33 Things I Love About Lana
November 6th, 2008 | Filed under:
Dave's Musings, Special Events by
Dave ©
In honor of Lana’s 33rd birthday (tomorrow, November 7th), I am sharing 33 things about her that I absolutely love and appreciate. Here they are, in no particular order:
- She has a heart full of compassion
- She has a smile that lights up a room!
- She is smart
- She is caring
- She is unmaterialistic
- She is a great cook
- She is an excellent mother and wife (not just because she is a great cook…although that certainly helps!)
- She does whatever it takes to get through
- She is family-oriented
- She is studious, unrelenting until she finds the answer to her question/challenge
- She is not afraid to say, “I am sorry”
- She has great hair
- She is determined
- She is empathetic toward others
- She is sensitive
- She has beautiful blue eyes
- She is loyal
- She is a really great friend (in part, because she is so loyal)
- She has amazingly soft skin
- Her growing photography skills
- She is humble
- She has some pretty cool nicknames: at-Lana Braves, Lana Banana
- She loves God
- She is a great role model
- She is more interested in others than herself
- She is a wonderful conversationalist
- She is a listener…although she can certainly talk your ear off too!
- She is gentle and makes her southern heritage shine
- She is grounded (present-focused)
- She is adaptable
- She is supportive
- She has a really cool blog (and occasionally even lets me write on it…just kidding!)!
- She loves me even though she knows me!
Here is a picture of Lana that Lauren took recently:
I love you Lana! Happy Birthday.
What do you love and appreciate about Lana?
Happy Birthday.
I admire your willingness to share your love of God with everyone you meet.
love, hugs & prayers, monica
Birthday Lana! The quiet strength you have in being the mother of your children is just amazing. The sensitivity you show in loving my nephew and neices is amazing. The creativity you show in motherhood is amazing to see in spite of all the hardship. Your strength in the Lord and trust in His will in your lives is admirable. Thanks for being a wonderful addition to our family.
Hope you have a wonderful, happy and blessed birthday. We look forward to seeing what God has in your next year.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY… I remember the day your mom called me and ask me about going into labor and we knew you were on the way.. you have showed me how to be loving in all situations..through your writing..and actions.. you showed such acceptance to my family and christy without any judgement.. you never know how that love of people and God works in others hearts.. thank you for being you!
Happy Birthday Lana!!!!!!! I hope you have a wonderful day!
Lana, I think you are an amazing person… very inspirational. You are a caring mom and wife.. patient, even-keeled, loving.
It is not often, in my personal experience, that I meet people like you and Dave, whose faith is so strong but at the same time do not disparage other peoples faiths or views. You are strong in your beliefs and yet open to hearing all viewpoints. This is a very amazing characteristic and one I aspire to have one day.
Anyway.. I just wanted to say, have a great day mama! Much love. xoxo
I only know Lana through the boards and this blog, but I feel like I know her a bit since I follow these postings so often.
Happy Birthday, Lana! I admire and love your honesty, courage and faith and always feel inspired by it.
Enjoy your birthday!!!
Cheryl
Happy Birthday Lana. I have learned so much about faith from you. God bless!
dawn
Happy Birthday! You deserve it.
I hope you have the happiest birthday ever.
Even though I don’t know you personally I can tell you are an amazing woman! God has given you so much strength you probably didn’t even know you had. I am in awe of you and your family.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
There are so many things I love about you…
1. You are an amazing wife to my brother.
2. You are an amazing mama and you challenge me to be a better one myself.
3. You are such a good friend to me as well as a sister.
4. Going along with the last one: I can be really honest and open with you and you don’t make me feel like there’s something wrong with me.
5. Your love for the Lord. Your desire to serve Him in all things. That’s probably two things.
6. Your love for people and your willingness to share Christ with them.
7. Your creativity.
8. Your sweetness in all things.
9. This one is a bit selfish…but you are kind enough to sit and listen to me go on and on sometimes! I love our chats on the phone.
and…
10. Going back to being a wife to my brother…I learned early on in your marriage to Dave to appreciate that you challenge him to have a closer walk with Christ. From a sis that loves her brothers this one is a huge one! Thank you.
I now have to admit I didn’t read Dave’s list yet. It’s late and I just wanted to jump on and write something before the morning. I’ll have to go back later and read it…
Love you so much,
Have a wonderful day and I hope I remember to call and have the children sing to you!!!! lol
Trish
Lana,
What I love most about you is your unconditional love and compassion for others. I’ll never forget how you patiently stood beside me through the darkest days of depression - and I know that I was no joy to hang out with! You were so thoughtful and generous in helping me - blessing me with your fabulous cooking, your gift of conversation, and the comfort of your presence. You are a breath of fresh air with your honestly, your vulnerability in sharing, and your ability to make others feel safe and comfortable around you because you are so real. I am in awe of your unwavering commitment of time, creative fun, and love for your girls (especially considering how drained you must feel at times). Your quiet strength and unending perseverance inspire so many, and God is using you to shine His light despite very dark circumstances which would cause others to become angry and bitter. I hope that on your special day you get a sense of how much you are loved, and what a tremendous difference you have made in so many of our lives by simply being you. Happy Birthday Lana!
