Dear Tatum, you're almost 4.

Dear Tatum,

You are almost 4 now. Where has the time gone? Like so many mommy and daddy's have told me before, I find myself wondering this often.

I so vividly remember the day you were born, the day you changed our worlds for the BETTER, the day we became a F.A.M.I.L.Y.  FOUR YEARS ago.  And now, you are a little girl. A smart, kind intelligent little girl.  You spend your days giving us perspective on the important things in life, while we spend our days rushing, rushing, rushing to get things done. But what really matters, is YOU. You are the precious angel that comes pitter-pattering out of her room at 6:30 every single morning. If Daddy is home, you tip-toe over to his side of the bed, he opens the covers, and you crawl in. If Daddy is gone, you come to Mama's side of the bed, whisper "Mommy, can I have some cereal?" very quietly, so as not to disturb anyone. And this begins our beautiful day with you. We trudge out to the kitchen and quietly pour cereal for you.

We spend the day listening to you discuss the importance of the little things. "I can't find my baby's teddy." "I lost my baby lion." The things that matter to you. The important things.

Bedtime always includes the bible reading.  You are devastated if we miss this. And it continues with kisses, hugs, and Daddy drawing letters on your back. These are what you request.

The things you do that amaze us:

-You are so smart, you can count to 100, add up to tens, and even subtract your tens.

- You read by memory.
- You read the bible (you can't read, but you do make up the words..."And then God said to the people!")

- You kiss your brother many many times each day.

- You are a miss attitude and so strong willed.
- But you are so sensitive and caring.

- You are obsessed with your Daddy, and he rules the world in your eyes.

- But you make time for your Mama, too.
- You love all things pretty, princesses, pink, and purple.

- But you LOVE to get down and dirty on the "ranch", riding four-wheeler, playing in the dirt, and hiking to the tree stand.

You, miss Tatum, amaze us each and every day. You remind us what is important in life.  You are our little angel on earth. And we can't believe you're 4. But we wouldn't want to change a thing.

Love,

Mama