Lydia's 10th Birthday

LYDIA’S 10TH BIRTHDAY LETTERS

Lydia,

I love you so much my daughter.  It is hard to believe we have already been blessed to have you among us for 10 years!  You are a special light in our family and the world.  I hope and pray you step into the fullness of who God has designed you to be, that you would follow your calling and be a person whose character calls others to hope, happiness and joy.  Your creativity and laughter will always bring a smile to me.  I recall fondly so many of our times together from your birth to daddy's breakfasts before school to our trip to Kiawah Island.  You have such a natural friendship with your "adoptive grandmothers" it makes me proud that you can enjoy and care for them as well.  You can be such a good friend and influence, I pray you would walk close with Jesus and never grow tired of doing good.  I can't wait to see who you will grow to be over the next 10 years, imagine, you will be almost done with college by then!

I love you up to the moon, big as the sky, deep as the ocean, forever and for always.

Daddy

Dear Lydia,

I just wanted to write you this letter to wish you a happy 10th Birthday.  I want you to know how very special you are to me. You are an extraordinary young lady. You never cease to amaze me with your gratitude, creativity, great intellect and overwhelming beauty. I see your nurturing spirit in the way you care for your little brother and the kids in your class who have special needs.

Having you as my only daughter delights me. I am so proud of you for the girl you are and the woman you will become (but hopefully not too soon).

We can never know what will happen in this world, but please know how much I love and adore you. You have such an incredibly bright future ahead of you.  You are a winner!  Your father and I hope that your faith will grow and sustain you through all of life’s challenges. May you always watch out for others who are less fortunate than you.

I love you, my precious girl. Please know that you always have me and our family in your corner to support you through the good times and the bad. Never feel like you are alone because I will always be with you even if only in spirit. Being a wife and mother have been the biggest blessings in my life. I am proud to be your mother.  

I love you to the end of the earth and back again.

Mom

We sent this to friends and family:

If your time permits, we'd like to ask that you please bring, e-mail, or send (our address and map link are below) a note with your earliest memories about Lydia and/or your hopes for her future.

Dear Lydia,

I am so sorry that I cannot not attend your wonderful celebration. I have a houseful of company this weekend as we are celebrating a family birthday ourselves. I did want to send you a note to tell you to have a WONDERFUL Birthday celebration.  

I feel that I am a very blessed teacher to have had the opportunity to teach you in second grade. I have enjoyed watching you grow to be the awesome student you are. I wish you much luck and success in middle school. I am sure you will continue with your academic success in middle school and beyond. Please keep in touch over the years. I would love to hear from you about all that you do in the future. My home email is nccaw104@aol.com .

Finally, I would like to say thanks to you parents for including me in this wonderful endeavor. What a cool idea they had to send you personal messages for this milestone birthday. Welcome to “2-digits” kiddo! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Enjoy your day!

Caryl A. Wollert, NBCT

Second Grade Teacher

Claxton Elementary School

Something wonderful about Lydia is that she is a very strong young lady.  She is solid in her convictions and has a sweet heart.  She looks out for and cares for those in need.  She is able to speak her mind and stands up for what she believes.  She will always hold a special place in my heart.  I know that she will continue to grown into a lovely young woman as she navigates life and learns the great love of the Father.  My hopes for her is that with every passing day she becomes more aware and thankful for God's love and grace towards her.

Love,

Ms. Naomi

Dear Lydia:

Congratulations on your 10th birthday!  What a big day this is – no longer a “little girl”, and almost a teenager!

It has been a joy for Gayle, me, Rob and Bill to be a part of your life, especially since the time that we moved to Winston in 2004.  You were only 3 years old when we moved here.  You are smart, creative, caring, and…. full of wonderful energy!

Our hope and prayer for you is that, as you enter this next phase of growing up, you will discover the gifts God has given you that make you unique, and will learn to appreciate those gifts and the ways in which they enable you to help other people.

I’m sorry we can’t be there to celebrate with you, but know that we will be thinking of you.  Eat some extra birthday cake for us, ok?

Love,

Uncle Hal, Aunt Gayle, Cousins Rob and Bill

Hal & Gayle Eason    

Lydia's First Slumber Party and Her Birthday Letter

Lydia learned about Out of the Garden's ministry to underfed students through her Brownies troop. Our family joined her in running a 5K race on the morning of her birthday. Russell rode along in his stroller. The event was part of the Human Race that raises money for charity. (Lydia is pictured on the far right above and J.T. is behind her)

Lydia's Slumber Party at Home

Clockwise: Lydia T., Tatum C., Samantha P., Caroline C., Kinsleigh N., Kayla R., Nina H., Margot C., and Leah R.

Anna B., Elisabeth B., Bethany B., Lydia T., and Jen T.

Dear Lydia,

Happy 9th birthday! As I’ve watched you develop this past year, I can clearly see you being like your
sweet father in your love of running. As a 3rd grader, you were finally able to join the running club at your school. We ran a 5K race this Fall and you would do it again every week if we had the time!

When you look back, years from now, you may wonder what was going on in
my life aside from the joy I experienced raising you. So, I’d like you to know
that, apart from the fun I’ve had with you, something I’ve particularly enjoyed
about my life is traveling within N.C. and to Wisconsin this year to share the healing message of my book, The Five Languages of Apology.

There have been hard times this year, too. One of the toughest things you bravely faced was getting 5 rabies shots over 3 weeks after we found a bat in our house.

And even though you have lots of other friends, you seem to really particularly
enjoy Tatum Church because of your many weeks spent together as we have exercised with her family at the park, the track, and the gym. You two have become the sisters that each of you needs.

One of your qualities that I especially admire is how you give gifts to others. You frequently make crafts and pictures to give to family and friends. We're blessed to have my sister and her family nearby. She keeps you kids for me while I work on Wednesdays. She says that you so often bless her with gifts.

This last year of knowing you and watching you develop has meant so much to
me.
I love you, and that’s why I’ve written you this letter. It’s my Legacy of Love
for your Lifetime.

Mom

Lydia's 8th Birthday

Happy 8th Birthday, itty bitty Lydia!



Hunting for Easter eggs in our house.

Instead of a cake this year, Lydia chose to have chocolate fondue with bites of cake, fruit, pretzels, and more.

Aunt Liz and her family are staples at our birthday parties.

The view from our loft. :)

Lydia's 7th Birthday

The page with a bow in Lydia's baby book was artfully made by her Aunt Liz (Bishop).

Calm, well-organized group for approximately...

Two seconds.