to celebrate a baby

With my baby girl's birthday arriving so soon after Cooper's big train party, I knew that I wanted to do something just as special- yet categorically different- for Annabelle. Since there is always potential for her to be overshadowed by her vivacious brother, we decided to have a mommy-baby breakfast party. My dear friends here in Greensboro came, either by themselves or with an under-2 year old little one, and it was a sweet, sweet time. Annabelle loved the attention, loved drooling and sticking out her tongue (teething, much?), and LOVED the coffee cake "cupcakes".

My heart's desire has always been that Annabelle would feel treasured by the Lord and by us. In thinking about that, I asked the girls to write a short note to Annabelle: a prayer, a blessing, Scripture, a word of wisdom; whatever they wanted. As you look at the precious pictures of the party, read their life-giving words to my one year old little girl...

We are so thankful for your life and your sweet spirit! You are always so happy and full of joy- we pray that you always find that in life.

Annabelle, we pray that you will praise our Father all the days of your life. May you come to know Him. May you be able to speak of His wonders because you know His goodness.

May you know Zephaniah 3:17 to be true of your life: The Lord your God is with you, Annabelle. He is mighty to save you, Annabelle. He will take great delight in you, Annabelle. He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing.

You are so full of joy. Your face lights up with it. Our prayer for you is that you will continue to be filled with His joy and brighten the world with it! We pray that you will hear Him sings songs over you all of your days.

We pray as you get older that you grow to love the Lord with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength!

"...and I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love, which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." 

~ Ephesians 3:17-19  Bless you, Annabelle. May you know, deep in your soul, that you are Christ's beloved. 

My prayer is that you not take Annabelle out of the world, but that you protect her from the evil one... sanctify her by the truth; your word is the truth. ~John 17:15, 17 (paraphrased)

Precious Annabelle... "The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace, love, joy, hope, and a good night's rest, and someday a godly husband."

My heart is full as I think about these sweet women and the families that they represent... and how they love and will continue to love my baby girl.