Letter to My Birthday Girl: 13 Years Old

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My sweet Lil,

    THIRTEEN! How can it be?! How can you already be a teenager? I feel like I was in denial about your becoming a teenager for so long. You have always been my baby girl and I don't want you to grow up! I vividly remember the first time I held you. It took a while for them to stitch me up after the c-section, and I remember having the most overwhelming feeling of joy...the most peaceful, satisfying feeling, when they placed you into the crook of my arms. You were like the missing puzzle piece of my heart. The first time I held you, in that moment, all was right in the world. And I still feel that way when you're with me...like all is right in the world...because you make everything better. You make me better.

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We did a flamingo-themed, pink, pool party for your 13th birthday and it was beyond adorable! There were so many girls...and music...and the cutest cake...and flamingo macarons...and pink sparkly beach balls in the pool...it was just perfect!

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Then Nana took you on a girls' trip to Dallas with Bella and her grandmother, Malinda. You all had the best time and took the cutest "Instagram pics."

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You got social media this year...SnapChat and Insta...which I love and I hate. I love that you can see what I post...my opinions about things, heath info I post, and other things, however, I hate that you're in the social media world now and have to see everyone's "highlight reels." You're wise beyond your years and mature for your age, and I honestly think you handle it well. You are not obsessed with it. You see it for what it is. And you don't compare yourself to others. I love how you are so confident in your own skin and you love what you love, no matter what anyone else thinks. 

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You have a heart of gold and you're kind to others. You are extremely capable and responsible. You seek out the lost and the lonely, and you show compassion. You're sweet and sassy...reserve, but fierce. 

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I took you, Reid, and CJ to the BOK Center in Tulsa to see Zach Bryan. You all snuck down into the pit, and you hung out with Sophia all night and said it was the best night of your life! 

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LILLIANN LOVES:

-fancy food

-anything themed

-pink

-Lululemon

-buying gifts

-shopping

-Target

-Starbucks

-hosting parties

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Bible verse for your 13th year:

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

Matthew 5:16

My prayer for you is that you never dim your light for others. You shine BRIGHT because you are reflecting His light...the light of the Lord. Don't be afraid to show your true light, because that is how Jesus gets out into the world. 

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LilliAnn, you're easy to love and the sweetest daughter. You're my dream girl and I don't deserve you. The light of the Lord shines big through you and I pray he uses you for great things for you are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are God's masterpiece. You are beloved. You are the daughter of the King. And you are my darling. Happy 13th Birthday!

-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 Girl: 10 Years Old

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My precious, darling Lil,

I can’t believe you’re really 10 years old! And oh, what a joy it has been to be your mom for the past ten years. I call you my dream girl because that’s exactly what you are...a dream come true. Not only are you beautiful on the outside, but you truly do have a heart of gold. You love to serve others, and you’re always making crafts or gifts for other people, buying presents for your friends or family, or thinking of ways to make someone feel special. You’re an over-achiever and you excel at everything you do. I never have to worry about your getting your homework done or have to help you much with your school projects because you always take care of business! You make straight As and are in the gifted and talented program. You adore writing, and are always leaving little notes for me around the house or writing in a notebook or journal. I hope you always a have a love for writing...your great-grandmother McKenzie loved to write and journal and you remind me so much of her. 

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Papa Kelbo gave me this pink ice ring on my 10th birthday and I passed it on to you on your 10th birthday. I knew it would be something special that you could pass down to your little girl one day. 

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We had to celebrate your birthday in quarantine since the coronavirus pandemic started around March. All of the restaurants were closed, and we had been staying out at the lake so we had a little family birthday party for you out there. I cooked your favorite meal - steak, double baked potatoes, and bacon wrapped brown sugar green beans, and Aunt Glenda made you the sweetest and most adorable number 10 cake and some chocolate covered cream stuffed strawberries! Uncle Kass came and ate dinner with us, and Aunt Lacee, Jett, and Josslynn brought you a DIY “planting” pot with gardening tools and a few flowers. It was a special day, and even though we didn’t have a big party, it was really neat to get to spend special time together as a family. 

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You are a girly girl, and your activities currently include dance, tumbling, and piano, with dance being your favorite activity by far! You did your very first solo this year - a jazz dance to “Fierce” - and of course, you did absolutely amazing! You even got the judges choice “Technique Award” at one of the competitions. You work really hard at dance, and it makes me so happy to watch you do something that you love so much! 

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You’ve been a big sister for a few months, and you’re the best big sister Liv could ever have. You are a natural caretaker and you’ve been so good with her. You change her diaper, play with her, tote her around the house, and keep her busy while I sleep in or while I’m cooking or cleaning. I can always count on you to help me pick out her outfits or pack the diaper bag! You two have the sweetest bond, and I know that you’ll always be the best of friends. I’m so thankful that you have each other. 

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LilliAnn loves:

-dance

-her iPhone

-writing

-doing crafts

-Starbucks

-her hydro flask

-shopping

-scrunchies 

-manis and pedis

-driving the golf cart

-hanging out with her Nana Karen

-Hobby Lobby

-Target

-bagels with cream cheese

-honey

-smoothies 

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LilliAnn, you truly are everything I ever wanted and everything I never knew I wanted in a daughter. You’re kind, determined, competent, responsible, intelligent, capable, talented, creative, and compassionate. You have a heart for the Lord, and the way you love others shines his light so big. I pray that you always look up with your face towards Jesus, because in this crazy life, he is only the way. He is faithful, he is your refuge, and he will always give you strength. I love everything about you, and I am so thankful for your life! 

This is the verse I am choosing for you as you begin your next decade. 

“Therefore, my fellow believers, whom I love and long for, my delight and crown [my wreath of victory], in this way STAND FIRM in the Lord, my beloved.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:1‬

I love you always and forever,

Mom 

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Letter to My Birthday Girl: 9 Years Old

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Sweet Lil, 

I’m behind on these letters, so I’m leaving you these 9 year old pictures so I can start working on your 10 year old letter. 

You are my dream girl. 

Love, Mom

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You love SnapChat filters!

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This is our thing...we try to take a cute pic together at National Parks!