Bethany's three year old poem:
Your first year was a patient one
quiet and serene
You were the most compliant child
I think I've ever seen
The second year the switch was flipped
Land sakes alive and holy cow!
Our "Patience" was gone with the wind
A whirlwind you were now
Still, every little season of you
has been so special to me
As I watch you grow and I watch you change
Through the entire spectrum of the
personality range
It has me thinking, smile on my lips
of your third year, just past
it sure went by fast
And now I can see this this was the year
that you came into your own
personality
I look at you - my how you've grown
And I think you are so sweet
from your long brown hair
to your pitter-patter feet
I love your cute laugh as you tell a tale
of Pooh Bear locked up in a cowboy jail
Or something funny Andrew's doin'
or of Molly's drawing that you did ruin
Funny, funny, sweet as Pooh bear honey, are you
and so sly and coy too
When you see I have intentions
to plant a kiss on you
As the couch becomes our round-about
Hard to get, my little girl giggles
your high pitched squeals and laughter sounds-about
the house as I kiss your cheek amid the wiggles
"I do it myself" - that's your motto
You can buckle your sandles without a lott-o
delay these days
And you button your dress
with a smile on your face
that's a joyful popsicle mess
And flash those eyes - are they green? blue?
Well - it depends on what you're wearing
dress, hose, shoe
And did I mention big girl undies?
Cinderella, Nala
All of a sudden - viola!
the diapers they are gone
So as you chase through the fun days
now the potty you can sit upon
And most times, and most ways
your tinkle stays
off the floor, the carpet, our shoes
Good for you, sweetheart!
because we've paid our dues
in this area through the years
It fills me with joy to know that
happiness is yours
You know how to have fun
this much is sure
And no matter what you are being
my ballerina
or comedienne,
Olympic gymnast
in a stuck-landing stand
My song-singer
"let me be your wings"
How well my little girl sings!
And my sweet ni-ni time book reader
or our early morning
drowsy-frowsy-talk-to-Mommy-and-Daddy girl
Later - my squealing with glee
"Play tag hide and seek with me!" maiden
Made in Heaven.
My heart is always stayed on you
and the things you do make me so proud
be they quiet or loud
You are our precious little gift from the Lord
because He wanted to make sure that
we would never be bored
And - as always - He did it just right
So as you have fun at your Birthday tonight
I must confess
I am so very blessed
to be the daddy of one
so sweet, and so fun,
so beautiful as you are
So - whether near or far
sunrise and sunset
Whether you're happy and lively
or if your feeling upset
No matter what - this blessing to you I send
That my love for you
will never, ever end
And I wouldn't trade the stars in the sky
for that sparkle in your eye
nor the kingdoms of this world
for your bright little smile
And your cute, unique style
For you are my favorite little three year old girl
I love you
Daddy
August 2, 1996