A Note From Mom: THIRTEEN YEARS of ELLY

Thinking through the last thirteen years with you, Babe, just makes me really happy. 

You were the cutest little naughty baby... with your round little body and your twinkly blue eyes that always clued me in to the mischief you were up to. You still have that twinkle. I can always tell when you're up to something, but it's more than mischief these days. Your eyes seem to twinkle most when you're at your happiest... working hard on a project, playing with babies or puppies, any time you get an opportunity to play basketball. I love seeing God's light shimmer through you.

I pray that this next year offers you so many opportunities to deepen your trust in your Father, your Savior, your Friend. I pray that you grow bolder and more courageous in your faith and that the seeds of truth that have taken root in your heart begin to sprout and bloom into a beautiful harvest.

I love you, Babe! Happy 13th Birthday!!

A Note From Mom: Judah is ELEVEN

 Buddy, you're so very special to me. I hope you always know that and believe it. You are a gift to me that is undeserved and I treasure everything about you.

I pray that through this next year, God will mold and refine your strength and your courage. You have a heart for truth and justice and I know that God will be faithful in surrounding you as you grow and mature. He will arm you, protect you and guard you. He will shelter you and fight for you. I pray that through it all, your trust in God deepens and tethers you to his heart.

Happy Birthday, Buddy! I love you so, SO much.

A Note From Mom: Lucy is FOURTEEN!!!!

 Babe, you are growing and maturing into the most beautiful little woman. My first little woman... my first little BFF. I'm overwhelmed thinking of the incredible gift you are to me. I pray this next year draws you closer to God in ways that you can't even fathom right now. I pray that you continue to grow in wisdom and discernment; that God grants you understanding and clarity in big things and in small things. I pray that you wholly put your trust in Him, and that you bask in the depths of His love for you.

Happy Birthday, little Lucy! I love you more than you love crab rangoon.

A Note From Mom: RUBY IS EIGHT!

 

My little baby is eight. I don't know what I'd do without you, Babe. You bring joy and life and a mess wherever you go, and I'm so grateful to get to be there for it. I thank God every day that He allowed me to walk alongside you as your mom. You are so precious to me.

I love you, little Red Panda! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

A Note From Mom: ELLY is TWELVE!

 

My little Sweetness. You are still just as sweet as the day I first referred to you as this, and you are becoming just as mischievous as that little Round Baby was! When those eyes start to twinkle and those dimples pop up, I know you're up to something good. I hope your eyes always twinkle and those dimples always show up when you're up to something good... and I hope you're always up to something good.

I find these beautiful pics on my phone all the time. I hope you always smile when you see yourself, and I hope you always see and feel the reflection of your heavenly Father. You are created in His image and called good. I pray that as our enemy seeks to twist and distort what God has called good, you will partner with God in every opportunity to reclaim that goodness! 

You equally love babies and adventure... a girl after my own heart for sure! Though your spirit is much more adventurous than mine and I'm sure will lead you to all kinds of thrills in life! I pray that your love for the smallest and most vulnerable and the adventures that you seek will deepen and widen your heart in ways that you can't even fathom right now.

Another way that we're alike is that if there's a way to get hurt, we'll find it. I pray that the hurts that come along the way will never sow seeds of fear in your heart, but that you will allow wisdom and discernment to lead you and guide you, and that you will rest and even bask in God's sovereignty over your life.

My beautiful girl... this is your last year of childhood, and I pray that God uses this next year to draw you closer and closer to Him. You daily pray to be wrapped in the armor of God, cloaked in humility, and to be given the power to exercise the fruits of the Spirit - I pray that with you. May you always feel the protection of His salvation and righteousness guarding your mind and heart; may you feel His faithfulness surrounding you; may you be held together firmly in His truth; and may your feet have the readiness to walk anywhere knowing you walk in God's peace. May you daily be clothed in humility and compassion for yourself and for others, and may the fruits that nourish you be poured out in nourishment for others. I love you, Babe. HAPPY 12TH BIRTHDAY!