Dear Kayla,

I have been wanting to tell you how much I love you but there just seems to be too much going on. When you smile at me it makes me melt and forget about all other stresses in life. When you laugh, it makes me laugh, when you are mad, it makes me want to fix it. When I have to put you in time out, it makes me sad and all I want to do is snuggle you and tell you it's alright. When I learn about all the horrible things that happen in the world, I want to keep you from growing up and tell you the world is only full of what you know now, love and laughing. When we pray at night and you sit quietly with your arms folded, I know Heavenly Father is happy and knows you. When you look at the things you throw from your highchair to the floor and say "oh no, no, no" I have to try very hard not to laugh. I love running around in circles with you on the grass and hearing you laugh so hard. I love the way you are terrified of the new puppy and always want me to protect you from him. I love when we have our family hugs and you kiss mom and dad over and over.
I love your sparkly eyes, the way you are learning every second of the day. I love your energy and your love for reading.
Kayla, thank you for being you. Always be who you are.
You are loved by everyone who knows you.
Please, never grow up.
Love,
Mom