Friday, March 10, 2006

Friend Of The Week 3.10.06

Friend of the Week: Isabella Tate Hawkins

We are leaving tomorrow to go visit the Hawkins family in Raleigh for the weekend, so I wanted to write about the youngest Hawkins (though not for long), Bella.

Bella is the daughter of our good friends, Aaron and Eli (who Marty met at Mars Hill College). Since Bella came into our lives November 27th, 2003, we have been completely in love with her. I never thought that a 2 year old could be such a true friend, but she sure is. Even though we don't get to see her often, she is always asking her mom and dad about us. The funny thing is that she doesn't know who "Sarai" is...yes, she knows me, but not as Sarai. As a matter of fact, she will correct anyone who utters that word when referring to me. If you ask her who I am, she will respond "Water Rai". When she first began to talk, she couldn't say Sarai so I was referred to as "Rai" (a nickname that stemed from Marty calling me Sayray..then his friend Andrew calling me Rai, and various others who still call me "Rai"). Well, last summer we were at Eli's family's lake cabin in SC and went out on the water for some tubing activities one afternoon. Bella, watching me tube from the boat, started saying "Water Rai". She actually added "water" to everyone's name that day, but it only stuck with mine. So, now, a year later, she still calls me Water Rai, and it's the cutest thing I have ever heard. I have to wonder, though, if she will teach this name to her baby sister, Eden, who will be born in May, or if this will be a me and Bella thing...either way, it's ok by me! Nothing melts my heart like hearing that little girl ask for her "Water Rai"!!

Bella has one of the strongest personalities I know. There is no doubt about it that when you spend time with her, whether it be for 10 minutes or 10 days, you know exactly who she is and what makes her tick. She is VERY energetic (I guess I really don't know a 2 year old that isn't!), she loves to dance and sing VeggieTales, and loves to watch Noggin. She loves her family and is very excited about having a new baby sister, even though she is very confused as to why baby sister Eden and the Garden of Eden have the same name! :) She loves God and enjoys going to church and on play dates with kids from church. She loves people that love her, and she is probably one of the cutest kids in the whole world! After all, who wouldn't love this face???
I love you little Bella, and I am so excited about sharing life with you! Posted by Picasa

3 comments:

GJ said...

Man....if you have to be that cute to be Friend of the Week, I will never make it.

Flo said...

She is soooo stinkin' cute I can hardly stand it!!!!!

Beth said...

i can hardly stand the cuteness, of that little lamb! ahh! dear, she has grown up quite a bit since the little bald beauty at your wedding! hehe! adorable... just adorable!