It’s not fair, really, for Sophie and her brother (A.K.A. brother-in-law), Trey, to have to share a birthday blog post. Sophie’s brother will be 22 tomorrow, September 18 (Just in case you don’t own a calendar.). Sophie will be four on Sunday, September 19. It’s not simply because their birthdays fall on a weekend and I don’t usually post on a weekend. Clearly, there hasn’t been much posting going on here anyway because the life that I like to post about has demanded way too much from me lately. I guess they’re just going to have to learn to share. I’m sorry. That’s all I’ve got. That, and the special bond this little girl and her brother/brother-in-law share. Hope you weren’t looking for a riveting answer.

My Dearest  Sophie,

Happy 4th Birthday!!!

The past four years have changed my life in so many ways. Your father and I prayed for so long for you to arrive. You are the little sister your big sisters always wanted. Well, actually that’s not true. They wanted a brother. But they wouldn’t trade you for three brothers. At least I don’t think so. You are more than we’d hoped for and we love you so very much.

Sophie wearing her My Birthday Rocks! shirt to preschool to celebrate

her 4th birthday. The day she thinks she turned four, “literally”.

Never could we have imagined the unique combination of spunky, smart and sassy, yet sweet and sensitive that is YOU. All of those words start with S just like your name. I know you think you’re already a teenager. In fact, you told me recently that, “three is a kid, four is a teenager”. I’m sorry to disappoint you, but four and fourteen are two very different ages. I hope you’ll enjoy being four and not try to grow up so fast. There are lots of great things about being four. I know this because I was actually four once. Yes, it’s hard to believe but it’s true.

Four means you have one more year to not have to go to school all week and that means more time with Mommy. Four means you can drink from a cup without a lid. Most of the time. Well, in the kitchen. Four means you are getting a big girl bed that is actually the same exact size of your oldest and married sister’s bed. No more toddler bed for you. Four means you get to have all the fun of being three and even more. You learn more in preschool and even get to have a graduation when you’re finished.

Four is fun. So I hope you will be happy with four and enjoy your last two days of being three. I realize that you still think you are already four because yesterday at preschool we sent cupcakes and your class celebrated your fourth birthday with you. But no matter how many times you say, “yes, I am four, literally,” you will not be four until Sunday. I’m sure most people will think that I should just let you think you are four already but I just can’t. I want to enjoy the last days of three because sometimes mommy’s get sad when their little girls grow up.

You are my sweet angel girl and I love you more than Diet Coke. No amount of eye rolling, tattle-tailing to Daddy on me, sassing, or even tooting on me will ever change that. I know how sweet you really are.  And I thank God for your little strong-willed personality. Most of the time.

Seriously, there is only one you and I wouldn’t change a thing about you.

Love, Mommy

****

Dear Sophie’s Brother/Redneck Son-in-Law,

Happy 22nd Birthday!!!

I hope that you know that my making you share a birthday post with your “sister”, A.K.A four-year-old sister-in-law, doesn’t mean that you aren’t special to me. Now, in case you don’t know, that’s a double negative meaning that you are special. I just thought I’d clarify that because I’m not sure about the Redneck grammar usage.

I also hope that my mention of Sophie’s big girl bed for her birthday being the exact size of yours and Cammie’s bed does not encourage her to tell everyone that she now has a big girl bed that’s the same size as the bed in her sister’s and “brother’s” room. People talk, you know. And I probably shouldn’t mention that your other sister-in-law has a larger, queen size bed because that would just be rubbing salt in the wound.

Seriously, we miss you very much and wish we could celebrate your birthday with you. But it won’t be much longer. The end is in sight. We are so proud of you! The hard work and sacrifices you’ve made this past year will be worth it all. You’ve overcome so many obstacles in such a short time and that makes me so proud to call you my son-in-law. Even if you are a Redneck.

I am glad that you bought some shoes, though.

I’m still not sure why you didn’t have any shoes AT ALL to wear other than Combat Boots when you came home on leave. But I’m thrilled that you have some now.

Other than a bigger bed for you and Cammie or a pair of shoes, is there anything in particular you would like for your birthday? Because I’m seriously thinking of having my Uncle Larry send you a custom made Redneck Tissue Box. I think it’ll be a nice touch for yours and Cammie’s first home.

And just because I’ve picked on you enough, I’ll insert something I know you’ll be glad to display one day in your first home—the portrait of Gavin that Diana painted:

It’s even more amazing in person. I’m so glad you liked it and I know Diana is, too. Cammie says he looks kinda’ like he’s sitting in the sand in Iraq. Glad he’s not. Glad you won’t be much longer, either. Well, not that you’re actually sitting in the sand.

I hope your birthday is blessed and look forward to seeing you in December. Maybe we’ll have you another pair of shoes for Christmas.

I love you more than Diet Coke,

Your mother-in-law, Mama Rena