A Note From Mom: Ruby Jane is FOUR!!

I tried really hard not to take any moments for granted over the last four years. But I have. And you've grown. And you're just as precious and dazzling as the day you arrived, Ruby Jane! I'd give anything to just swaddle you up into a little burrito again and snuggle you next to me all day. The day you entered into my life on this Earth, I saw myself in a brand new way.

This happened every time each of you kids were born, a new reflection of myself. New beauty to see, new scuff marks to buff out. I would have twenty-five more of you if I could and if that happens I will savor each those baby burritos more and more, but when you came along, I felt like you made the set complete. There was something about you that just made me feel completely at peace.

In the last few years, along with that peace, you've brought remarkable joy to this home... and have made each of us want to pull our hair out in complete frustration because of something you've colored on, hid in a funny hiding place, broken... you are unstoppable in your ideas. I love that about you! You are strengthened with a vision and a way to put it in action. And even at four years old, your words and body language, could more than likely get me to do anything. I pray that your vision remains completely focused on the things above and that when given the opportunity to put it into action, you always work diligently and humbly.

You love people deeply. DEEPLY. Great Grandma is your best friend, and even after Uncle Jimmy passed away earlier this year, you still regularly tell me how much you loved him and still really miss him. You are passionate. I pray that passion always remains the fury of your heart, and when you love something or someone, you do it deeply and unconditionally.

You have impeccable style. You daily ask me and/or your sisters, if what you are wearing is "boootiful". I pray you always are clothed in compassion and grace and mercy and kindness and cloaked in Love. You turn heads with that beautiful little smile and sweet little face... may they always be a reflection of your beaming, radiant heart.

My sweet little baby... you will always be. You have taught me so much, and I'm so thankful for your unconditional love for me and all the koala hugs and kisses. I love you, Babe! Happy Birthday!

A Note From Mom: Elly is EIGHT!!

Eight years have flown by with you, Babe. You are so kind and full of compassion. You are also filled with just the right amount of mischief, which I always know is about to take place because of the twinkle in your eyes (exactly like your Daddy!) and your little dimples show up on your perfectly freckled cheeks. 

You and your sisters and brother have loved me in heavenly ways this last year. You especially have a sense of knowing when I need held, and you snuggle up to me until we fit just perfectly together. You've been my little Snugglebear since the moment you arrived, and it's healed so many, many things within me.

You are one of the most thoughtful people I've ever known. It is obvious that you are very aware of how deeply loved you are, because it pours out of you in your love for others. At your birthday party this year, the first gift you opened was from yourself and you had a huge grin as you read the card, "Happy Birthday, Elly! To me, from me." And it was funny and it made us all laugh with you, but it also moved me so much because it was a perfect visual for me of value. You know your own value, you already know how to nourish that within yourself, and because of that, you see the value in every other living thing that your Maker has created. It's beautiful and humbling to witness. 

I pray that your love deepens more and more for the One who loves you so deeply. I pray that you will always have eyes to see people in the same way Christ sees them. Your kindness is magic, and I pray it will be used over and over for many grand purposes. I have a feeling that just as you've healed so many things in me with your affections, the Healer of all things will continue to use them along with your compassion and empathy to bring healing to many more. Happy Birthday, little Sweetness! I love you so very deeply. 

A Note From Mom: Judah is SIX!!!!

{photo: Kacy Meineke Photography}

Oh, my sweet little Buddy... you're six years old today. And six still sounds little to me, but I sometimes forget that you are still little. You're so smart and talented, drawing and sketching for hours. You're so tender-hearted and empathetic... way beyond your years. You're ornery, AND so compassionate. You're so good at telling me what you're feeling and what you need, and I need that so much. I need that so I can love you the way you need to be loved, but I also need that because I feel so loved when you share those things with me. You are such an incredibly special gift to me.

This past year has been a very hard year for me personally. I pray these are not the memories you hold of me, but there is one memory I have of you that took place this last year that I will hold onto and treasure forever. In one of my darkest moments, you snuggled up beside me and wrapped your arms tightly around me and whispered, "I'm just going to lay here and be sad WITH you, Mommy." That changed something in me in that moment. Your love changed me, Buddy. I pray that you are always deeply aware of how your love can transform people. I hope that the One who is transforming you, will use it to bring light to the darkness over and over again.

I pray that you are filled with courage and strength, and that you would be clothed in humility and kindness. I hope that these things will protect you and be used for many, many grand purposes in your life.

Judah means "to thank" which is synonymous with both praise and gratitude. In every season of your life, I hope you find gratitude. I pray that you are always able to praise your Maker for everything... for every joy and every pain, for every blessing given or not given, praise the One who loves you so deeply. I love you, Buddy! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

A Note From Mom: Lucy is NINE YEARS OLD!

Oh, Babe... nine years old. I can't believe you're nine years old.

You are a beautiful, beautiful soul. You are so filled with purpose... and you're nine. You speak truth with such confidence and it's been incredible to watch that over this last year. I pray that the Truth that fills you will be covered in compassion and gentleness and that you will be courageous and purposeful in your words and your actions.

I've witnessed many moments this last year where your eyes were open to the Beauty and the Grace that knit you together. Your heart was being captured. The day you decided you wanted to follow Jesus, will be a day that I continue to rejoice over again and again. We know that God's ways are not our ways and I pray that you will crave HIS ways. I pray that you will always see the beauty in His purpose, and that you will cling to His grace. I pray that through life's pains and joys, you will always be a reflection of Beauty and Grace.

You are so smart and equally hilarious. You just recently read Little Women, a 47 chapter book that you managed to finish in less than two weeks. That's incredible and I hope that you will always have a yearning to read. I pray that the treasures you read will create beautiful places in your mind that you can visit whenever you'd like to. You are infatuated with France right now, and even learning some basic French phrases online. I hope one day we are hand in hand looking out from the Eiffel Tower (and I'm sure we'll both have tears streaming, because it will just be too beautiful for us to handle), and that it will just be one of the many, many adventures for you around this beautiful Earth.

My little Lucy, you were such an incredible gift to me the moment I knew you were there, but with each year that comes and goes, I see more and more of what an indescribable gift you are to me! I just needed you SO much, and I'm so thankful to be your mom.

I love you, Babe... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!