Our delightful daughter, Arianna, turned three this February!  She has been a sweetheart from day one. We’d describe her as intelligent, observant, thoughtful, sensitive and artistic. We did a little interview with Arianna on her birthday and her answers will tell you a little more about her.

• Favorite color: Blue
• Favorite Song: Jesus Loves Me
• Favorite Show: Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood
• Favorite Toy: Dollhouse
• Favorite Food: Pizza
• Favorite Treat: Cookie with M&Ms
• Favorite Game: Sneaky Snacky Squirl
• Favorite Animal: Elephant
• Favorite Book: Daniel Tiger Goes to School
• What do you want to be when you grow up? Veterinarian

As she mentioned, Arianna’s favorite tv show is “Daniel Tiger,” an animated series based on Mister Roger’s Neighborhood, which we love for it’s socio-emotional themed episodes and catchy songs to help remember the life lessons taught in each one. So, as a family of fans, we partied Daniel-Tiger-style with friendly neighborhood faces around, catchy character phrases featured, and the fun songs playing in the background. You’ll also notice that Arianna’s favorite color was used all around too!

While most family missed her actual birth day (since she was born in Italy), we’ve been blessed to be able to celebrate subsequent birthdays Stateside, including this one, with much lots of family around to see her blow out her candles. Next year will likely include a very different guest list as we expect to be in Italy.

We’re so thankful for this little girl who made us parents 3 years ago. We grabbed some snapshots of our 3 year old at the park in one of her prettiest dresses. Here are a few of our favorites!

As we do annually, we chose a verse for Arianna to learn with her and pray for her this coming year. Phillipians 4:4 reads, “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice.” This coming year will be full of transition for our first born. She has already said goodbye to one home since we moved from our duplex into Grandpa and Grandma’s as a step toward our return to Italy, she’ll be introduced to sisterhood and its host of life changes soon, and then be moved to another country where she’ll have to learn a new language and culture, live without the support of nearby family, and build a whole new community of friends. In the midst of all of that we’ll work together to rejoice in the Lord whose praiseworthy character will never change. We’d love your prayers as we strive to parent her well in the coming months!

We love you Arianna and being your parents is our awesome privilege and joy!