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| A sweet baby girl! |
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| One year old! |
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| Asleep in Daddy's arms |
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| Anna's 3rd birthday |
Today is Anna's 17th birthday! My how time flies! I remember the tiny baby being placed in my arms. I remember the ornery little grin as this fun loving toddler would grab her big sister's toy and run for it! I remember when she wanted skates sooo bad and was excited to get them for her birthday. There were the chicken pox, the style of sandals she just HAD to have, and the love of life this girl has had all along. She has always loved to sing, and I remember when she received a new song in her heart! What a beautiful change took place in this girl the day she accepted Christ as her Savior! Anna has been a joy to this family from the beginning! It's been three years exactly since the day she landed in Uganda, Africa for a life changing experience. Anna's love for missions has never been the same since. One year ago, we celebrated a milestone....sweet 16, with make-up, pierced ears, a special dinner, and a hope chest. Wow, it's been a whole year since that day! And since her last birthday, much has happened, much has changed, but not her winsome spirit or her love for her Savior! As I look at my precious daughter lying in her hospital bed this 23rd day of May, 2013, her 17th birthday, I still see that sweet, fun loving girl who is more in love with Christ than ever before. She loves to share that love with anyone, everyone. She still loves to sing, smile, and hope for the future. Today is a birthday we will never forget. Our family will gather for a birthday celebration on the 8th floor at Seattle Children's Hospital. She will enjoy being with those she especially loves, she will enjoy the cards and gifts that we will give her. The special surprises will be fun. Anna's smile will be bright. This is day +5 for her. Five days have passed since her 3rd "birthday"...another celebration we recently enjoyed. We are grateful to get this time to be together. We are grateful to get the chance to love on our favorite Anna in the whole world! We are excited to wish Anna-Renee a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
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| A birthday past... |
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| The girls being silly |
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| A lovely young lady |
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| Loving on Lydia |
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| Always a bright smile for the camera! |
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| Such a beautiful girl |
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| Growing up |
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| A first for make-up (though not needed!) |
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| One year ago today! 16! |
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| Another awesome photo shoot with Jenny! |
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| Sporting a new look |
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| Enjoying the love |
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| A new journey |
WE LOVE YOU, ANNA-RENEE!!!! HAPPY 17TH BIRTHDAY!!!!!
Happy Birthday to my girl!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHard to believe how fast time goes by looking at the pictures above, life truly is a vapor. I love you from the depths of my heart Anna-Renee Ruth Houston
Love,
Daddy
Happy Birthday sweet Anna. I love you and thank you beyond what words can express for the light of Christ that shines in you and through you. This is another very special day in your life. I would so love to be there to give you a hug but since I am not I will send it through ny very smart phone:) HUG and prayer. Whenever I think of my trip to Russia I think of my 5 hours in Paris and then I think of you. I can't think of a more fun person to go there again with, than with you, so when I turn 80 you can go there with me. We can celebrate many years lived for the glory of the Lord. Happy Birthday again sweet lady Love, Mrs. Green
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Anna!!! I am usually prompted to pray for you as I awake, and today was no different... not realizing it was your birthday! :-)
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a happy, happy birthday sweet young lady! You so deserve it! We love you and are continuing to pray for you! We left a little fun gift for you at the church so that the next time someone is over here they can take it to you. We hope it brings as many smiles and laughs as ya'lls Christmas presents, lol! Keep smiling! The Hilsons
ReplyDeleteOk you were not kidding when you said Rhiannon Renée sort of looked like Anna! I can see it when looking at that baby photo!
ReplyDeleteRhiannon lights up when I show her pictures of you! (she tries to grab the phone or computer screen & ”kiss it”) I know she truly misses you loving on her! Your smile always lights her up!
Happy Birthday Anna! We love you. Praying & Thinking of you always!
Happy Birthday Anna!!! I can't describe to you how much I love you as a sister in Christ Jesus would... I hope you get better really soon!!! :)
ReplyDeleteLove in Christ Jesus,
Hanna Morton
Anna,
ReplyDeleteHappy 17th Birthday! I'm afraid we just put your card in the mail, so you'll have to keep celebrating your birthday for a few more days. :-)
We hope today is a special day for you and that the Lord grants extra comfort and joy to you.
