This seems to be the time for birthday wishes....

and
though you might be starting to tire of them
you will have to endure at least one more.
This one is for someone who is very close to my heart.
She has provided inspiration for many
and brings so much sunshine to my life.
Technically...
she isn't mine,



but my heart doesn't seem to know that!
~~~~~
Miss Ella turned
"5"
today.
~~~~~
What a year she has had,
she continuously seems to find a way to shine for God
in ways most might say are impossible.
Ella has proven this year that NOTHING
is impossible with God.



That smile.
That laugh..
That's my Ella.



Sometimes she may seem unaware
of the joy that she brings to others lives



but don't be fooled,
this little booger feels so much more on the inside
than people know.



You can't help but be drawn to her...
when you have sunshine following you everywhere you go,
that's expected!



There is just something about this face....



that can brighten any gloomy day.



People just feel like
life is just a little brighter when she's around.
I think it's all about the smile or
maybe it's just about the way
she she sees the rainbows
through the clouds.
~~~~~
If only we could see the world
as she sees it, hears it, experiences it.



Though some things,
may bring worry and concern across her face....
ultimately she has been given by God
the ability to laugh and smile
when most of us want to do the exact opposite.



though some see this as a characteristic of autism...
I choose to view it as a special gift from God.
She has shown me to laugh and look for the rainbows
or the unordinary which I tend to overlook.
My, what I would have missed out on
if not for my Ella.

Who knew January 21, 2008,
when she turned just four years old,
that this little girl,



would and could inspire this big crowd of people



to walk for Autism



and by doing so spread
Inspiration. Awareness. and Hope.
I know who knew....
God did.

They all did it because
of God and one very important person...
My Girl,
Miss Ella.

She has had a wonderful year...
full of new accomplishments.
She has found many things along the way to
experience and appreciate....



and by doing so,
has taught us to do the same.



She has taught people
to never underestimate the possibilities
of ANY child,
She's proven
that you can never know
how far a child can reach until you teach them to climb.
(Angie, I'm not talking about the kitchen cabinents here!)



She has taught us all to find new ways
to show people we love them.
If one thing doesn't work,
always try, try again.



Most of all,
she has taught me
that when you truly love someone...
you don't always have to say it...

for there are some that may not be able

to understand the words...
But there is a place they can always feel it
where it can always be understood...
that place is found
in the heart.

Ella,
Misshelle
(that's what she calls me!)
is so proud of you and all the new things you
experienced and learned this past year.
My prayer is that God will continue to guide you
to your rainbows end and to what He has for you,
that He will continue to help you
show me and others
about the beauty in the world around us
that we take for granted,
and that,
He will continue to allow you to feel
the love and support of those around you.

I love you Sweet Pea.

Thank you for being the sunshine in my world,
and for teaching me to look for the rainbows on the rainy days.