The Butterfly Effect

It is hard being the second child...especially when being the second child also makes you the middle child.  (Not that I would personally know as I am obviously an oldest child :)  

Anna turned ten today!  Now, I was sad as this birthday approached because I once again realized that this would be my last, hand crafted cake for Anna.  However, the raw emotion I felt with Noah wasn't there...I mean I had been through this before...10 comes and life keeps on ticking.  See, it really sucks to be the second child!

Anna has been waiting for the this birthday for YEARS!  Why, you ask?   Because at 10, she can get her ears pierced.  So, she was approaching 10 with great excitement.

As I started thinking about her cake, I was trying to come up with something unique to her....something that would exemplify Anna.  I finally got an inspiration....butterflies! Now, those of you who know Anna probably just chuckled!  You see, Anna is often "marching to her own drum" and "chasing butterflies".  But this is not the reason I decided upon a butterfly cake.  The reason I picked a butterfly cake is because of a very involved theory know as the Butterfly Effect....

Let me explain....

In a very detailed scientific discovery, Edward Lorenz found that the details of a hurricane can be influenced by the flapping of a butterfly's wing several weeks earlier.  My friend introduced me to this theory a few years ago and it perfectly describes my beautiful, Guatemalan daughter.   You see, Anna's life has inspired several of our family and friends to adopt children.  Anna's life has influenced many people to go on a mission trip.   The little baby girl born in Guatemala is truly influencing peoples hearts for the least of these!  Do you want to know the best part?  She alone has this effect...she doesn't have to share the limelight with Noah!  Even better, Anna is oblivious to the fact that her life has set these events in motion.  Happy Birthday, My Beautiful Butterfly! 

Happy 1st Birthday!

Happy 2nd Birthday!

Happy 3rd Birthday!

Happy 4th Birthday!

Happy 5th Birthday!

Happy 6th Birthday!

Happy 7th Birthday!

Happy 8th Birthday!

Happy 9th Birthday!

Happy 10th Birthday!

As I was looking through these pictures, I realized a couple of things...
1.  I wear the same clothes a lot!
2.  The mirror is not lying...I have aged!
3.  We have lived in quite a few different houses in Anna's 10 years
4.  Time flies...my beautiful daughter is no longer a baby.  She is a young lady!  My time with her is over half done.  (OK maybe I am feeling some raw emotion!)