The Salmon Six

Four Sweet Years Ago


I fell in love


With a blond-haired, blue-eyed, nine pound baby girl.

I had been hoping for a daughter,
and when she was born I knew her name would be

Julia Faith

When we were engaged I told Darin that if we ever had a daughter I wanted to name her Julia. He loved the name as much as I did. Then after struggling to conceive our first child with infertility treatments, and facing the possibility of twins, we quickly chose the name Faith for a second daughter. When it was confirmed that I was carrying only 1 baby, we were set on the name Julia Faith for a girl. Her perfect name waited as we welcomed Trent and Trey into our family first. I could have never imagined a more beautiful daughter to give this beautiful name to.

7 months old

Julia has always been beautiful. I had never seen a baby more beautiful than she was. Her twinkling blue eyes, platinum blond hair and big smile are amazing. She is my every dream come true!

1 year old

Julia was a very happy baby. She never left the house without a HUGE hair bow and bracelet. She has brought so much joy and excitement into our family. Julia loves to listen to music, singing along and making up dances. She knows every Taylor Swift song and will remind you that "stupid" is a bad word every time she listens to "Picture to Burn". Right now her favorite dance songs are Rhianna's "Disturbia" and Britney Spears "Break the Ice".

2 years old

Julia is very much a girly girl. She has opinions about how to do her hair, enjoys wearing lip gloss and painting her nails. She loves dressing up and is a big fan of the Disney Princesses. On the other hand, Julia can most definitely hang with the boys! She has NO FEAR! From the time she could walk she's been climbing on counter tops and jumping off and when there is a bug in the house or yard she gets excited to try to pick it up and check it out. Julia play fights and wrestles with her brothers and can be quite fiesty when she doesn't get her way.

3 years old

Julia has helped me develop patience. She has a STRONG WILL and ability to manipulate almost any situation. She is extremely smart and can see past any distractions or bribes you offer her. It has been both a challenge and a blessing learning how to parent her. I know that Heavenly Father needs her strong and valiant spirit in these last days and I am thankful for the amazing gift she has within her.

4 years old!

For Julia's birthday this year she went to Disneyland with her friend, Emily. The highlight was going to the Princess Fair, seeing the Princesses up close and learning to curtsy and dance like a real Princess. They went on all of Julia's favorite rides, including the tea cups and Dumbo. We got to meet and take pictures with Jesse (Toy Story), Pluto and Goofy and completed the day with some shopping, where Julia chose some sparkly Princess nail polish and a Princess stamp and marker set.


Once home, we made cupcakes together. Then she went with Daddy to Trent's soccer practice where he painted her nails with her new polish and kept her away for a little while so Trey and I could set up a "Surprise" party for her. Trey and I decorated the cupcakes, put out a few party decorations and wrapped her presents. When she got home we yelled "SURPRISE" and she beamed from ear to ear!

Julia has a grateful heart and is always the first of the children to thank me for making dinner, for playing a game with her, or for helping her with something she needs. She tells me she loves me every day, at least a few times.

As we cuddled in bed at the end of the day, Julia gave me one of her "lock you up" hugs and said "Thank you Mommy for my birthday party".
In that moment my heart swelled with overwhelming emotion and I wondered if it was even possible to try to explain to my sweet daughter how deeply I love her.

Julia, I love your big smile and passion for life.
I love playing with you, talking with you and laughing with you!
You are so pretty, I love doing your hair and painting your nails.
Thank you for being a good sister and big girl.
You are such a good helper.
I love cooking with you and making treats with you.
I am so proud of you for trying hard to be good and to be a better listener.
I love watching you play with Lauren.
She loves you and is so blessed that you are her big sister!

Julia, I hope you know that I'll always be here loving you, guiding you and praying for you. You, my Jules, are one of the greatest blessings ever bestowed upon me.

Love,
Mommy