Tag Archives: birthdays

Seven Is Golden

I love you. I mean, I love everything about you. I even love how you scare me a little before you open your mouth, and I have no idea what you are about to tell someone. I love your tenacity. I love how you are mesmerized with the oddest of things. Like mummies. And earthquakes. And the Rosetta Stone. And chess. And cooking.

Of course, I think cooking is odd.

I love how you adore your father. How he can do no wrong ever. I love how you look up to John Henry and melt when he wants to play a game with you. I love how you say, “Jett is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” I love how you want a “Girls’ Day” with me as often as you can get one.

I love your boldness.

I love how you love going to church. I love how you raise your hands and worship your Creator. I love how passionate you are about who God is in your life.
And, I love how you aren’t afraid to ask the hardest questions about faith.

I love your sense of humor.

I love how we can laugh together so hard at the same thing. And, you catch my eye, and we connect on a different level. You know. Like a friend level.

You are my best friend, Anna Takle.

And, you are my favorite lunch date.
It’s just hard to fathom that when I stare across the table now, I don’t see this anymore:

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I don’t see the little girl with bangs holding tightly to her doll named Jenny.
Instead, I see this:

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A beautiful, young lady growing into all that God has for her.
Happy 7th Birthday, Anna Marie.

You will always be my favorite girl.

6 Comments

Filed under Kid Stuff, Motherhood, Uncategorized

Interview With A Six Year Old.

It’s no secret Anna Takle just turned six.  It’s no secret, because there isn’t a living soul she has not told. 

One would have thought she was being interviewed for Chief Editor of Vogue magazine the way she approached her six-year doctor’s visit.  She alerted the nurse, “Hi.  I just turned six, and I am here for my check-up and flu pass.”  A “flu pass” is passing on the shot and opting for the “mist.”  Come on, people.  Who doesn’t know that?

And, the exchange between Anna and her pediatrician was not disappointing.

Pediatrician:  “What is your favorite subject in school?”

Anna:  “Well, I really enjoy working on my fine motor skills.”

Pediatrician:  “What fine motor skills do you enjoy?”

Anna:  “You know.  Writing, working with play dough, and other arts.”

Pediatrician:  “Do you eat healthy foods?”

Anna:  “Oh, yes.  Well, I do eat some candy, but I eat a LOT of fruit.”

Pediatrician:  “Do you eat any vegetables?”

Anna:  “I do love Big Mama’s vegetable soup.”

Pediatrician:  “Do you drink a lot of water?”

Anna:  “Oh, yes!  It’s the best for you!  I drink A LOT of water!”

We are still waiting to hear if Anna got the job.  So what if she really doesn’t drink “A LOT” of water.  She is certainly a motivated learner.  How do I know?  Because, she wants a card to the “puppet library.”

And, that is much better than the public library.

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Filed under Kid Stuff, Motherhood

Sweet November.

And, you are still the perfect shoulder to fall on.

Happy Birthday to my keep you laughing all the live long day husband and daughter.

Life without you two wouldn’t be nearly the fun.

I love you both.

6 Comments

Filed under Kid Stuff, life, Randomness

The Boy Who Made Me Mom.

Today is a big deal.  How in the world have eight years zipped by so swiftly?  One day you are wearing floaties and sticking your little tongue into the water while your sister contemplates her next antic in Annaville….

Then, the next day you are leaping off of a 25 foot drop into the Caribbean.

I’m pretty sure I only blinked once. 

John Henry Landreth, I thank God every single day that I get to be your mother. 

I love the young man you are and the one I see you becoming. 

I love how you still find comfort sleeping with your stuffed animals.

I love how you feel safe enough with me to tell me anything.

I love how you so quickly forgive others and so quickly let go of your hurts.

I love how broken you become when you see need and the urgency you feel to meet that need.

I love how you grasp what it means when I tell you to seek God. 

I love how you love your friends.

I love how you enjoy dessert with me.

I love how you request family night.

I love how you include your little sister.

I love how you entertain your little brother.

I love how you asked me to snuggle a little longer with you last night.  Because, it was the last night I would tuck in a seven year old boy named John Henry.

You are eight today.  I’m not sure how this day has come so quickly.  But, I am sure I have enjoyed every single day since September 24, 2002. 

You made me a mother that day.  And, God made a gentle giant who is destined to be a world changer.

Happy Birthday, JH.  I love you big.

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Filed under Kid Stuff, Motherhood

The Warrior.

(Lynn with her sweet grandchildren)

She’s one of the greatest women of God I’ve ever known.

She loves her family the way I imagine God called all mothers and daughters to love their families.

She loves the local the church and never misses a day in His courts unless necessary.

She loves her friends, and her thoughtfulness is always evident.

I honestly don’t know many more selfless human beings than Lynn Chambers.

I really don’t know how I would have pressed through my difficult times without her encouragement.

