Every year I ask myself how can it be? How can it be that these babies of mine keep getting so old? How did this little spunky raspy-voiced girl who cut her hair off one day and made me bawl for hours…
turn into this funny 6th grader:
..and eventually into this beautiful girl who glows with goodness from the inside out?
How did she go from this:
to this:
And from this:
to this:
in the twinkle of my eye? How is it that this baby of mine wears make-up and wears my clothes? How is it that she can see the needs of her little sisters sometimes before I do, and that she can calm me down when I’m hopping mad by just saying something funny or saying some little thing to help me see the big picture? How did she turn into my teacher in so many ways rather than my little girl? I don’t know, but she did. And I love her with all my heart for it. I love her sense of humor, her heart-felt sorrys, her teasing of her little sisters (because sometimes they need it:), her photography skills, her eye for beauty, her competitive side, her kind heart, her big spirit, her eye-rolls, her ga-ga-craziness-for-long-hair diligence, her organization, her hard work, her understanding of how to choose what is right and be a leader, her no-nonsense, no-drama, fun-loving personality that brightens all our days around here and most of all her love for her Heavenly Father. 
Happy birthday Elle Belle. Love you forever. And ever.
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Happy Birthday to Elle!
I'm just curious, is her name pronounced As Ell-ie or is pronounced as El? Either way it's a beautiful name!
She is a beautiful girl and her genunine goodness shows through in her glowing smile. All of your children are gems.
She is precious!
what a beauty!
i love to see young people so passionate about what is right and good!
chalk one up for our generation of teens!
http://www.delightfulbybridget.blogspot.com
Happy Birthday, Elle. It is obvious what a beautiful and kind spirit she has because they come through in every picture of her. I wish her many more birthdays and you many more years to enjoy your wonderful children. 🙂
In a few of the pictures, I thought you posted the wrong child! Claire looks very similar to Ell!
Happy birthday to you Elle!!
She is gorgeous!!
she is such a beauty!
Your photography does a wonderful job of capturing her beaquty. Happy birthday!
Made me tear up. I have a love/hate relationship with my kids getting older…I miss the little cuddles, but those big kid cuddles are pretty sweet, too. Have birthday to your cute girl:)
Seriously cried at this. The last two shots got me, of you two. I know my daughters will be here before I know it! There's just something heart wrenching about the FIRST GIRL though!!
She is beautiful, inside and out. You guys have done (and are doing) an amazing job.
Good-looking genes sure run your family! You and Dave are a handsome couple, and all of your kids are gorgeous, too! 😉
Your paralyzed friend,
Heather
Happy Birthday to Elle! Those are great pictures of her! She always looks so Happy and CONFIDENT!! I pray that my kids will turn out like her!
Such a lovely girl – you have every right to be oh so proud.
Happy Birthday Elle! Your photography skills are amazing and inspiring! I hope you have another great birthday!
happy birthday Elle!!!
I love he glow you have!
These words choked me up. Too soon, they are women, mentors, friends. You are blessed. xoxo