Update 2:

(Things that have happened just since my last 'real' post, on Livia's 3rd Birthday)

♥ We went back to Indiana to celebrate our little girl's Birthday there ♥

• Livia had a Birthday Party at Gatti-Town with her Aunt Kee-Kee, Uncle Matt, Maggie, Nolan, & Garrett; and her Grandpa & Grandpa Fultz

Livie's pretty Birthday Cake

Some of my most favorite people in the whole wide world!

Liv getting ready to blow out her candles

Giving sweet Maggie some BIG lovin's!

And opening all her fabulous presents

FYI:  Her Aunt Kee-Kee & Uncle Matt absolutely spoilt her rotten!!!

The kids had tons of fun with rides & games

But all too soon, it was time to get ready to go...

The girls didn't even want to let go of each others' hands!

I feel so blessed that we've been able to spend the time that we have with our families -- in some ways, it's never enough... Not enough girls' nights, not enough play-dates, and not enough double-dates. But we're going to keep trying! And I'm still hoping to see my nephews play in at least one of their baseball games. 

• Livia had another Birthday Party at her Nana & Papaw's house. Almost everyone on her Mommy's side of the family (and friends!) came... And they spoiled her rotten too!

Since this party was at her Nana & Papaw's house, we thought a farm-themed cake would be perfect. And I've never seen a cuter, happier little cow!

Isn't The Donut Bank amazing?!

Liv had just woken up from a little cat-nap in this photo... So sweet & sleepy!

It wasn't long before she was wide awake & ready to blow out the candles

I was tickled pink that the triplets were there...

And they were even more tickled to see their Uncle Don

(the moment he arrived, they totally swarmed him!)

Before long, it was time for presents

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LOVE this one! She's literally inside the bag ~ haha!

And she's learning the love of shoes very early in life (that's my girl!)

I was so happy to have all our family & friends there!

↑ My 'Bestie' and her little ones ↓

Then we all went outside to see the baby kittens:

And even though I had to be talked into this pic, it turned out being one of my favorites:

Especially since this one was taken right after:

♥ So sweet ♥

So, those were Liv's Birthday Parties in a very small nutshell ☺

2 And a Half...

Today I realized that Livia is officially 2 & a half... I can't believe it was only 6 months ago that she was turning two! The time just goes by so fast...

With happy memories of Liv's 2nd Birthday, I decided to do an extra flashback to that wonderful day:

My Birthday Princess

We were so blessed to have friends & family there to attend Livia's Party. We decided to have it at Logans Roadhouse, mostly because they have good food at a very decent price. It was also a nice centralized location, so no one had to drive a great distance.

I got lots of wonderful pictures of Livia, and her guests. There were loads of photos, but I've picked out some of my favorites:

Here's Livia with her cousins:  Maggie, Nolan, & Garrett

I think this is actually one of the last times we saw them... Gosh, I miss those kids  :o(  Life just gets too busy sometimes, but I'm hoping I'll be able to get Liv over to see them for Halloween.

Livia & Maggie ~ Sweetest Friends

I also got some great pictures of the boys:

 

Nolan is so handsome, and he has such a great personality!

 

And Garrett - how cute it he?!

Livia just loves Garrett!

And of course I do too.

 

I can SO see his Daddy in him!

Speaking of, I even got one of Matt & Kendra:

 

They are such a beautiful couple  :o)

I also got one of Perry taking Liv over to her Papa Bill

 Livia just loves her Papa Bill

And she loves her Papaw too:

 My Dad had Livia a good portion of the evening

Though I did manage to get one of Livie & her Nana:

My Mom holding Liv with her best friend, Anne.

And finally, one of Liv with her Great-Gramma Pat:

She's actually wearing the shirt Gramma gave her!

More pictures I got of Livia with friends and family:

Shannon getting a kick outa Liv's singing

And Liv with her Uncle Michael & Aunt Laura

Michael was such a ham at the party! Case in point:

Yup, that's the man my sister married!

I still say they're a cute couple  :o)

 Our cousin Dakota was there too -- I love him to pieces.

So, back to Liv and her Party:

The very fun part came when her personal B-day cake came out:

She was so intrigued with that little cake!

She even did a good job blowing out the candles (no pics tho)

 And she loved the taste!

What proceeded to follow was reminiscent of her 1st Birthday:

 

Oh she was a mess!

But she also had a fabulous time, as any 2-year-old should!

 

Apart from one minor melt-down while opening presents, she was such a happy Birthday Girl. She kinda lost it when her Mommy didn't want her trying on all her new clothes. She seemed almost more excited about the clothes than the toys! Oh, what a girl she truly is!

Just a couple of pics of Livia all-smiles

 

I was blessed with so many wonderful memories of this day. One memory is somewhat bittersweet though... The last picture I'll ever have of my daughter with her Great-Aunt Melanie (and my Dad):

You probably wouldn't know from this picture, but dear Melanie was in the midst of battling Stage IV Lung Cancer... She was diagnosed towards the later part of last year, and at first we were all really hopeful since she was doing so well. My Aunt welcomed her second grandchild just a month after Liv's Birthday, and I know that Baby Jayla really helped to keep Melanie fighting.

Just less than 2 months ago, my Aunt Melanie lost her battle with cancer, and went Home. How I've prayed for my cousins & Jim (her husband)... I can't imagine loosing my own Mother at such a young age (47). But I also wouldn't wish for her one day more upon this earth. She was in so much pain... And now she's in in a place with "no more sorrows, no more pain". (I Will Rise - Chris Tomlin).

I still get tears in my eyes every time I hear that song. And I love the Spirit in which it was written. Chris has explained the inspiration behind that beautiful song, and here's just a small exert:

"Toward the end of the 'How Great is our God Tour,' Louie [Giglio] challenged me to write a song of worship for people in their hardest time of grief. We were talking about the reality that we need more songs like the hymn 'It is Well' that can be sung as worship and hope at a funeral; to be able to find words to say and sing in that moment of sorrow when you lose someone you love..."

Praise God for songs like that! To God be the Glory, for it is through Him that ALL things are done! Amen.