If you follow on instagram, then you know our biggest girl just turned 9 this past weekend! I can hardly believe it! I remember the day she was born so clearly, just as if it happened yesterday. These past nine years have been really hard, but not because she’s difficult, but it has been a battle of fighting my own self-centeredness. I’m the difficult one. I have no clue how these kids live with me! Being a mother, at least a good mother, is a role that demands a lot of selflessness, and honestly, that doesn’t come natural to me. It’s taken a long time for my heart to understand denying myself, trusting in Jesus, and living out grace. Even still, I suck at it and that is precisely why I need more Jesus. Every single day goes like this… I mess up, ask for forgiveness, pray my heart believes the grace and mercy given at the cross, and things are fine and dandy, but then… boom! And repeat all of that about twenty times over.
I chose a pink fabric for her birthday dress because pink is her favorite color. I was going to do grey and something similar to my eye dress, but knew she would like pink much more. Just like the eye dress, I had initially planned to do a shift style, but with the girly glitter shoes she was going to get for her birthday, I thought a drop waist would be much more adorable. To make the nine tally marks, I just used black fabric paint and hand-painted them on. If you have my book, you know we are all about creating our own patterns on fabric. And of course, before you do any painting or sewing on your fabric, it is best to wash your fabric first. Next, iron it, and then go to town painting (or sewing). To heat set the design on, I allowed the paint to dry completely, and then press the fabric again to heat set in place (use some scrap fabric between in case any of the paint bleeds off).
Happy birthday my dear True! We love you whole heck of a lot!
*I got the 9 sparkler from Nothing Bundt Cakes, but this one from amazon is similar.
Happy 9th birthday True. You are adorable.
I hear you apRubyelken. I find myself in the same place often times each day. Thankful for His grace :). Have a blessed week.
you’re an amazing mom! i’m only 14 weeks in with my firstborn and already i’ve had moments of impatience and frustration and feeling like a horrible mother, as well as trying to believe in/receive His grace and mercy.
adorable!! happy birthday, true!
xx nikki
http://www.dream-in-neon.com
Absolutely love the dress and shoes! Beautiful beautiful! Touching blog post too! May God bless you and your awesome family!
aw happy birthday True! How lucky she is to have you guys as parents. I hope she had the greatest day!
It’s like she turned nine and suddenly looks like such a big kid! I love the dress pattern and the sweet pictures : ) Happy birthday to True!
Happy happy birthday, True!
I can’t believe your eldest is 9 now, Rubyellen! Time surely flies.
Thank you so much for your honest post. Yes, by God’s grace, I’m able to tackle my life with two kiddos one day at a time, all thanks to Him.
If I may… I would like to recommend this book, if you haven’t read it yet. (Please don’t be misled by the title, I’m not suggesting this book because we difficult children… 😉
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1590523121/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_10?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
That’s what 9 looks like?! my oldest is 8, and turns 9 in november. I better savor these moments better… we are in the same cycle you said in your post. I’m not sure if you’ll know how much your words made me feel less alone. I wish I never got frustrated with my oldest dude. 🙁 He and I are working on it, but sometimes I wonder if he thinks I’m lying when I still blow it after I say I am trying to have patience! 🙂
best!
I know! I totally feel what you just described. The time with them is going so fast that I feel like I’m doing more time wasting than treasuring.
Gah!! This dress is so adorable and such a perfect birthday dress! Truly beautiful…the dress, your family and your heartfelt thoughts and prayers, Rubyellen. I think every mom can agree that every day we are humbled to our knees. You are an amazing woman, a loving momma and Jesus love, Loves, LOVES you!! 🙂
Thank you so much!
Wow! Happy birthday True, 9 years old! Love the dress, how clever with the painted number nines. Wishing True an amazing 9th year xx
Wow, great look. I love it!
Thank you!