Love, Christina
Happy Birthday Lana, I admire your character, which I guess includes every thing your husband listed. I only know you from this site and I can see why Dave is a very fortunate man, oh yea, and you can cook! Now there is a virtue I really admire in a woman. HEHE. I am from the south too and my second girlfriend always brought me food because she said her mama told her “the way to a mans heart is through his stomach”. Funny how I remember that. I hope you have a great day. God bless. In Christ, Joe
Happy Birthday, Lana…. It’s your visual stories that you share through the photography that allows me to see your heart and soul. It’s your love that comes flowing through that Light and Expression. God speaks through you and I only know you through this blog site. Have a blessed day. Love in Christ, Betty.
Dear Mama,
I hope you have a fun birthday party! I hope you get lots of presents (she said this with a HUGE grin on her face).
lovelauren
Happy Birthday Lana! 1975 was a great year! Hope you have a wonderful day.
Happy birthday, Lana!
I am so awed by your faith in the midst of unbelievable challenges. And I always enjoy reading your posts. I pray for your family every day.
Carolyn
Happy Birthday Lana. I hope you have a wonderful day with your family.
I only know you from your blog and from the forums but I so admire you. You have great strength and determination. You are so willing to share your story with us. You have a beautiful family! Happy, happy birthday!
Lana,
Like many others, I admire your ability to not just cope with difficult circumstances but actually thrive in them and see God’s purpose through them all.
I am privileged and thrilled to be your husband!
Loving you on your birthday and always,
Dave
Happy Birthday Lana. Your girls are blessed to have such an amazing mom.
I love that she is an incredible daughter-in-law.
I love that she loves us (or at least does a pretty good job of acting like she does)!
I love that she always makes us feel welcome and wanted.
I love that she loves to shop - especially at the Christian Book Store!
I love that she has taught her daughter to love her grandparents.
I love that she shares her husband with his mother and encourages him to spend time talking to her (me :D).
I love that she has her priorities straight.
I love that she is a good listener and talker (anyone who sits and listens to her mother-in-law and acts like she loves talking to her is ABSOLUTELY a good listener!!)
I love that she shares her heart and listens for your opinion.
I love that she loves her husbands family like her own.
(that is 10 loves for the 10 years she has been in our family!)
Happy Birthday!
I think one of the best qualities that you have, Lana, is patience. I’ve seen you and dave interact with each each other and appreciate how much you both love each other and show that love by being patient. You have made a huge difference in dave’s life, as well as your two beautiful princesses!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LANA!!!
I think Lana is an AMAZING mom to Lauren & Carmen. The things she does and the memories she is building for the family, WOW! I also want to thank you for welcoming us into and sharing your lives with so many. You will never know just how much your lives touch others just through this blog. Thank you.
Though I don’t know you, I wept as I read your husband’s beautiful entry, and I am honored to be a part of your birthday response today! You are an incredible Mom, and he’s certainly an incredible Husband and Dad! I would love to meet you both someday - and your gorgeous daughters! God has chosen you for this journey together, and I’m so happy that you’re sharing it with those of us who have found you! May you have a Birthday that shines above all others, and may the peace of Jesus be upon you all the day through…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Love,
Sandi
http://www.jerryandsandirectenwald.com
I hope you get at least 33 responses!
Sandi
I’m compelled to send another… I agree with everyone here. Awesome. And, Sandi Rectenwald’s posting speaks it all from me, as well. Happy Happy Birthday, Lana. What a blessings to walk here with you all. Love and Blessings, Betty.
Happy Birthday Lana. You have such a beautiful family. Enjoy your special day.
Best wishes,
Kara
Happy Birthday, Lana! You’re an inspiration to me, and I love reading your blog. Thank you for sharing your lives and your journey with us. I hope you have an AMAZING day! Today is my 22nd birthday, so GO us with the double numbers! In 11 years, Lana, I just hope that I can be like you–so strong in God (even in weakness) and so willing to make the best out of life and to bring life to everyone around you. I thank God that He chose to share you with the rest of us. Love from Switzerland,
Tina
Since the time that Dave first introduced you to the family, you have been a perfect fit, in his life and ours. You are a great thinker from the heart, meaning, you always seem to balance head and the heart matters when making decisions and offering advice.
I remember telling Karen a number of times, early in your relationship with Dave, that “I don’t think Lana likes me too much.” I don’t exactly recall why I felt that way, I just remember being a bit distraught because I knew you were a really great person and I did not want to bring friction into the family or relationship. There was something special about you and I worked hard to “impress” you.
