Dear Mommy,
Happy birthday! As usual, we find ourselves unable to write exactly what we have in our hearts. So this year, we've decided to do some list-making.
Things we love about you...
- Your devotion to Jesus Christ.
- Your laugh, and the beautiful smile that comes along with it. Thanks for showing it to us everyday.
- The fact that you're not afraid of being different.
- You are incredibly wise, but never condescending.
- The clothes you wear. You are SO cute.
- The way you love our dad and aren't shy about showing it.
- The way you always make lemonade out of life's lemons. There's no one quite like you for making lemonade. (And some would say you've had more than your fair share of lemons.) We're glad you share it with all of us!
- You always understand.
- You encourage us to do our very best. Thanks for telling us exactly what you think!
- You are selfless.
- The fact that you love being with all of us.
Things you've taught us...
- A messy house full of happy children is better than a tidy house without any laughter.
- Blueberry crisp and Blue Bell ice cream is really a breakfast food.
- You can make almost anything with an ordinary sheet, including curtains, dust ruffles, and costumes.
- To always kiss goodbye and goodnight, because it could be for the last time.
- That being kind and loving is much more important than being intellectual.
- That worrying about anything is a waste of time. The Lord will always take care of us.
- To never laugh when you see someone hurting, but to help them instead.
- People are always more important than things.
- Paperclip necklaces are worth more than pearls.
We could write a book, Mommy. We're so thankful the Lord made you! We'll love you forever.
Your girls,
Apphia, Achaia, Abigail, and Abiah
Ps. You may be 46, but you don't look a day over 35!
Please wish our mom a very happy birthday! (Let's see if we can make it to 46 comments!)
Aw, what a great legacy! Happiest of birthdays to you. :)
Posted by: Megan | September 13, 2010 at 09:57 AM
happy birthday. and many more.
Posted by: Jenny | September 13, 2010 at 09:59 AM
Happy Birthday to your mama!
Posted by: Jordan Comeaux | September 13, 2010 at 09:59 AM
Happy Birthday! Thank you for raising such sweet, godly girls! :-)
Posted by: Caroline | September 13, 2010 at 10:00 AM
Happy Birthday Kristie! You are a true example of a cheerful giver. Your generosity to our family over the last year has ministered to us greatly and we are so thankful! I hope you have a great day!
Posted by: joanna donahue | September 13, 2010 at 10:01 AM
Happy Birthday!!!! What a tribute from your loving girls! :)
Posted by: Kim | September 13, 2010 at 10:03 AM
Happy birthday Mama! I'll be 46 in less than 2 months, too! :)
Posted by: Chrissy | September 13, 2010 at 10:11 AM
HAPPY HAPPY DAY! your girls are such a joy to everyone and i am sure a reflection of their mothers love for them!! God bless you!
Posted by: judy buchanan | September 13, 2010 at 10:15 AM
Happy Birthday Mama Long!!You truly are blessed...enjoy your day :D
Posted by: Kate M. | September 13, 2010 at 10:19 AM
Happy Birthday! Praying you're surrounded by your most cherished blessings today!
Posted by: Marie | September 13, 2010 at 10:26 AM
Happy Birthday! Have a wonderful day.
Posted by: Shirley Clark | September 13, 2010 at 10:33 AM
Happy Happy Birthday. Enjoy your day. B.
Posted by: B. | September 13, 2010 at 10:46 AM
I think having my daughter write such wonderful things about me would be the best gift ever! Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Courtney | September 13, 2010 at 11:06 AM
Happy B-day!!!! May God bless you with many more!
Posted by: Alanna N. | September 13, 2010 at 11:26 AM
Happy birthday Mrs. Long! May you have day of joy and thanksgiving and fun! God bless you today and every day.
Posted by: Miss Jem | September 13, 2010 at 11:36 AM
Happy Birthday, dear Kristie....I count it an honor to know you and want you to know I miss you dearly! Enjoy your special day and please write soon!
Julie
Posted by: Julie T/MI | September 13, 2010 at 11:47 AM
happy birthday! looks like you have 4 lovely daughters? i am one of 4 girls ;-) i placed an order with y'all a while ago...
Posted by: jane | September 13, 2010 at 12:19 PM
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: K Low | September 13, 2010 at 12:52 PM
Happy Birthday!! Enjoy your special day.
Posted by: Deb | September 13, 2010 at 01:07 PM
Feliz Cumple! There, now you've been wished a happy birthday in Spanish too. ☺
Thank you for your example of cheerful Christianity and feminine goodness. And for passing that on to your wonderful daughters!
Posted by: Chocolate on my Cranium | September 13, 2010 at 01:23 PM
Happy Happy Birthday!!!
Posted by: Tiffany G. | September 13, 2010 at 01:27 PM
Happy Birthday Mrs. Long, you are a big encouragement to me as a young Mommy!! Have fun celebrating!!!
Posted by: The Pearlstein Family | September 13, 2010 at 01:34 PM
Happy Happy Birthday Kristie. I so enjoy being with you and your beautiful girls through the site. I wish you the most blessed day and many more to come! Love you!
