A Note From Mom: Judah is ONE DECADE!

You came into our lives and completely changed us all. We were all in love with you instantly.

You were pretty serious from the beginning. 

And pretty laid back. 10 years later, you still are.

My favorite little boy. You always will be. You're such a gift to me, and I'm just so thankful for you. You love me so well, and have been a healing presence in my life from the moment I knew of you.

You've always loved to build, construct, take things apart and put them back together. I pray God uses these skills that have been with you since you were very young to bring glory and honor to Him in so many, many ways. I pray that you continue building, taking things apart and putting them back together better than you found them... including people. You've never shied away from talking to people... unless you just didn't want to (which we're working on right now. HAHA!), and I hope that God uses that courage and boldness to speak into the lives of many.

I'm so proud of you, Judah. I'm intrigued by the way your mind works. You think of amazing things, and I look forward to the way God is going to use your crazy imagination. You are bold and courageous and will stand up and fight for what you think is right. I pray the Lord always guides you as you fight, and you will always have the ears to hear His gentle voice calling out to you. I pray that you see others the way He sees them, and love them the way He loves them. You are such a special person and I'm so thankful that God allowed me the opportunity to be your mom. 

I love you so much, Buddy! Happy ONE DECADE!!!

 

A Note From Mom: THIRTEEN YEARS of Little Lucy!

 

Thirteen years ago, I was 41 weeks pregnant and you weren't showing any signs of coming out. The doctor decided to induce me and I was there all day working on getting you out, and by the end of the day, I was exhausted. They gave me an epidural; your heart rate was in question, so they rushed me to the OR and did an emergency c-section. I was so medicated I couldn't even hold you, but they laid you on me and I remember being so, so happy. You were perfect in every way... and you still are.

You take great selfies when you're actually supposed to be taking pictures of me. HAHA!

You are adventurous in every way, and I thank God for that quality in you. I hope you never lose it and I hope God uses it to bless you over and over again.

You are so incredibly smart, and your heart already has so much wisdom. I'm amazed by you. I'm so amazed at what God has created in you and I love seeing you mature and become the sophisticated little lady that you think you ought to be. I'm so proud of the standards you have set for yourself, and I pray God uses that wisdom to protect you as you grow.

You are so beautiful. Your smile is contagious and your little laugh is perfection. I used to just stare at your cute little face because I just couldn't believe that you were mine, and I still can't believe that God gifted me with such an incredible daughter.

I deeply love you. I'm so thankful that God brought you into my life and that we get to walk through life together. You will always be one of my best friends.

You are truly an incredible person, Babe. I'm just so proud of you... I can't say it enough.

Happy THIRTEENTH Birthday, little girl!

You are so deeply loved.

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!!