Grandma! You ARE so beautiful!

So I guess if there is anything I could say to you right now, on this day you are turning ONE, is just to continue to… be happy! That’s what I want the MOST for you. Never, ever lose that perfect little smile! I hope to still see that smile illuminating your face 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 years from now! (I know that may seem like a long time from now, but trust me, it goes by really fast. Believe it or not, I was once ONE too!) And if there’s anything I regret in my life, it’s that I didn’t smile more because there really is so much to smile about. So just do it.

You have such amazing parents… A mommy and daddy who love you so much! And a big sister that I know you will have such an incredible time with as you grow up! There is nothing better than having a sister! (If I were you I’d be saying “I cannot wait!!!” right about now.) And you have grandmas and a grandpa, and aunts and uncles and so many cousins who will be such a wonderful part of your life through the years!

And then there is your Heavenly Father, who I believe probably loves you more than anyone, if that’s EVEN possible. So listen to your mom and dad and all those others who love you and they will help you learn how to follow Him so that you can return to Him someday.

Shaylee, I look forward so much to watching you grow and can’t wait to see all the wonderful things you will do in your life. I hope to be able to live closer to you one of these days soon, but in the meantime, keep being the sweet little girl that you are! I love all the pictures that your mom sends me. They always make my day!

I love you so much!
Grandma Jannet