Letter to My Birthday Boy: 14 Years Old

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Happy 14th Birthday, Reid! You are growing up way too fast on me! You are officially taller than me and passed me up in shoe size a couple of years ago. You're turning into such a handsome young man right before my very eyes and it's so bittersweet. I love how loyal you are to the ones you love and the way you grab your fishing pole and head to the pond on any nice day.

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I love how you take care of Rush and always lets him tag along with the "big boys." I love the way you get excited about a new pair of sneakers or a pack or basketball cards. And I adore your determination and perseverance when you set your mind to something you want to achieve. I love your resolve and decisiveness, both of which will serve you well as an adult one day. And I love how you won't back down from something you think is right and how you fight for justice and fairness. 

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But most of all, I love your heart for the Lord. Please know that there is nothing that will ever  be more important that growing in the Lord and learning about His character. Prioritize spending time with him and studying his Word, and you will always be blessed.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

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As a mother, it's super hard to sometimes watch your children get bigger and not need you as much, but watching you grow, change, learn, and mature is a gift that I will savor and never take for granted. Thank you, Jesus, for my Reid Jackson.

Always, Mom

Letter to My Birthday Girl: 11 Year Old

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LilliAnn, my precious honey girl, how are you 11?! You're about to start middle school and just tried out for middle school cheerleader. You're loving competition dance and tumbling classes. You've been an absolute joy since the day you were born! You're my kind-hearted, self-motivated, determined, responsible, caring, gift-giving, servant-hearted, goal-setting, list making, challenge loving, straight-A making, running, cheering, tumbling, dancing girl... and I love you so much! You're what dreams are made of!

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I feel like I do not deserve to be the mother of your precious soul, but I am so incredible thankful that God entrusted you to me because I get to see Jesus through the way you love and serve others daily. 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

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You truly are my heart and my soul, and I love you oh so very much.

Always, Mom

Letter to My Birthday Girl: 12 Years Old

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On this day, twelve years ago, the Lord blessed us with our first precious daughter. LillAnn McKenzie, your servant heart and quiet spirit are treasures to us and all those who know you. I adore your organizational skills, your drive and determination, the way you rise to a challenge, your ,love for parties and celebrations, and how you help us keep it all together. 

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But most of all, I adore the way you love Jesus and others. You are a true gift and a true light to the world

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven”

Matthew 5:16

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Happy Birthday, sweet Lil. You are a joy and I love you so very much.

Always, Mom 

Letter to My Birthday Baby Girl: 2 Years Old

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My Darling Liv,

    There has always been a place for you in my heart and in our family. I dreamed of you, yearned for you, and prayed for you, and the Lord blessed me with the most precious baby girl to complete our family. You You are our "cherry on top!" You have the cutest personality and you get the attention of everyone in the room wherever we go. Your big blue eyes, beautiful blonde hair, precious round face, and vibrant personality captures the heart of all those who meet you. You are sweet and sassy, but you are also fierce and headstrong and stubborn and determined ... and you shine BIG. And even though you're still not speaking in full sentences, you've been able to communicate what you wanted since the moment I first held you in my arms. You LOVE babies and baby dolls, so we had a "Baby Doll Brunch" for your 2nd birthday. You wore the cutest pink swiss dot outfit that was smocked with "Happy Birthday," and we had donuts, and Chick-Fil-A, and mini baby bottles filled with milk. The whole family and all of your babies were there, and we had so much fun! 

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I love dressing you in traditional smocked dresses and girly bubbles, and I'm savoring every moment of you being my baby. You are still nursing, and you still sleep in the middle of us. You love reading your book about farm animals and playing with the pink kitchen in your playroom that used to be your sister's. You always have a baby doll or a baby in a stroller, and you love singing to your babies...especially "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." I've been worried about your speech, as your siblings were already talking in full sentences at your age, but the speech therapist evaluated you and said you are "just fine"... that you're the baby of the family who doesn't have to talk because someone is always anticipating your needs... so true! You know what every thing, but you just have a little trouble with saying certain letters and enunciating certain sounds. Your new favorite songs are "Baby Shark" and "Mommy Finger," and it's so cute when you sing them!

