Happy 17th birthday, Savannah Rose!


My “May Day” baby girl is 17-years-old!

I have the most vivid memories of walking the parade field across from Darnell Army Community Hospital, Fort Hood, Texas, (since my midwife said I should walk to get contractions coming faster). Overcome with peace and so excited to meet you, Savannah Rose! Daddy and I couldn’t wait to see who God created you to be!

You inspire me every day with the way you seek to know the Lord. You are a voracious reader, but the Bible is the book you live in. You love people and are the most loyal friend. You search for ways to encourage and lift up those around you! You are a wonderful big sister, hard worker, love to serve (my laundry fairy!), don’t like to be late, and you set a lot of goals (and achieve them)! You are so creative; painting, sewing, writing. You love animals, Broadway musicals, science books, iced chai tea lattes, and unique thrift store clothing. You’re a loving daughter, a passionate worship leader, a joyful Bible teacher, and you shine on theater, church, and piano performance stages wherever we’ve moved on the globe!

Last year, for your 16th birthday, we took a trip to western France, for the most magical long weekend and came home to Germany, for a party with some of your best friends! Staying-at-home this year is quite the contrast. But as I’ve prayed, I’ve realized that this is an unforgettable chapter in the story God is writing in your life. Never dull, sweet girl! And all the places He’s taken you, the lives you’ve touched, the times of sorrow and growth as a military kid, every time you’ve stepped out in faith (like right now in the midst of a pandemic), those precious ones you’ve led to Jesus, the big celebrations, and the quiet-tucked-in-ones that just our family hold in our hearts are breathtaking because they are part of you. I love you, Savannah Rose, and am so honored to be your mommy! Happy 17th birthday!
















Celebrating our girl began earlier in the week with special conversations, “Sunday Drives,” treats, and family walks. But on her birthday morning I got up extra early to decorate the house and our Hero picked up fresh donuts. Our whole family headed into Savannah’s bedroom singing “happy birthday” and soaking up birthday morning hugs.

From morning till night, Savannah was blessed with videos sent by friends, calls from family, snail mail, handmade cards from her homeschool gym class students, and so many messages online. Her siblings each picked out thoughtful gifts and we gave her some big surprises: an old fashioned record player, her favorite broadway musical, Anastasia, to start her vinyl collection, and a small, vintage-style “hope chest” filled with special items symbolizing beautiful moments God has in store for our girl’s future!

For dinner, Savannah requested French dip sandwiches (with Swiss cheese), pasta salad, green bean casserole, chocolate-chip-pie, and pink lemonade! During dinner, we sat on our lanai picnic table sharing reasons why we love this girl so much. So many reasons. We took turns filling her heart with gifts of affirmation. (Cue the mommy tears hearing her siblings words of love). It was just right and I know this will be a birthday that Savannah and our whole family will always cherish!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11














Happy, happy birthday to our first baby!! You are Oh-so-loved, Savannah!

Comments

  1. What a beautiful Birthday celebration... so filled with love and precious memories. Savannah has grown into a beautiful young lady. May God continue to bless her all the days of her life. Amen.

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