My Lovely Little Livi

In honor of Olivia's 6th birthday, this post  was made especially for her. I love you, my sweet angel!

Olivia Grace was born on March 7th, 2008 at 8:50am. She weighed 7 lbs 1 oz and was 20 inches long.

I remember that day just like it was yesterday. I labored all night and was utterly exhausted by the time morning came but it was all worth it! As soon as I heard that big cry of hers, I knew she was going to be our little firecracker. When the nurse laid her on my chest and I gazed into those big blue eyes, I was hooked. 

She completely captured my heart. ❤️ Each one of our children has something so unique and incredibly special about them. Livi has always been an energetic, bubbly, funny, animated, vivacious, high-spirited, little girl. She tells the best stories you've ever heard and brings her stories to life with her eyes and hilarious facial expressions. 

She's always singing! There is not a day that goes by that she isn't making up her own song! Life is a musical with Livi. I love it! (Although, I must admit, that there are times that we say..."Livi, just stop singing for a little while...!") 

This girl can light up a room with her beautiful smile and infectious personality. 

I know God has huge plans for her! I can't wait to see what is in store. 

I pray that she always knows how special she is. I pray that she ALWAYS lets her light shine as bright as the sun. I pray that she understands that she can do all things through Christ who gives her strength! I pray that she never forgets that she is fearfully and wonderfully made and to let Jesus guide her every step!

We just love her to pieces and can't imagine life without our lovely, little, Livi! 

Happy 6th Birthday, angel face! 

P.S. I can't believe you are SIX!! 

A Beautiful Broken Heart

Sometimes this mom thing is just plain hard. It's hard when your 2 year old just won't get the potty training down. It's hard when your 5 year old has a complete drama filled break down when you ask her to put on clothes that at least half-way match. It's hard when your 9 year old gives you the attitude of a 16 year old when you tell her to turn the tv off and go to bed. But, perhaps the hardest thing of all is when someone hurts your child's heart. I mean, deeply hurts their heart. How do you respond when your child is broken? 

I had an experience with this recently, and I know this won't be the last. My firstborn has never had an issue with just jumping in and making friends. She's VERY social. She loves friends! She is one who would never intentionally hurt someone's feelings. (Well, unless it's her little sister....we're working on that. ��) She'll play with anyone. Boy or girl? It doesn't matter. But on this particular day, I found myself nudging her to go play. It seemed like I was constantly telling her to just jump in there. This is the same child who at 3 exchanged phone numbers with a little boy she had met at the McDonalds playground. (Daddy didn't like that one) She just easily makes friends.

"Tell them you want to play too," I said.

"Mom, they don't want me to play. They told me to leave," she said.

So, what happens when they don't want her to play? 

I finally opened my eyes and sure enough...I saw. They were avoiding her. Almost running from her when she came their direction. For some reason, they didn't want to include my beautiful, bright-eyed, little girl.

Tears swelled up in her big blue eyes and before I knew it, crocodile tears were streaming down her face. Guess what?...It took everything inside of me not to cry right there with her. Right there in front of everyone. It took ALL that I had within me to not go to them and explain how fun she is. I wanted them to know how wonderful my little girl really is and how they are missing out. Honestly, I wanted to be just as mean to them as they were to her! It was then that I realized, I am the adult here.

It was then that I asked God..."Help me here. What do I tell her? How do I mend her broken heart?"

This is what God laid on my heart to share with my baby... "Julia, you know...your heart hurts so bad, doesn't it? It almost feels like your heart is broken. In this life people, friends, and sometimes family will let you down. It's going to happen. Most of the time it's not on purpose. Thankfully we have a friend and Father who will NEVER let us down. Never ever. Do you know who I am talking about? Jesus. He wants you to jump in His arms and let Him hold you and fix your broken heart. You know, you can pray and ask Him for help anytime you need it. He'll comfort you when you are sad and even hold your hand when you are scared. Lean on Him. He will always be there. Also, now that you know what it feels like to have a broken heart, let's always remember that feeling so that you can remember to never make anyone feel lonely or sad. If you see someone who might be feeling that way, make sure and welcome them when you are playing. 

Kids will be kids. I get it. I think it is so important to take the opportunity to find the lesson in every situation, even the pain. I think it is so important to make sure our children understand how to treat others. Finally, I think it is so important to teach them to show the love of Christ to everyone. ❤️

Psalm 34:18
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.