And, I don’t know a greater prayer warrior than she.

But, I do know that she loves with a love that must melt the heart of God.

She is my prayer warrior.

And, she’s probably yours.

Happy Birthday Lynn Chambers.  I love you more than I could ever express.  Thank you for believing in the power of prayer.  It’s an honor to call you friend.

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Filed under Friendship, prayer

Double The Fun.

What up party people?  Oh, perhaps, that’s just us.  We celebrated Anna’s 5th birthday and Kris’ 36th birthday this weekend.  I was actually scheduled to be induced with Anna on Kris’ birthday, November 8th, but my little girl had a mind of her own and came one day early. 

That mind of hers, it has not changed.  And, I’m sure she is thrilled she has a day all to herself.  She was quick to inform us that birthdays mean you “can do whatever you want.” 

I tend to agree.

Her day only went uphill after waking up to this.

Anna - bday pony

Kris moved the beauty to the living room, and I’ve kindly asked it be replaced back in Anna’s room.  I cannot continue to nearly pee my pants every time I walk by the animal.  I have enough trouble with that when I sneeze for crying (or sneezing) out loud.

Kris had a lovely day yesterday.  However, I do feel a tad sorry for him.  It’s rather difficult to enter the spotlight once Anna’s show has concluded.  But, he doesn’t seem to mind.  He’s pretty fond of his 8 pound 5 ounce birthday gift. 

He’s also pretty fond of John Henry.   And, I do have to share a picture he drew for Kris yesterday. 

JH - pic to Kris wp

This made me laugh out loud.  I did ask Kris’ permission to share his sweet gift.  He said, “It’s okay since my confidence level is pretty high that my feet clearly do not stink.”

Funnnny. 

I appreciate the Shrek-like feet even more than his appropriate, possessive use of “Dad’s.” 

Annnnd, that’s all I got.  Or have.  Or whatev’.

Just so completely happy Kris and Anna Takle were born.

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Filed under Kid Stuff, Randomness, Relationships

What Will Five Look Like?

Anna - Supergirl

Dear Anna,

Tonight, when I gently tuck the covers around your small frame, it will be the last time I kiss my four-year old daughter goodnight. 

Because, when you awaken tomorrow morning, you will be five years old.

Five.

Will you still refuse to wear tennis shoes if they are dirty?

Will you insist on being Super Girl for Halloween for a third year in a row?

Will you continue to sing the majority of the thoughts that run through your mind?

What will five look like on you?

I do know that no matter what, you will continue to make me laugh.  You will continue to be one of my greatest sources of fun.  You will continue to know exactly what you like and what you don’t.  You will continue to ask questions. 

You will continue to grow in the knowledge of your King.

Anna Takle, I love the way you love your big brother.  I love your boldness.  I love your determination.  I love watching you learn to love God.  I love how you melt in your daddy’s arms.  I love the way you rub my growing belly and talk to a little brother you’ve yet to meet.

I love every single day with you. 

And, I can’t imagine one second without you.

You are joy illuminated.

I love you birthday girl.

Love,
Mom

12 Comments

Filed under Kid Stuff, Motherhood

Big Mama Loves Me, But She Ain’t Gonna Sing.

Birthdays are just fun.  I spent yesterday morning with my BS’ers, err, Bible Study girls.  They are the bomb diggity and were certain to not let the day pass without a little celebration.

Even if the cookie cake turned out like this:

cookie cake wp

Cindy Beall has many talents.  Decorating cakes is probably not one of them.  Once she wrote “Happy” she quickly realized she’d have no room for “Birthday Dusty;” hence, “Happy Dusty.”  Never mind the fact my friend, Janna, thought it said “Hoppy Dusty.”  Cindy did learn, however, that cookie icing is not the best for writing text.  So, I feel certain she’ll master the art next time. 

Let’s just give her that.  It was a quite tasty after all.

Janna and her youngins treated me to dinner.  She is sweet like that.  But not before Big Mama called me.

“I near ‘bout forgot your birthday ‘til Aunt Faye reminded me.”  Big Mama admitted.

“Um, thanks, Big Mama?”    

Then, I nearly busted a gut laughing when she told me, “I would sing you ‘Happy Birthday’, but there is one note I can never get on that song.”

Oh, how she brings joy to my life. 

Thank you all for your wishes, blessings, and sweet messages.  You all made me feel very special.  For real. 

Love y’all.  Mean it!

5 Comments

Filed under Big Mama, Friendship, gratitude

I’m Letting My Dad Hijack My Blog.

Dad wanted to guest blog, and post this earlier.  It just seemed it may appear, I don’t know, a little selfish on my part?  Anyhoo.  After several requests to read his gift and for posterity’s sake, here ya go.  He’s a great dad.  A really, great dad.

Happy Birthday to the most wonderful daughter in the world.