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You were fascinated by Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny this year, and wanted to see them all the time, but you just didn't want to sit in their laps! You loved Halloween, Mr. Bones (our skeleton we put on the porch in October) and "scary things" - and you love when the boys scare you or when you get to play hide-and-seek. You're a little mess maker deluxe, and you can make messes around the house faster than I can clean them up! Most of the time they consist of nail polish or make-up, as your favorite thing in the entire world is LIPSTICK! Going in Ulta is like heaven for you, and when we go in Dillard's I have to let you sit up on the make-up counter and try on a few samples!

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Liv Loves:

-golf cart rides with the big kids

-playing with our neighbor, Cece

-"kitty tats"

--all animals and puppies, especially farm animals

-playing with your pink kitchen

-playing hide-and-seek

-babies and baby dolls

-tomatoes

-ice cream

-swimming (or "float" as you say!), especially hot tubs 

-taking baths (or "ot tub" as you call it)

-mommy's milk ("Milk now please!)

-making messes in La La's (Wa Wa's) room

-dance class with Miss Darana

-watching Diana and Roma ("Di Di") on YouTube

-eggs and bacon

-spinach artichoke dip from Paul's Place

-candy!

-drawing ("waw")

-playing with your baby doll playdough set

-dresses and shoes ("so coot" - cute)

-standing up on/walking around the big kitchen island

-playing music and dancing to Alexa

-being outside

-jumping on the trampoline

-lipstick, make-up, and nail polish ("I do it!)

-being with your Nana Karen ("Nana house!)

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My verse for you this year is Psalm 121:7-8

The Lord will keep you from all harm—

    he will watch over your life;

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the Lord will watch over your coming and going

 both now and forevermore.

Your name means "shelter" or "protection" in Old Norse, and the Lord has protected you and been your shelter since the day you were born and you had to go to the NICU. One morning, I was backing out of the garage and you got out the side door. You hadn't turned two yet, and there's no way I could have heard your little voice, but I heard you very loudly...almost as if you were talking in my ear or like you were in the back seat. I almost put the car in drive and pulled out to work, but something made me put it in park. Your little voice continued to talk and so I turned about and asked myself if you had gotten in the car and were hiding. I kept hearing you talk, but you were no where in the car. I got out and there you stood...silent and standing right in front of my car where I couldn't even see you. The Lord was your shelter from harm that day. And there have been several other incidents where the Lord has protected you and made a shelter over you. 

My prayer is that He will ALWAYS be your refuge and shelter, and that He will continue to protect you from harm all the days of your life.

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I love your so much, Livi Mae, and I truly cannot imagine our family without you. You are full of energy, full of life, and full of determination..but guess what? So is your mama. You give me a run for my money, and I think I've finally found my match. You love pulling hair and sometimes biting, which makes for a very difficult time getting you in your car seat. You know what you want, and you know how to get it...a girl after your mama's own heart. You can definitely hold your own around our crazy Ruckus, and we are all just crazy about the baby!

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I love you forever and always, my Liv -

Mommy

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Letter to My Birthday Boy: 13 Years Old

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Reid - my firstborn son and now my TEENAGER,

    You came into this world 13 years ago fast, intense, and upside down. You kicked really hard with your little breech legs and broke my water a full month early! And you've been rocking my world ever since! You are driven, competitive, athletic, intelligent, decisive, and hard-working, but my favorite thing about you is your empathy. You feel deeply for others are are quick to identify needs. I see Jesus in the way you help and befriend others, especially those who are really struggling. I absolutely love that about you.

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You love to play sports and XBOX, and you're always up for a challenge, but your favorite thing in the world is spending time outdoors and fishing. Most of your spring and summers are spent near the water looking for lunkers.

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My prayer for you as you enter this new stage of life as a young man is that you continue to learn more about God and grow in faith and wisdom, so that you will not only become a great fisherman, but a great fisher of men.

And He said unto them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 

Matthew 4:19

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I love you so much, Reid Jackson, and I hope your 13th birthday is the best one yet! 

Always and forever - Mom