Let’s go back to August 24, 2010. I was in the hospital getting ready to have a baby girl. Sean and I had decided on the name of Leslie Louisa for this child, naming her after two amazing people. An aunt who was like a 2nd mother to me, teaching me about clothes and makeup (which I can’t stand to wear now). Then a great aunt who I only met a few times, but had a huge impact on me as well, teaching me how to speak proper English and how to eat biscuits with tea. I felt that this little baby would make an impact on the people she met and deserved to share the names of these two amazing ladies.

The doctor had just come in to examine me and decided that the baby would come the next day, so had said he would see me in the morning. About 20 minutes later, the hospital had to call the doctor to turn around and come back because the baby was coming. Leslie was born in the early hours of August 25, 2010. She was ready to come out and meet the world because after 2 pushes she was out. I was amazed at how quickly she arrived, since my previous 2 kids took a long time to arrive. She was perfect and so adorable. She had a full head of black hair, that her granddad Lon was amazed by. He always commented on what a head of hair she had at birth. Since then, her hair has become a beautiful blond color that she is so proud of.

She has become an amazing young lady, who will befriend someone just because they are alone. She will greet anyone who walks past her with a smile, I’m sure brightening up their day, and she loves God with her whole being. She will talk to anyone about the Bible, the Sabbath day, and has been known to scold others who talk about worshiping on Sunday, rather than on God’s Sabbath. Even at 4 years old, she was able to talk about the Bible in a way that would make others want to look up the scripture she quoted. I can’t say how many people she has already made an impact on, but God sure made her special. She’s not afraid to talk to other kids about God and Jesus and gets enjoyment out of spreading God’s word and His love.

She also has a special love of dolphins, determined to one day become a dolphin trainer. She is so certain that she will, that she is already working toward that day, by learning how to swim and planning for her future. She knows where she wants to live, in Florida and has plans (even though they aren’t really plausible yet) about the house she is going to live in, including places for her sister and Ms Becky. She has talked about the person she wants to marry when she grows up, a God-loving man who will support her dreams and help take care of her sister, if necessary. She seems to have her whole life planned out already at 8 years old. I hope she isn’t disappointed.

She also has a love for plants, especially evergreen trees. Last year for her birthday, all she wanted was an evergreen, which Ms Ellie took her to pick out. The person who checked them out said they had never seen a child so excited to be getting a tree. Leslie is so proud of her tree. She helped plant it in the back yard and is taking good care of it. She also loves palm trees, cacti and any flowering plant. She can see beauty in any plant truthfully, having a love of God’s creation that you don’t see very often these days. Every where we go, she sees flowers and has to stop and enjoy their beauty. She also wants to have a house full of plants.

Leslie’s new plant

In the past, she has been willing to share her birthday with Kyle, but this year, she was insistent that she wants a separate party. So we celebrated Kyle’s birthday last weekend, and are celebrating Leslie’s this weekend. She had a little celebration at Ms Ellie’s house Friday, will enjoy her Sabbath birthday with rest and worshiping God, and then Sunday will be a full day, also going to her cousin’s 6th birthday party before going onto Chuck E Cheese for her own party. So there will be more to come about that tomorrow after her party. For now, I just want to wish her a Happy Birthday and let her know how much she is loved.

See her party at Chuck E Cheese here.