 35 Things I Love About You:

  1.  God gave you to your mother and me.

 2.  I love your laugh.

 3.  I love the way you interact with your children.

 4.  I love the way you love God.

 5.  I love your hair and how you wear it.

 6.  I love your Blogs.

 7.  I love talking with you.

 8.  I love seeing you with your bags and children at the airport.

 9.  I love the way you treat your mom and me.

10. I love how you worship God.

11. I love the way you treat your friends.

12. I love how generous you are.

13. I love the way you love the local church.

14. I love the way you encourage me.

15. I love the way you carry yourself with such dignity.

16. I love how you look at me when I’m preaching, as that’s not my dad but a man of God.

17. I love how you and your mom cherish each other.

18. I love how you stress out over the most trivial stuff sometimes.

19. I love going out to eat with you, especially at Red Rock and Chelinos.

20. I love how smart you are.

21. I love how you love Christmas.

22. I love how you talk about Big Mama.

23. I love how you uplift other people.

24. I love how you honor and respect your husband.

25. I love your honesty about yourself.

26. I love hearing other people say how much you mean to them.

27. I love being the most proud Dad on earth.

28. I love seeing you cry tears of compassion for people.

29. I love watching you buy someone else’s groceries when you are checking out.

30. I love how you love Dr. Takle and Christina.

31. I love playing Scrabble with you.

32. I love all the quality time you give us.

33. I love how much you have matured in OKC.

34. I love everything about you.

35. I love the fact that I could say a gazillion more things.

Love,
Dad

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Filed under giving, parenting, Relationships

I Don’t Drive 35.

It’s true.  I’m 35 years old today.  I don’t feel a day older than 34 ½.  When my mom was 35 years old, she had a sixteen year old.  Wha?  It appears I’ll be 40 with a 5 year old.  I’ve heard having children a little later in life doesn’t keep you young, but it keeps you active.

Whatev’. 

I’m chilling an expensive bottle of Welch’s Grape Juice to celebrate tonight.  Should be a total blast.  I’d invite you all to my party, except there isn’t one.  I’m not bitter.  And, don’t y’all run out and get me something….until, I get you my correct address. 

Thirty-five.  35.  THIRTY-FIVE! 

Here are 35 random things I’ve learned in 35 years. 

1. When a toilet appears clogged, don’t flush it just to see what happens.

2. Don’t spend money you don’t have unless you really can’t live without those Ugg boots.  And, you can’t.  Trust me.  Wait, is that bad advice?

3. Take your sunglasses off when a police officer pulls you over for speeding.  I’m just sayin’. 

4. Put your preferred thing to do aside, and play Sorry! with your kids.  Even if it does take FOR-EVER.

5. Suck it up.  It’s not always about you.

6. Forgive.  Immediately.

7. Go get your child out of bed on occasion, and put her in bed with you.  Just because you want to snuggle.  She is your child.  And, the years do fly by.

8. Pride doesn’t work well in a marriage.  Humble yourself, and speak kindly.

9. Trust in the Lord with all your heart.  Lord knows, I can’t lean on my own understanding.

10. It’s usually not as bad as it seems.

11. My husband is a terrible mind-reader, but he can make some mean cinnamon rolls.

12. Surround yourself with positive people.  Even funny people.  They make life bearable.

13. Listen intently to your little ones now, so they’ll share their heart when they are older.

14. Mosquitoes are aggravatin’.  Always.

15. Nothing good happens after midnight.  Get to where you’re gonna get by 12am. (Thank @jburengoss for that one.)

16. Whenever you feel disconnected from your Creator, do whatever you’ve gotta do to reconnect.  And fast.

17. Never say never.  It’s a very long time.

18. Honor your mom and dad for as long as you live.

19. I never want to exercise.  Ever.  But, I’m always happy I did.  *I need to remember this more often.*

20. Friends are great investments.

21. Junior Mints are always a good idea.

22. So is sweet tea.

23. And listening to Sting.

24. Meeting Sting is one of my favorite moments ever.

25. Right up there with graduating from college.  For real.

26. My Big Mama makes the best biscuits.  And, she makes me laugh.  I wish I could spend more time with her.

27. Divorce is hell.  Period.

28. Communicate, communicate, communicate with your spouse.  But, learn how to communicate the right way.

29. In all my travels and life experiences, I’ve seen nothing more beautiful than the birth of my children.

30. Contentment is bliss. 

31. Being with family is, too.

32. I love the local church.  Love it.  I’m so thankful for the Sunday experience with body of Christ.  Nothing refills your tank quite like it.

33. My prayer life is essential.

34. So is living a life of gratitude. *Though, I need gentle reminders of this.*

35.  And, I continue to learn how wide and long and high is the love of Christ.

I could add to this list.  So could you.

Wanna share sumpin’ you’ve learned?

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Filed under God Stuff, gratitude, life, Love, Relationships, Spiritual Journey