Love,
Suemes
Happy Birthday Anna-Renee!! I pray that you will have a joyful birthday despite your circumstances, and that God will use this time with your family to strengthen and encourage you.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Tessa
Sweet Anna,
ReplyDeleteHappy happy birthday! I hope and pray that you are feeling better today, and that you're able to enjoy this special day! Thinking back to what your mom wrote for your fifteenth birthday, it's amazing to see that God does have a plan for your life and that He is using you to reach so many lives...especially mine! You mean more to me than I can describe! I love you so very much!
~Sarah S.
Dear Anna,
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Sweet girl! I know your day will be filled with special things and surprises. How exciting! I am there in spirit rejoicing for this day! Please know that I send you love, hugs and our continued prayers. I know that your family will wrap you with joy today!Can't wait to celebrate your 18th! I know Daddy would say lets get through 17 first! May the Saviour that we love and serve wrap you with health and strength for this day and the days ahead. I will think of our chats, hugs, smiles, laughs and prayers together. I miss you more than I can say but I know you are letting the Lord do His work in you and we will see you when we can.
So enjoy this day to the fullest! Happy Birthday!
Love Mrs. Harper
Happy Birthday Anna! You and your family are in my prayers! Though we've never met, we are bonded in Christ. May He continue to give you strength!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Anna. You're an amazing young lady. Super thankful for the relationship we have with you and your family. Have a super awesome day!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to sweet Anna, hope you feel good enough to enjoy the day with your family. Thank you for your kind words to "Mr. nice Guy" at his memorial, he always got a smile on his face when you all called him that. Stay strong and I know the Lord is with you always. Love Cheryl Morris
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Anna!! You are such a beautiful young lady - inside and out! We love you so much and send many prayers your way for a blessed year!
ReplyDeleteAllison - "Happy Birthday! We love you very much and hope you get better very soon!"
Abby - "I hope you feel better! We love you! Happy Birthday!"
Happy Birthday Anna. Hope you are feeling better today. We miss seeing you at church with your never diminished smile. I miss your hugs. You're like my 2nd daughter. We will continue to pray for you and your family daily till the Lord takes us home. I love you and miss you. Grandpa Mandery
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to precious Anna! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Anna!
ReplyDeleteWe're praying for you and hope you're day is special like no other, as you are to so many.
The Hayden's
Happy Birthday, dear Anna!! How we love you and pray that the Lord will shower you with the blessings that you so freely shower on everyone you know. You are so very special to our family, and to everyone else who is privileged to come into contact with you.
ReplyDeleteLove to you from all the Hamiltons
Happy birthday Anna! We love you, and are praying for you, I am so proud of the young lady you turned out to be.... I hope today is special for you, praying that you have just a tad more energy and less nausea on your special day! We love you:)
ReplyDelete-Love the Burchett's
A very Happy Birthday to you Anna! You are in our prayers and thoughts, and we hope that this day is special and blessed in ways which you could never have imagined!
ReplyDeleteYour testimony of joy, and peace has been such a blessing to us all!
Lots of love,
The Smythe Family
Happy Birthday to a sweet and special 17 year old girl!
ReplyDeleteWith Love,
The Ledford's
San Diego
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I hope you have a great day Anna. You are always in my thoughts and prayers. I love you and miss you so much.
ReplyDeleteEmilie Johnson
Happy Birthday Anna!
ReplyDeleteLeon & Kat Jarrett
happy birthday! Anna I hope and pray that you are feeling better today, and I pray that you're able to enjoy this special day! of yours.
ReplyDeleteLove A friend and brother in Christ,
~Brady~
Happy Birthday to a truly beautiful young lady! We are praying for you all. Mrs. Houston your blog is an encouragement to me and my girls. We miss you all.
ReplyDeleteSabrina Johnson
Happy birthday sweet girl. We are praying for you every day. I think about you so much. I pray that this day is extra special for you. Praise God you have your family there with you!
