Dearest Lola,
Today is such a special day. Birthdays are always wonderful, but this is the most celebrated birthday you have ever had. You have had such a tough year, and you are such a tough little girl.
6 years ago when the Dr. put you into my arms I fell into love with you in a way I never thought possible. 
You were PERFECT. Your big beautiful eyes looked up at me and I knew what it meant to be a parent. I instantly knew the love that parents have for their children. I didn’t worry about what the future had in store for you, for I knew that God had given you to me to care for, and that you would be taken care of forever.
The next 5 years we’re so fun!! You were such an amazing little girl. You started to crawl around 6 months, and then you started to walk around 9 months and then you started to talk!!! And you haven’t stopped talking since! I have a video of you just past your 1st birthday saying ‘I’m 13 months old.’ You we’re and still are a brilliant child.
Right before your 2nd birthday we brought home your baby sister form Ethiopia.
We had been gone for 2 weeks to pick up Kia and we missed you so much!!! When we got to the airport you ran up to us, looked at your new sister and said ‘Can I pet her?’ You became such a good big sister, and it didn’t take long for you two to become best friends. You have a truly caring spirit, not just for your family but for ALL people. You really are such a sweet, sweet little girl.
We did so many fun things together as a family. Our lives we’re nearly perfect. Last year you even got to celebrate your 5th birthday in Africa!!! You loved living in Tanzania. Everyday you would play outside in the warm sunlight running around and making up some pretend game. It was so fun to be a family in Tanzania. Life was easier, the pace was slower, and we got to spend a lot more time together as a family!!! There was no hustle and bustle like there is here in the US. You LOVED it there.
Shortly after your 5th birthday you started to get sick, and we ended up coming back to Michigan. We found out that you had Leukemia and I felt like the world had stopped spinning.
I just kept thinking about how you were to sweet of a little girl to have to go through that. But you know what Lola?? You have survived this past year and made it to another birthday!! You have done SO good, and I am SO proud of you!! I know that it has been hard, and I know that you haven’t been able to play as much this past year, and I know that you have a lot of days when you don’t feel good, but you are AMAZING!!! When we were at clinic last week and it was time for you to get poked you we’re so strong!! And when you asked to have a minute before the poke, and you then prayed out loud that God would make it not hurt, and you thanked God for the sunshine that day and for all the people at the hospital, I just thought about how strong of a little girl you are. I have learned so much from you, so much about happiness, and faith in the Lord. I wish you didn’t have to go through this, but I am thankful that you are still here on your 6th birthday.
My dear Lola, we have another hard year in front of us, but I KNOW we can do it!!! There will be a lot of hard days, but there will be even more good days. Days where you smile and run and play. Days where our family is together and days where I feed you pancakes for breakfast, lunch and dinner….. just like you like. 
I love you with all my heart and then some. Keep smiling and loving God. Happy 6th birthday!!!
Love always, Mommy
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