As the years have gone by, we’ve watched you guys struggle over some tough stuff and repeatedly we are reminded of the quality human being you are. Thanks for giving of yourself and being a great example for us and our children.
FELIZ CUMPLEANOS !!!!
You are a wonderful human being, from the first time I met you I knew I would like you and it was so nice to get to know you and your family, as always we all miss you all vevy much. You are a wonderful mother, wife, daughter and friend. Enjoy your day!!
And I wish you many many more
Hi Lana,
Happy Birthday!!! You have the sweetest husband! I love what a kind and compassionate person and mother you are. It is great you let the girls put the Christmas tree up so early! I also love that posted that great Indian dish recipe last night. It inspired my sweet husband to make something similar for dinner last night and it was yummy!
Happy Birthday! Hope Carmen’s c-diff is on its way out!
Hugs and prayers,
Kim
Happy Birthday, Lana!
I appreciate your kind spirit and your desire to make things better for others - like Carmen. <3
Have a wonderfully special day!
(And by the way, you aren’t the only family member with “growing photography skills”… I’d say Lauren’s are pretty impressive too!
God Bless,
Becky
Happy Birthday Lana!
Thank you for being an inspiration to moms and women everywhere!
Denise
Happy Birthday I may not KNOW you but coming here, seeing you and your family I am blessed everytime.
I love that you are sharing this journey.
I love that He is guiding you .
I love that I can send people here to be inspired
Like I said I don’t know you but these come to mind readily….
Hope your birthday is blessed.
a sister in Christ becky
Happy Birthday Lana, I have met you a couple of times at the CV Presbyterian church and even in being introduced once, your inner bright light shines through. I love the picture that Lauren took. Again, just looking at your eyes, one can see your faith shining there.
God has chosen you to co-parent with Dave for a special little girl, no let’s make that 2 special little girls and you have accepted with love. You are an inspiration to others.
I don’t know Lana personally, but I love her willingness to share about the times when she is feeling overwhelmed and fragile. I also enjoy the pictures she takes!
Happy birthday!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LANA!
I hope you have a wonderful birthday and that you do something fun. You are an incredible person Lana. You are a wonderful mother who is kind, loving, patient, and just an all around wonderful person. I have seen how much you love your family and how much you and Dave have gone through with taking care of Carmen. You truly are incredible inspiration and just a beautiful person inside and out.
Have a wonderful day!
Martina
Mom to Ella, Nicklaus, Joseline
Happy Birthday Lana!
I don’t know you well, but i remember meeting you at Terry’s Bible Study a couple of years ago (several years ago??) and i told my husband about you that night becuase i just thought you were so sweet and enjoyed talking with you so much! I still think you are amazingly sweet and I love how you are holding on to Jesus through this tough time. I also love how much you love your family - what a wonderful wife and mom you are. It is truly inspiring. I also love how real you are, you don’t pretend this is easy at all and you share the hard times, but you’ve chosen the higher path and are walking it with deep integrity. May God Bless you and your dear family with His richest blessings! In His love, Wendy
Although I have never met your family, I have come to understand through a friend, who is you Hospice Caring volunteer, what a strong, loving, compassionate and faithful family you all are. God bless you all and a special happy birthday to Lana.
Happy 33rd Birthday Lana!
Then… I appreciated what a great roommate you were.
Now… I am continually blessed by your ability to share your life with the rest of us. You remind us not to take the little stuff for granted. Thanks so much.
Happy Birthday Lana!
You truly are a woman of God and I am thankful for the privilege of getting to know you. I look forward to the days when our families can be together. I have always enjoyed spending time with you. You are an encouragement and an inspiration for me. Thanks for being You!
Have a Great Day!!
Lana,
How can I begin to express how I feel about you as my daughter. I wanted a daughter so much from the time that I found that I was pregnant in the early part of 1975. I was so intent on getting my daughter that when you were born I exclaimed, “It’s a girl!!” The doctor responded with, “That was my line!”
As a little girl you were so sweet and caring. I remember my cousin Lorelei telling me, “Lana is just too good.”
I enjoyed every year of your life at home, each one being so amazing as I watched you grow up and mature into such an extraordinary person.
It’s difficult to say what I admire most about you because I can’t think of anything that I don’t admire. But I’ll try….I admire your sweet and gentle spirit, the way you were always so concerned with what was right and moral as you grew up, your compassion for others (remember Linney), your desire from an early age to please God and to grow in your faith, your loyalty as a friend to others, your choice of friends from different cultures and backgrounds, your desire to adopt and your motives behind that desire, your fun personality, your generosity, your great ideas, and your good cooking. You are an incredible Christian, daughter, friend, wife, and mother. I feel so blessed that you are my daughter and I’m so very proud of you. I love you and wish you a GREAT BIRTHDAY!!!