ReplyDeleteHappy 17th birthday Anna! Have a wonderful day celebrating with your family!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Anna! The Hand family is praying for you and your family!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Anna!!! I'm sure I'm not the only one that wishes they could give you a big birthday hug today. I hope you like your gift.... as soon as I saw it, I immediately thought of you!! Praying you have a special day, with no nausea feelings, so you can fully enjoy your day! Love and many hugs, Mrs. Potvin
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Anna! Welcome to the "17 club"! ;) It's a great age!! :D
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday Anna! Just wanted to let you know that the members of Salem Baptist Temple are praying for you! Hope you have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteNathan and Jewell Leierer
Pastor & Mrs. Brown
Salem, Oregon
Happy 17th birthday, Anna!!!! We hope you have a wonderful birthday despite everything. 17 is an awesome age so you have much to look forward to :):) We pray for you every day and news about you is probably one of the things most looked forward to in our family (good news that is) We are very grateful you can still smile.
ReplyDeleteWith Love
Emilie and Hannah Cox
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNA! You are very special to all of us. We sure are missing you at church but know that you are exactly where the Father wants you. It is visible in the testimony you have as well as that of your entire family. We will be praying for you fervently.
ReplyDeleteLove you,
Doug and Jan Broxton
Happy birthday Anna! We all miss you and are praying for you!
ReplyDeleteSeventeen!? I met you just before your tenth birthday! It's amazing how quickly the time has gone by since we started coming to Westside. I count you among my close friends, and regret that I am unable to wish you a happy birthday in person. Please know that I am faithfully praying for your comfort, healing and recovery! Your testimony has always been a blessing and example to me, and all the more since you began this trial. Your love for others above yourself inspires the same in everyone around you! Keep shining bright for Christ, and have a wonderful birthday Anna!
ReplyDeleteYour friend and brother in Christ,
~Gilead Rose
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNA!!! Praying that today will be really special for you and that you will be feeling better today :) Love you!
ReplyDeleteInsert really bad singing here..."Happy Birthday to you,Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Sweet Anna, Haaappy Biiirthdaaay toooo Yooouuu !!! "
ReplyDeleteBe glad I'm not there to sing it to you in person ;-) You would be feeling sick fore sure ;-)
Love you bunches sweetie !!
Cyber(((HUGS)))
Dear Anna! Happy Birthday to you! We think of you often, pray for you daily and even during mealtimes. Your attitude and reliance on the Lord are encouraging and humbling! Praying for health and strength for you and your family. Я ЛЮБЛЮ ВАС! Luba.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Anna,
ReplyDeleteYou are a very special young lady. I hope you had a special time with your Mom, Dad and siblings. I'm sure you enjoyed your surprise and all other things that were given to you for your special day.
Love and prayers,
Mr. Potvin
Pr. 3:5-6
Happy Birthday, Anna! I pray that you were blessed with a wonderful pain free, comfortable day. Seems like such a short time ago when we were celebrating your birthdays in St. Helens. We love you dearly,
ReplyDeleteThe Fehlens
Happy Birthday from all of the Millers. Praying for you to have a special joy today in the presence of Jesus and your family. We can't wait to see you again! Love love love you so much.
ReplyDeleteHappy 17th Birthday, Anna; we love you and your family very much--you all are very dear. We continue to pray for you all, and for Lynsie and her family, and for every one that God brings into your path. You are missed so very much!
ReplyDeleteThe Olsen Family
Brian, Teresa, Felicity, and Andy
HAPPY BIRTHDAY,ANNA!!!!!!!!!!! Many continued prayers for you. Have you asked for your wish from Make A Wish yet?
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a very blessed birthday surrounded by your family and with lots of love.
Happy birthday Anna!!!!!!!!! Love you:) you are so awesome!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLena Ann Clark
Happy birthday Anna, praying for you! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Anna!
ReplyDeleteThe Coopers
Happy Birthday Anna! We are praying for you!
ReplyDelete-The Hammond Clan
Our Prayers are with you Happy Birthday Anna Love you much
ReplyDeleteLove and Prayers
Theresa Pennington
Happy belated birthday Anna!!! You were in our thoughts and prayers all day. We love and miss you just like everyone else! You are an amazing young lady, loved by so many! With love and hugs, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Savannah, Noah, Nathan, Sammy, Jeremiah, Victoria, Sophia, and Isabella Anna
ReplyDeleteI hope your 17th birthday was great! I'm praying for you!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings in Christ,
Grace