Dec
02
My oldest turns NINE today. I distinctly remember being nine, and I’m not sure how in the WORLD I have a nine-year-old. But I checked her birth certificate against today’s date and sure enough, December 2, 2000 to December 2, 2009 equals nine whole years. Yowzers. Seems like just yesterday my water broke three weeks before my due date…
Livi’s middle name is Joy, and sure enough, she brings untold joy to our little fam. She reminds me much, much of me (which is both delightful and terrifying) but certainly isn’t a carbon copy of her mama. Lots of her daddy in there too.
She brought home a little paper from school today that made me smile. The teacher gave them some famous quotes about “being thankful” with some words missing and they had to fill in the blanks. (Livi’s writing is in bold, and the actual quote is in parentheses.)
And goodness knows, even though we’re only a few days removed from Thanksgiving Day, I could sure use a reminder to be thankful.
Being Thankful
Blessed are those that can give without remembering and receive without greediness. (forgetting) –Anonymous
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to love others. (live by them) –JFK
A family is the greatest blessing a man can enjoy in this world. (contented mind) –Joseph Addison
Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the most awesome. (parent of all the others) –Cicero
Nothing is more honorable than having a family. (a grateful heart) –Seneca
Be Thankful (A Poem)
Be thankful that you don’t have everything you desire. If you did, would you be spoiled? (what would there be to look forward to)
Be thankful when you don’t know something, for it will be a lesson. (gives you the opportunity to learn)
Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you should ask for help. (grow)
Be thankful for your limitations because they give you advantages. (opportunities for improvement)
Be thankful for each new challenge because it could help you in your future. (will build your strength and character)
Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you later on. (teach you valuable lessons)
Be thankful when you’re tired and weary because you could need rest. (it means you’ve made a difference)
It’s easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are nice to you. (also thankful for the setbacks)
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful for school bullys (your troubles) and they can become your friends (blessings).
Livi picked Chili’s for her birthday dinner, so we’ll head there pretty much right after they get home from school to beat the crowds. Then back home for presents and singing and Strawberry Stuff (yum!).
Happy Birthday, beautiful Livi! We love you!
If you want to leave a birthday greeting for Livi in the comments, I’ll print them all out and give them to her with her gifts.
Happy 9th Birthday my precious Livi Joy! I love you more than you will ever know. I’ll never forget seeing you and holding you in the hospital the day you were born. I knew you were something special even then. I’m so proud to know you and be your aunt! You are so sensitive to others and beautiful and talented and all sorts of other wonderful things. I’ll always remember my first Christmas after moving away from home when it was time to leave and say goodbye to everyone – I was trying not to cry and you came across the room and wrapped your arms around me and hugged me for such a long time. It was as if you knew exactly how I was feeling and you wanted to make it all better. It meant the world to me in a way I can’t explain. You are such a precious girl and I can’t wait to see the woman God will form you to be in the future! I love you Livi!
My daughter Emily will turn 9 on December 28. She was to be Olivia until my brother named his daughter that. She sends Happy Birthday to Liv and says “Mom, her eyes are so cute! She looks like a nice kid.” My sentiments as well. Enjoy your memories today.
I love you my sweet Livi Joy! You are such a beautiful, tender-hearted, smart, precious young lady and I’m so proud to be your aunt! Thank you for loving Isabelle! I prayed for you this morning as I was writing in my prayer journal and remembered that I started keeping a prayer journal when I was 9 years old! May God bless your special day and may you continue to follow God, get to know Him more, and share the hope of Christ with everyone you come in contact with!
Happy Birthday Sweet LIVI!!! You are such an amazing young lady!! I love your fiery spirit! I still pray that Caroline is as kind, passionate and sweet as you and your sisters!
Happy Birthday Livi! May God bless you beyond measure today and always!
Happy 9th birthday, Livi Joy!:) I will never forget where I was when I got the call that you were ready to be born. Your mom will tell you sometime.:) What a joy and blessing you have been to all of us! I see the love of Jesus shining out through your life, Livi, and I see my many prayers for you being answered in a wonderful way! I have a special verse that I like to quote to your folks and your aunts and uncles when I see them walking with Jesus and living for Him. I’m going to change the wording just a little:) I don’t make a habit of doing that, but in this case, I think it’s ok.:) The verse is III John 4: “I have no greater joy than to see that my GRANDCHILDREN are walking in the truth.”:) Papaw and I love you so much, Livi!:) Happy Birthday!:)
Happy Birthday Livi! Love your name.
Enjoy your special day!
Happy 9th Birthday Livi!! You are such a lovely young lady with a very big heart.
Hope you enjoy your day!!
Val
Happy 9th Birthday Sweet Livi! Hope your day is just as special as you are.
Happy birthday, Livi! You are a beautiful young lady inside and out!
December birthdays ROCK!! Hope your day is fabulous! Enjoy your special meal at Chilis….Good choice!
Happy Birthday Beautiful!
In Ivy’s words “I like those girls! I like how they look!”
Livi, Hope you have a blessed birthday. We love you. The Webbs