Mom
Lana, have a great day! You are truly an amazing mom and thank you for sharing your life with those of us in cyberspace! Happy Birthday…
Happy Birthday Lana!
You don’t know me - but I frequently read your blog. As a mom of 2 young girls myself, you are a HUGE inspiration to me. Your compassion, realness, commitment are such a blessing to me. Reading your blog helps me to dig my heels in the sand and continue to strive to be the wife/mom/servant etc that I was created to be. Thanks so much for being an open book. You are helping people all over the globe, I’m sure.
Lots of Love-
What I admire most about Lana is her kindness. She has always been kind to me as a brother.
Love,
Kevin
Hey Lana! I am very sorry that I’m late, but I wanted to wish you happy birthday and everything life has of the most beautiful!!!
I admire you for how strong you are!
I know it’s been a very short time since I began to check your blog every single day, but that was enough to make my faith in God grow up! You and your family deserve the best!!!
I love you all for making me believe in things that I didn’t before!!!
Thank you so much Lana for being the person you are (even though I don’t know you in person) and for touching so many lives around the word! God bless you and your family!!
(I hope you understand everything i wrote)
Juliana - Brazil
I love your tender heart and the way you say, “Awww” when you’re touched. I love your spunk and the way you say, “Hey!” with your Southern draw and a smile when you’re offended. Most of all, I love your laugh, how it comes so easily and how it brings joy to my heart whenever I hear it (which is not often enough). Happy Birthday, Lana! I love you!
Happy Birthday from your aunts! We’re all going out to eat at Ralph & Kakoo’s to celebrate your birthday!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LANA!
I love your way with words and your willingness to share your thoughts and feelings in this blog. I love the pictures you include that help me fully understand what you’re going through — like the picture of Carmen’s medicines recently. I studied that picture and thought, “Wow . . . MY parenting doesn’t involve needles and syringes!” I was immediately awed and then abruptly profoundly grateful for my healthy children. Lana (and Dave!), you’re amazing.
I love that you motivate me to appreciate my own family in ways I had never thought to before and inspire me to be a better mom than I am. What a gift — thank you!
I hope you have a wonderful evening and a super birthday weekend!
Happy birthday, Lana! I admire your kindness and transparency. You are a true “Steel Magnolia.” I love how you and Dave have inspired me and my family to be better people and Christians.
P.S. I owe you a cake!
Happy birthday to a wonderful friend who:
1. is so thoughtful in everything she does and say
2. is encouraging even when she goes through hard times
3. is patient with me
4. is non-judgmental
5. is a follower of God
6. has a positive attitude in everything she does
7. is a great cook
8. is honest
9. is compassionate
10. is hardworking
and much more…
What a great job Dave did. I love that we’re friends!
Happy Birthday, Lana! Your faith in God is astounding and the way you mother both of your girls is the kind of mom I can only aspire to become! I look to you for guidance more than you could ever know! God bless and have a wonderful birthday!
Mary Cairns
Happy Happy birthday to someone who, through words and pictures, inspires me.
Hi Lana, looks like I missed your birthday by a couple hours, but maybe the time zone difference will make up for it! Anyway, just wanted to say that I’ve always appreciated your sense of humor. You’re not an easy person to be negative around.
Lana Happy 33rd B-day!!! I have always tried to keep up on your post on your blog, you have shown me how to be so strong for our son. I admire you for your strength and courage.
I know I’m a little late but Happy Birthday Lana! I don’t think I’ve ever posted on here, but I check in and pray for you often. I also wanted to let you know that I really admire you as a Mom. Your faithfulness in every situation encourages and motivates me to not take the little things for granted and make the most of every minute of every day with my boys! You’re a very giving and humble woman of God. Instead of complaining about your situation you make the most of every day! Thanks for being a great friend. God is really using you and your faithfulness to Him. Dave and Carmen and Lauren are all so blessed to have you!
Lana,
So, I’m really late at this!!! Sorry! But I do hope your birthday was special. I was reading this verse the other day: “Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom” -Psalm 90:12. After reflecting on that I said to Steve, “I think Lana and Dave have learned what this means”. From reading your blog I can tell that you just enjoy everyday life and don’t get caught up in petty and insignificant things. I think you have a heart of wisdom in how you live your life. That’s a rare thing in this world. Thanks for your example!
-Sarah
Thank you everyone and thank you Dave. You are a wonderful, wonderful husband!
Lana, Happy Belated Birthday!!! You have the same birthday that my grandmother did. A very special day indeed. Glad you had a good day!!!
Our day was so busy (and crappy) that i never got a chance to sign on your b-day - so happy belated!!!! You husband is the sweetest - this is such a great idea. Think of you often!!!!