Letter to My Birthday Girl: 15 Years Old

Happy 15th Birthday to our darling, LilliAnn McKenzie! 💕

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I don't even know where to start with this honey girl. She's kept me on track her entire life, and continues to do so. I never have to worry about LilliAnn because I know she has everything together and takes care of business. She's my girly girl who loves shopping, hosting, getting dressed up, socializing, planning parties, and all things pink! She's kind, drama-free, and brings out the best in others. 

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And as an enneagram 2 with a servant's heart, she always finds little ways to make others feel special. I love her humility, her giggle, how tough she is when she wrestles her brothers, and her confidence in who God created her to be. 

Our personalities could not be more different, but as she's getting older, I'm seeing glimpses of my favorite parts of myself in her and it makes me smile. And in a way, I feel like she's the one who's mothered me into a better person. She's truly a gift. 

And I completely adore her.  ✨🍯

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Letter to My Birthday Girl: 14 Years Old

She's 14 today!!! ✨✨✨

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I told her birth story to her on the way to dance competition early this morning as we were drinking our Starbucks together. And I started bawling. I told her when they put her in my arms the very first time, my soul took a deep breath. I had never felt a feeling of contentment like that before and I felt as if life was complete. For that moment, I looked down at her and all was right in the world. I still feel that way about her. Every time she's with me, I feel like all is right in the world. 

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She has made me a better person and a better mother. She brings out the best in people...her kindness and her quiet, gentle spirit permeate the room. She loves Jesus and lives out His word by the way she serves and treats others. She's an old soul, wise beyond her years. Sometimes I feel like she's the one mothering me. I can trust her. And I can count on her. She knows when to kick it in and she knows when to let loose a little. And I absolutely adore her. 

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Her teen years are flying by...and I'm praising Jesus today that I'm alive to celebrate her birthday. I literally don't know what to do with all the gratitude I have for the Lord for giving me more years to watch my children grow up. I listened to this song right after she was born, before I even knew who she was going to be. And now, 14 years later, they perfectly sum up how I feel about her. 

But the truth is plain to see

She was sent to rescue me

I see who I want to be

In my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes

Everyone is equal

Darkness turns to light

And the world is at peace

This miracle God gave to me

Gives me strength when I am weak

I find reason to believe

In my daughter's eyes

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Happy 14th, LilliAnn McKenzie. You are a rare treasure and the light of my life. ✨

Letter to My Birthday Baby Girl: 5 Years Old

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Our baby is FIVE today!! ✋🏻✨💖 And it literally has felt like this happened in the blink of an eye! My mom told me one time that I was going to keep having kids until I had one just like me...and that's exactly what happened. 

This darling girl is my little blonde-haired, blue-eyed mini and I just adore her! She's stubborn and sassy, sweet and spunky, and she gets excited for all the things! 

To be honest, I'm really struggling with her growing up because I want to keep her little forever. Her life has been surrounded by some really hard seasons for our family, and she has brought us so much joy when we needed it most. I was breastfeeding her when I found my cancer, and I'll never stop praising the Lord for this baby who saved my life. 

Happy Birthday, Livi Mae...our cherry on top! 🍒

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