Seven years ago this week Hurricane Katrina gripped the nation.  It was followed two weeks later by Hurricane Rita.  You probably already know this.

But what you may not know is that a little hurricane  came right in-between.

Seven years ago today, our world was rocked by a seven pound bundle we named Rylie Cate.

I remember in the early months of my pregnancy telling Hayden and Hallie we were expecting a baby.  When we asked them what they thought we were having, Hayden said a baby brother.  Prophetic Hallie said a baby tiger.

That's our Rylie.  Fierce.  Whether it be reacting to her brother who frequently pushes her button or she's dancing, the girl is a torrent of personality. One time she plotted the ruin of a coach who was unkind to her brother.

One of my good friends described Rylie best by saying, "Her personality enters the room a minute before she does" like a hurricane whose coming is announced before its arrival.

That's our Rylie.

 

She told me last Saturday that she wished- that day- was her birthday because "then" she said "It could be all about me".

The honesty.

She does like it to be about her, most of us do at moments -though we'd be unlikely to admit it.

 

But also like a hurricane, she often unexpectedly changes her path. One minute she's a ball of fury, the next- the fury has fizzled and forgiveness takes its place.

She's the judge who carefully makes sure everyone is in first place.  High-spirited, yet tender.

Sometimes destruction is in her path, like the time she got into the nail polish.  Or the time she cut her hair.  There was also the time she cut a hole in my shirt ....while I was wearing it.

She's a storm that always ends in a rainbow.

She can be loud and wild on the outside and yet her center is calm, assured.  One of her hugs can bring about peace in the midst of chaos.  I'd pay for one of her hugs.  Thankfully she gives them freely.

As she moves about, she carries a warmth with her. It's likely she's told you that you're beautiful and she means it!  You probably think you're her best friend. She makes you feel that way.

She's effortlessly funny with a sharp wit.  ....Like this morning when she told Hallie, "Mom's grits are lumpy.....and AMAZING."  ......Or the time I asked her to eat three more bites at supper and she told me, "Mom, I love you more than anything you've ever cooked".

I trust that she will grow in grace and beauty each day as she was created to do. She's already doing that.

I don't know how you're spending your Saturday, but I'm spending mine with a certain baby who turned seven-years old overnight.

And..

 

I'm celebrating the anniversary of when our family was taken by storm.

 Happy Birthday Rylie-

September 1