Not long ago, after putting Ayva to bed, Terrence said to me, “You know what I love the most about Ayva? She can have a bad day, get in trouble and have to get a time out, but when she wakes up the next morning, it’s like it never happened.” It’s true. My Ayva is a 5-year-old ball of positivity. Energetic and optimistic, her enthusiasm for life inspires me to continuously think of new ways to surprise and excite her.

It’s actually not difficult to excite my Ayva, though. Something like finding a penny on the street might seem small to me, but absolutely makes my sweet girl’s entire day! It’s funny how every time she finds a penny, she starts making plans for it. She’s going to put it in her piggy bank, save them all up, and take the entire family to dinner, or she’s going to save up 1000 pennies and buy the kids at church ice cream. It’s never just her penny. She always makes sure to include others on the fun that she’s planning, and she means it from the very core of her heart.

She is a special girl.

When Ayva was born, our entire family agreed that her arrival came at a time when we needed it most. We had been dealing with some major tragedies, and Ayva was our reminder that life still goes on, and that there is still so much to be grateful for. She came in the world blessing us, and that’s only grown as she’s gotten older. It’s clear to me, and everyone that meets her, that her gift is that of joy. From the songs she makes up, to the stories she tells, and her smile…oh, that smile…she is extraordinary. And I’m overjoyed and thankful every day that she’s mine!

Stanford Children’s Health is the largest Bay Area healthcare provider with an exclusive focus on children and expectant women, and they get that all children are extraordinary. They’re inviting parents to create sweet personalized videos to really capture what makes them one of a kind. Take a look at my video (that, by the way, brought tears to my eyes when it was done) and head over to make your own. It’s no wonder Stanford Children’s Health and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford has been the top-ranked children’s hospital in Northern California for over a decade. When you respect your patients and understand that no two children are alike, it makes sense that you would be top of the class when it comes to their care!

What makes your kid extraordinary isn’t just the epic stuff. It’s the little things. The small moments that maybe only you see — and quietly celebrate every day. Your kid is extraordinary. Show them how much you enjoy every moment together by creating a special video of your own! http://clvr.li/1jyunZ9

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.