Dear Abby...

One of my favorite pictures of you done by your mommy.

Hello Special Girl!  I am so happy to be able to write this birthday message to you today.  I can't believe you are 8 years old already!  The time seems to go so fast, especially because you are so far away from us!
I am glad that I am getting to know you a little better over the phone and through your blog.  Maybe we should start skyping? ;)
I love that you are such a great big sister to Joey and Ellie.  I am the oldest of my siblings and I know it's not always easy.  You get in trouble sometimes for things they do - even if it's not your fault - right?  That used to happen to me, but it wasn't too bad.  You get to be their example, their teacher, their protector, their friend.  It's a special position!
I also love that you love life the way you do.  You remind me a lot of your very own mommy when she was your age.  Your mommy loved to dress up, dance, roller skate... She was always laughing!  She was very stubborn too!  Once she decided she felt a certain way about something - she stuck to it!!  That wasn't always good, but now that she's older, it has helped her to stand up for what is right and stick to it!!  I hope that you have that too.

Me, Uncle Ondray and your  Mommy with "Santa"

I also love that you like to learn.  I love it that you love to read.  I won't ever forget the day you told me all the things you were learning about Queen Elisabeth I.  She is one of my favorite people to study.  From what I've learned, she was not perfect, but she usually tried to do what was right.  She did not have an easy childhood.  She dealt with rejection - even from her own father and half-sisters.  She dealt with people that tried to trick her and take her position.  There were people that lied about her and did not like her because of what she believed.  However, there were also people that did believe in her and did believe in what she stood for and they helped her.  She focused on the good - not the bad.  She knew that she had to be smart.
Life is like that for everybody.  I know that you are only EIGHT today, but I also know that you are smart and a thinker.  Remember that when you do right - there will be some people that will not like you for it.  Remember that sometimes you may feel alone, but you are never alone.  Always be brave and courageous like Good Queen Bess (that was one of her nicknames).  Stand tall and stand for what your mommy and daddy have taught you.

Elisabeth I - 1546 by an unknown artist

Lastly Abby, I know that you already know this, but you are a special child of God.  You are so loved and blessed by those in your life.  You are beautiful and you are smart.  I may not know everything about you little Abby Girl, but I do know that God has something special planned for your life.  You are amazing.  You are awesome.
I hope that one day you will live closer to us so that I can spend time getting to know you even more.  But until then, I will continue to read your blog and chat with you on the phone.
I hope your day is amazing like you.  I love you sweety!!
Love Always,
Aunt Sherry and Uncle Marco

Uncle Marco, Hannah, Taryn, Naomi and Little Marco

We love you Abby!! Happy Birthday!!