A Very Merry Unbirthday to You...

With each birthday, I am reminded of how quickly time is passing, how grateful I am to be a mother and what a privilege each day is with our children. Today as we celebrate Anna's second "unbirthday" (oh, the oddities of only having an actual date to celebrate every four years!) I marvel at God's gracious gift of our Anna Kathleen.

Anna, we cannot help but smile when we see you or even picture you in our heads. Your unruly blond curls, mischievous grin, and perfectly timed "hello" or "goodbye" brighten our days. We cherish your tender heart, sensitive to discipline yet oh so very stubborn at times, and love that as you grow, we get to see more and more of who God has created you to be. We pray that as you continue to grow, you will have wisdom in how you follow and discernment and boldness as you learn to lead as well.

While we purposed to name you Anna Kathleen, and pray that you will be gracious and pure as your name is defined, we pray also that you will follow in the footsteps of the wise women we love and cherish who also bear your name. May you follow them by always finding your place in this world on your knees, before the feet our Savior. May His word be written on your heart and may He grant you the grace and discernment to know how to wield the great sword, in conviction and in comfort. Like those dear women, may you love deeply and with such compassion that He is evident in all that you say and do. We pray that you will treasure our Savior above all else.

Anna, you have captured our hearts, increased our joy, and taught us even more about our gracious God. And just as we pray for your sweet older sister, we want you to know our little one, that you are a gift and even your name tells so much of who you are and most of all who God is. Anna, God is gracious and more so, He extends His Grace, His unearned, undeserved favor and kindness upon us. And your presence, reminds us of His continual presence and the Grace and mercy He gives to His children.

We pray in the years to come that as we love you, we will teach you what is most important and that the way we love you will bend your heart toward Love Himself. As you continue to learn and grow, we not only treasure the things that we encounter about who you are created to be, but we treasure the things that you teach us about our Maker. For He formed your inward parts; knit you together in my womb. We praise Him, for you are fearfully and wonderfully made.

How wonderful are His works, Anna, and we pray that your soul will know it very well.

Happy Birthday dear one. We love you.