Going in order, youngest to oldest……

Dear Chaya,

My sweetheart, my lil CookyLou!

Wow, where do I start with you?  I know what first comes to mind…..Daddy’s girl!!  See, you have had an extra dose of Daddy time for the past 2 years.  You’re almost 4 years old and I get all teary eyed when I think of how much you mean to me.  Sometimes I try to hide my love for you so Gabriel won’t think I favor you, but I do favor you.  Just like I favored him when he was little.  You’re only young once, and I enjoy every minute of your youth.

Now then….Daddy’s girl!  There is no mistaking it.  If you were a bit older, we would be twins.  You act just like me and sometimes that’s not such a good thing!  In the end, good and bad, it’s just God’s way of telling me, as we are His, you are definitely mine.  I love you Chaya!

You’re going to start school this fall and I’m just not sure what I’m going to do with myself without you around.  Sure, I’ll have baby Elijah to keep me busy, but I will surely miss you!  From the mornings, when you wake up…..I pick you up to hear those Heavenly words, “Myyyy Daddy.”  I, of course, reply with, “Myyyy Chaya.”  Those moments will never be forgotten.  I live for them!  All through the day, when sometimes you make me crazy, to night time, when I have to hug and kiss you 10 times because you’re convinced you haven’t had any hugs or kisses all day…..Then, it’s “I sure love you Daddy.”  Ahhhh it’s awesome being your Daddy!

Ya know what’s even better?  You and I share a Father.  I know, it’s a bit confusing right at the moment, but that guy, Jesus, I am always telling you about…..He is our Heavenly Father!  You won’t hear much about Him at school cuz the world is a crazy place, but that’s ok Chaya.  Mommy and Daddy will teach you so that you can teach others.  That’s the key baby girl…..don’t hold it in…..your main purpose in this life is to spread the word of Christ to everyone you can.  Live for Jesus Chaya….Live LIKE Jesus…..and you cannot go wrong.

In about a month, you’re going to have a baby brother!  You are super excited about being a big sister and I’m counting on you to help me out.  I have a big sister and I’m not sure what I would have done without her through the years.  I pray that you and Elijah will have that kind of a relationship.  You’re lucky cuz Elijah is only 4 years younger than you.  You two are gonna have a great time and I’m sure he will learn a lot about life from you.

Things are going to change, as they always do when a new life is introduced into the family.  You might not get the attention you’re used to from Daddy and, to be honest, Daddy is kinda scared of how you’re going to handle that.  I’m constantly praying about it though and I trust that God will see us through.  Just know that you will ALWAYS be Daddy’s little girl and I love you with all of my heart.  There is nothing/no one who could ever change that.

Love,

Daddy