Today we celebrate.

Today we remember.

We released balloons to commemorate a little girl who has left in indelible imprint on our hearts forever.

We watched them sail off into the sky and our conversation turned to heaven….and healed hearts…..and eternity.

Every year we remember, but this year, her flood of tears completely took my by surprise.

“Mommy” she sobbed after releasing the balloons, 

“I just don’t want to wait.  Im ready.  I want to be in heaven now! I want to see her (Annabelle) and be with Jesus“

This is what I desire for each of my children….a homesickness for heaven and awareness that this is not our home.  But her wisdom beyond her years has always been a bittersweet trait.

“Mommy, I want to be in heaven because I know there are no more tears.”

Weighty words coming from a six-year-old.  He has set eternity in her heart.  

She skipped off to the playground……..then bounced back,

 “Ok, Im ready, I want to invite Jesus into my heart“.

We talked about sin and our need for a Savior.  And about grace and forgiveness and the finished work of Jesus at the cross.  And she got it.  In her innocent, receptive, beautiful heart, she got it.  She came home and with her daddy and I by her side, prayed a simple childlike prayer to ask Jesus into her heart….to take away sin and forgive her and give her new life and relationship with Him.

For this day we have prayed for 6 years.  For our daughter to come to know Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior.  To see her walking in relationship with Him.  No greater joy!  Our little “Evangeline” (“bringer of light”) now carries The Light in her heart!

And as I kissed her goodnight, her precious words rang with conviction, 

“Goodnight mom.  If I die tonight, Ill see you in heaven!”

This world pales in comparison to the joy set before us!

Great cause for celebration in the heavens today!

Today we remember and honor Evie’s very first friend Annabelle – happy birthday little angel!!

Today celebrate Evie’s re-birthday – only God could draw her to Himself in such sweet timing!!

My heart (and eyes) overflow!

Great is Thy Faithfulness!!

People ask us frequently how we spell her name.  The correct answer: T-R-O-U-B-L-E!!

This girl’s got more personality in her baby finger than we can handle.

She rocked a fun little photoshoot for my friend Margaret showing off some of Luna Belle Boutique’s swanky summer styles.

Be jealous….modeling sundresses in January.  Not too shabby!

Not gonna lie…this living overseas thing has its perks!

Here’s your daily dose of Vitamin Gigi….

Its a family tradition!

My grandpa made one for me on my 6th birthday.

And did the same for my 3 sisters.

C took on the challenge with Abi and Britain and Izzy.

This year it was Evies turn to add a cute Charleston style pale yellow Victorian home to our lovely miniature neighborhood.

They say it takes a village to raise a child.

SO grateful for Lin and Rasee for helping me carry on this tradition so far from home.  We got the very last Victorian dollhouse in South East Asia, Im pretty sure!

Being that she got both her daddys organizational OCD 🙂 and her mommas knack for decorating, she approaches dollhouse play a bit different from your average 6 year old.  Instead of make-believe interaction with the tiny dolls, she is interested only in organizing rooms and rearranging furniture….and not too pleased when Gigi takes to dollhouse play in a more traditional manner.

Evie – my child whom when she was only 2 would take paper dolls and arrange rows of undergarments, skirts, dresses, accessories and never cared to actually “play” or dress them.  Just organize their closet.  I see a personal assistant position in her future.

Or at least a lucky husband who will have his closet immaculately color-coded.

Happy Birthday darling!

Enjoy every minute of your beautiful girlhood!