Happy birthday Courtney, I hope to one day be able to find the right words to express how much you mean to me.  Until that time I hope you know that having you as my daughter is a gift I cherish. I thank God for how He created you. Below are a few descriptive words that came to mind.

C – You are creative as you have so many talents.  You write music, sing, play various musical instruments (piano, violin, guitar) by ear, paint, write, etc.  It’s a joy to hear you sing and play the piano when you are home. You’ve recently created a blog to bring other creative minds together and showcase your works at Paint & Parcel One can also she your creatively at Confessions of an X Introvert.

O – As a child you were always obedient being quick to obey and cheerful to follow directions of those over you.  I’m sure this is why your employers value you. I’d also say you are an original one of a kind making you interesting and fun.

U – You have the special gift of truly understanding people as you listen and hear beyond mere words. As Albert Einstein said, “any fool can know.  The point is to understand.” You understand people and are also unbiased.

R – Finishing school two years earlier than your peers, moving to CA at 20, serving on staff for a campus ministry, etc… would qualify you as being responsible.

T – You learn from your mistakes as well as those of others making you not only smart but teachable.  ”give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime” If you want to know something you will teach yourself or find someone to help.

N – You have a sensitive and caring demeanor allowing you to perceive the needs of others quickly making you a nurturer.  It’s no surprise why pouring love and life into others comes naturally for you.

E – You are such an encourager as you inspire, give hope, and confidence to those who know you. I feel you have grown as an encourager because you have had to endure many hardships in your own life giving you that sensitivity to cheer others on.

Y – You yearn to love Jesus and people better. You yearn for more wisdom, understanding, knowledge, etc.

You are a beautiful person not just outside, but inside too… it means a lot to me that you are my daughter and I will love you forever. A daughter like you is one of the greatest gifts in the world.

If the eyes are the window to the soul, this girl is warm hearted, trust worthy, deep, wise, and full of love. Blessed are those who know her.

A recent photo of her taken by her suster during Christmas.  

Flew to San Francisco with dad on business to celebrate Courtney’s 10th birthday. Her birthday dinner choice, prime rib at the Stinking Rose garlic restaurant.

Celebrating her 5th birthday in Oceanside, CA with the neighborhood crew at a McDonalds. Such a happy girl. Your 5th, 6th and 7th birthday were all in CA.

Courtney age 4 before her ballet recital. She loved being all dressed up in pink.

Born during an ice & snow storm in Fairfax, VA, She was 5 weeks early, weighing 5lbs 5oz, at 10:23am