Posted by: Margaret Bennett Rotchford | September 13, 2010 at 01:39 PM
Happy Birthday, Mrs. Long! I hope you have a simply wonderful day, delighting in the Lord! {Yesterday was my birthday, so it looks like our birthdays are a day apart-how fun! :)}
Blessings,
Elizabeth
Posted by: Elizabeth | September 13, 2010 at 02:02 PM
What sweet daughters you have, Mrs. Long...you must be very, very proud of them (and well you should!)
Happy birthday!! May the Father bless you and your family with laughter, closeness, and a deeper relationship with Him! Enjoy your special day!!
{{Hugs}}
Posted by: Miss Toria | September 13, 2010 at 02:28 PM
Happy Birthday! ;)
Posted by: Joyfull Girl | September 13, 2010 at 02:30 PM
Happy Birthday, Mrs. Long! Your gentle spirit is evidence of the Lord's light in you! Have a lovely day! ~Anna
Posted by: Anna | September 13, 2010 at 02:36 PM
Happy, happy birthday Mrs. Long!!! We all love you very much! :)
Posted by: Livvy | September 13, 2010 at 02:51 PM
Happy Birthday Mrs. Long.
You are a blessing to the Coghlans and we pray the Lord will give you many more years of service in his name.
Posted by: Pcoghlan | September 13, 2010 at 03:03 PM
happy birthday to a proverbs 31 blessing :) love you very much and be blessed with your family today and everyday for that matter :) i had talked to apphia one time on the phone and she is awesome...have a great day mama :)
Posted by: cheri canchola | September 13, 2010 at 03:03 PM
Happy birthday, Mrs. Long! Girls, that was such a sweet post. =)
Thanks for your lovely ministry. May God bless you today!
Blessings,
~Annie~
Posted by: Annie | September 13, 2010 at 03:04 PM
Your children rise and call you Blessed! What a great birthday gift! Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Stacey Hunter | September 13, 2010 at 03:14 PM
Have a Wonderful birthday! What a terrific example of a Proverbs 31 woman!
Posted by: Robyn | September 13, 2010 at 03:23 PM
Happy B-day to your mama.
Posted by: Haviland | September 13, 2010 at 03:24 PM
What a beautiful and heartfelt post by your beautiful girls. Kristie, have a wonderful birthday, and I hope you are blesssed with many, many more. Fiona xxxxxx
Posted by: Fiona M | September 13, 2010 at 04:05 PM
Happy Birthday Mrs. Long!
Posted by: ~Desiree~ | September 13, 2010 at 04:17 PM
How lovely! Best wishes for many more birthdays surrounded by your loving daughters. What wonderful birthday gifts they are!
Posted by: Lesly | September 13, 2010 at 04:42 PM
Happy Birthday what a beautiful legacy.
Posted by: Natasha | September 13, 2010 at 04:42 PM
Happy Birthday, Mrs. Long! :-)
Posted by: Emily | September 13, 2010 at 04:47 PM
Happy birthday, Mrs. Long! I've so enjoyed looking over your site and getting to know your family through your blog... I hope you have a lovely day!
Posted by: Maggie | September 13, 2010 at 04:48 PM
Happy Birthday! I'm the eldest of 5 sisters, and mama to 1 (so far) daughter, and I'm sure your special day couldn't have been anything but lovely with those beautiful girls in you life. :)
Posted by: Jessica M. | September 13, 2010 at 04:52 PM
Happy Birthday to you! I hope you have a great day!
Blessings,
Martha Joy
Posted by: Martha Joy | September 13, 2010 at 04:55 PM
Happy birthday! I'm quite sure that a list like that, written by girls who love you so much, has already made it a happy one...but please add my wishes to theirs & everyone else's!
Posted by: jill | September 13, 2010 at 05:09 PM
Happy Birthday - had previously ordered your jumper pattern - always looking for nice fabric - like what I am seeing - you and your lovely girls are doing a great job.
Posted by: Dianna | September 13, 2010 at 05:32 PM
Have a very Happy Birthday!
♥Michelle
Posted by: Michelle | September 13, 2010 at 05:34 PM
Happy happy birthday! Wishing you God's blessings! I think you have the sweetest family! I love spending time on your blog just to be close to you all! Enjoy your day! ♥
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | September 13, 2010 at 05:52 PM
I think we've made 46...is that the magic number? ENJOY!!! ♥♥♥
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | September 13, 2010 at 05:53 PM
Kristie, What a wonderful birthday post from the girls. Now Daddy and I would like to add a little more to their list. From the day you were born (actually, well before that) you were a happy, loving little girl, not afraid to have your say but obeying us all the while you were saying it. Fussing a little with your sisters but always willing to go the extra mile for them. Never grumbling about putting your baby sister in your twin bed with you when she was frightened, and not even getting mad at your older sister for making you do it. You brought joy to our lives then as you do now. We miss seeing you every day as we once did but think of you every day anyway. All our love to you today and every single day of the year! You are the greatest!!! LOVE ALWAYS, MOM AND DAD.
Posted by: Mom | September 13, 2010 at 05:57 PM
Happy Birthday! Family Blessings to You!
Posted by: MaryJo | September 13, 2010 at 06:45 PM
I posted earlier but it's not here! I will post again. I started getting teary reading all the sweet kind words your daughters had to say. You have become such a Godly roll model for me Kristie. I adore you! Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Jenny Fish | September 13, 2010 at 06:48 PM