A Note From Mom: Ruby is SEVEN!!!

Happy Birthday, my littlest Babe. You are a gift and a treasure and I'm so humbled that God chose us to spend life together. You are full of mischief and wonder and tenderness and grace. I pray that you always are. 

You are truly so, so funny. You have been gifted with laughter and I pray that you will always laugh at the days to come. I pray that you will find strength in dignity and humility. I pray that you will be clothed in compassion and mercy. I pray that God will continue to use you over and over again to heal the broken-hearted and be a source of peace and rest.

I thank God for capturing your heart and giving you eyes to see Him. As you grow and mature, I pray that your gaze will always be drawn back to His face. I pray that when His gentle whisper calls out to you, your ears are ready to hear and your heart is ready to obey.

May you always be filled with generosity and hope, and may it pour out of you continuously. You are so deeply loved. You are a truly a rare little gem, and I thank God for you. I love you, Babe!

A Note From Mom: ELLY IS ELEVEN!!!

It was hard to find pics of just you... because you're always loving on someone or something. Eleven years of my little Sweetness. You have brought me so much joy, Babe.

I feel like over this last year, you have become more aware of the deep well within you that not only sustains you, but nourishes everything around you. You feel things very deeply, and that is both a blessing and a curse. I pray that when your heart is wandering through a deep forest of emotion, that you will always remember to look up and find guidance in your Maker. When you feel those waves of immense joy and utter sadness, hold fast to your Anchor. God will always come to your aid, you need only ask.

I know that breaking your leg and walking on crutches and not being able to do things was a really hard season for you. I pray that God will use the seeds that were planted in you and in those around you to provide an abundant crop of joy and faithfulness. I hope that you have many opportunities to empathize with others through their hard seasons, and I pray that your hope in God will leave others in awe.

I pray that this next year brings you more hope and more Jesus. I pray that you have a continual growing desire to daily love Him more, and fear Him more, and know Him more. I ask that you have more opportunities to live out the meaning of your name, 'My God is Lord', putting Christ first over and over and over again. When He asks you to obey, I pray that your heart leaps with joy at the opportunity and that you will be abundantly blessed by it.

I love you, Babe. I love you so very deeply, and I'm so grateful that you were placed in my care for this time. I pray that together we grow more deeply in love with God. Happy Birthday, my little Sweetness!

A Note From Mom: NINE YEARS of Judah!

Nine years. That doesn't seem right, and yet it doesn't seem long enough. I still want to just kiss that little face over and over... even though you'd act like you don't like it, but I know that you actually love it.

You have had a tender heart from the beginning; a heart that seeks justice and speaks up and acts for what is right. I pray that you will continue to grow in integrity and humility, and that God will use these sweet gifts to create an unwavering boldness and courage deep in your heart.

You are funny and smart and so creative. Your mind is unbelievable, and your imagination is incredible. I fully believe that God is piecing all these things together so that you can build up His Kingdom in magnificent ways. And I know you will.

I pray each day that you will seek out Wisdom; that you will clothe yourself with Compassion and Grace, and arm yourself with Truth and Righteousness, covering it all with Humility. May the eyes of your heart be open to see people the way that God sees them, and may you always be ready to love them however God calls you to love them. I pray that when you hear that gentle whisper calling out to you, you will always have ears to hear and a heart that immediately trusts and obeys.

You are my favorite little boy and I thank God for you! You are truly a gift that I don't deserve. I love you, Buddy! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

A Note From Mom: Lucy is TWELVE!

Our first little miracle. After having two pregnancies end in miscarriage, it was hard not to be fearful when I found out I was pregnant again. But that first appointment, hearing your STRONG heartbeat put all those fears to rest. You have brought light into my life from the moment I knew of you.

You are so knowledgeable and bright. Your intelligence and memory is bewildering at times. I know that God created you for grand purpose. I pray that you wake up every day and put on that little cloak of humility and go forth in what He has called you to be. 

Your eyes are being opened to the world around you, and it's beautiful to see you walk in maturity and grace; yet still appreciate childhood so much and so well. You are playful and adventurous and so fun to be around. You're going to be the best old lady. 

Life with you is very sweet. It always has been. Twelve years has gone so quickly. I've loved every single minute of it. I thank God for sending you when He did, and for every day He gives us together. You were exactly what your Dad and I needed.

You love a reason to celebrate, and I love that so much about you. I pray that you have a heart that always celebrates... even in the smallest things, I pray that you always find a reason to celebrate this life God has given you. 

The creativity that resides in you is awe inspiring. God has given you an incredible mind that is able to see and design and create all kinds of beauty. I pray that God continues to give you the ability to always find the beauty in everything.

You are so breathtaking, Babe. I catch my breath at times when I look over at you expecting to see my little roly-poly baby and there's a little woman in her place. I have loved walking beside you through life, having you always by my side, my first little bf.

You stand so firmly in truth and wisdom, seeking them out daily. I'm so encouraged by your faithfulness to get up every day and feed your soul. My soul is fed as well. You are an incredible example to us all. I'm so thankful that Elly and Ruby have you to learn from. You love them well, and the love between you all is such an incredible, fascinating gift to me. I know that being the oldest can sometimes be very heavy, and I pray that God continues to strengthen you and refine you through it. You really are such an incredible kid.

I love your heart, Babe. I love your smile and your laugh. I love the way you get startled so easily, and how you know the meanings of all kinds of crazy words. You are such a gift; one that I will always cherish and adore. Happy Birthday TWELVE YEAR OLD!!