Mom's letter to Rowan at four years old

Rowan Caroline Sloothaak (or as you would say, Rowan Sloothaak Caroline), 

Wow!  I just cannot believe that you, my baby girl, are FOUR!  Four seems much too old, but I am just LOVING this stage with you!  This past year has been one of growth and LOTS of great changes for you!  You are still determined, strong-willed, and bold.  BUT....you have developed the MOST tender, sweet, and loving side.  You say "I love you" countless times every day.  Sometimes when I'm just leaving the room I'll hear you shout "Mom, I love you!".  When I drop you off at Imagination Station in the mornings and you say to me over and over "I love you mom.  Have a good day.", and ask for one more hug and kiss, it just makes my heart overflow!  I will always, always be absolutely crazy about you!!

God has given you such a wonderful imagination.  I love watching you play with your stuffed animals,  babies, and dollhouse because it gives me a glimpse of the tender heart God has given you.  You hold, and bounce, and tuck in your babies in the sweetest way!  And you tell the silliest (most of the time, untrue) stories.  Sometimes dad and I wonder if we can believe a single word you say :), but we are so thankful for a personality that is completely yours.  You give compliments freely, and you are an absolute fashionista.  The girly part of me just loves that and dreams of the fun we'll have in the future!

You are still a girl of high highs and low lows.  As you've inched up on four years old, we have enjoyed SO many more highs than lows.  We enjoy every one of them.  Your JOY is uncontainable!  You love to laugh and be silly, sing and dance, draw and play.  You just can't hold it in when you're happy or excited, and it brings such a silly, FUN energy to our family!

God has blessed us beyond our wildest dreams with you, Rowie!  There is no other child in the entire world who could take your place.  You are exactly who God made you to be, and you are becoming more and more all the time.  I am so thankful to be a part of watching you grow!

I pray that you will always know how perfectly you've been made.  And that you'll believe it.  I know how girls are, and I know the flaws we all see in ourselves.  But can I tell you something?  In my eyes, you are absolutely flawless.  You are the most beautiful girl I've ever seen, inside and out.  I'll feel that way forever, I just know it.  You are everything that God made you to be.  Even with your imperfections, you are perfectly His.

It warms my heart to hear you talk about Jesus and sing "Bible songs".  You love in such a deep, full way...I wish I could bottle it up!  My prayer for your life is that you will love Jesus deeply and fully forever...and because you are so in love with Him, you will love others deeply and fully too.  The way Jesus would!  

We are so thankful that God has given YOU to us!

Happy 4th birthday, Rowan!!