15 Life Inspirational Quotes

"Be that strong girl that everyone knew would make it through the worst, be that fearless girl, the one who would dare do anything, be that independent girl who didn't need a man; be that girl who never backed down."

a Star is Born....

at 11:16 AM, May 31st 1998, on a warm and sunny Sunday morning at Chandler Regional Hospital, Alexis Anne-Marie Szoke entered the world at a perfect 8lbs and 21 inches

....and the world as we knew it would never be the same

Happy Birthday Lexi, Love Mom and Dad

Happy Birthday Alexis!!! I am so glad that Sofi has found a friend like you! I hope you have an awesome bithday!!

- Mari

Poised

That’s my word for her. Simply remarkably poised! Happy Birthday Alexis!

Love, Gloria

To my friend who's wise beyond her years,

    A song that although sparked an intense battle where many soldiers(aka cellphones) were injured, is also probably one of the few times were i have never laughed harder in my entire life. Alexis, you have been my friend even when we were just those awkward little girls in the second grade and only knew each other because of Abby. A friendship that not many thought would of lasted, sparked a lifetime bond between two girls who know each other better than they know themselves. Those two girls who would just walk around the playground talking, occasionally stop to talk to a group but slowly found themselves to drift from the group. Wrapped inside of there own little world, suddenly found their bond strengthened by two more. No longer was it just two girls who lived in this secluded world but two more unlikely friends entered the scene. One who read more in one day than the average person reads in a lifetime and another who is as sweet as can be and loved by all have completed our own little world. The four of us, ACES, ESCAPE, those crazy girls in the back corner, call us what you will but no matter where we are, nothing can separate us and nothing could ever come become between us. 

      You're finally 15, i cant even believe it seems as if it was only a few years ago when your mama was picking me up to go your surprise birthday dinner. You have truly been my rock through all the craziness in my life. You made the complicated seem so simple, and helped me through situations that i knew the answer to but was just to blind to see. You are truly my friend who is wise beyond her years. You make me think about things that I would of never thought about.
 I know that forever and always you have my back and i will forever and always have yours :) i love ya girly with all my heart :) i cannot wait for what the future holds, the memories to be created, and the adventures that we shall experience. We will be those old ladies feeding the birds talking about some crazy childhood story, the one that our grand kids have heard a thousand times, but always have to endure listening to when they see us. (iconic alexis and sofi hand gesture)

 Tip #1 from your friend who keeps you on your toes: "be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" - Dr. Suess
 

-Sofia 

15 Life Inspirational Quotes

"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand"

15 Life Inspirational Quotes

"don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive.  Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

A Poem for You

by L.A. Hopkins

When God made my daughter, He knew the perfect fit

for making me the proudest mom

that a mother could ever get.

He chose the perfect angel, with the sweetest heart.

With the most loving spirit AND extremely smart.

She lights up the room, with her radiance so bright.

She's patient, kind and caring

morning, noon and night.

For when God made my daughter, it was He who understood

He clipped her wings and kissed her cheek

and vowed with just a few words.

This child will be a special gift to the world and all around

She will change life as we know

.....and then He sent her down.


Happy Birthday Bitty!  Thank you for giving me the best gift of my life on this day, YOU!

I love you,
Mama

15 Life Inspirational Quotes

“I believe there’s an inner power that makes winners or losers. And the winners are the ones who really listen to the truth of their hearts.”

A Little Angel

Big Birthday Shout Out to my girl LEXIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII JJJJJ

 

Alexis, you are an amazing person. I am always so impressed the way you carry yourself and how mature and kind you are. I always look at you and think about having a daughter just like you. You are a prime example of a teenager who can have tons of fun but carry herself with a class. I hope I do as good job as your mama to raise my girl. If know it is going to be hard,  well I can always send her over to you to take care of her and call it long time babysitting  lol  

I love you Lexi MUAHHHH God bless you and I hope you get everything you deserve and much more in life. 
 

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Harman

Tinka and Veronika

I will never forget the first time I met Alexis, when Mrs. Wright asked me to help her get settled on her first day of school. She was wearing a blue dress with a matching headband, and we were instantly friends. When she walks into a room, sunshine pours in. She just has this way of bringing happiness to people, unlike any other person I've ever met. Even after six years, I still find myself thinking about our unsuccessful attempt at a lemonade stand, our talent show skit, our frequent sleepovers, and other flashes of time spent together.

Her vivaciousness and creative talent will get her far in life, and I hope we can see each other again soon.

 

With love,

 

Tinka & Veronika Peterka

 

 

 

Insightful

Alexis, I have always felt privileged to know you and call you my friend! Your charm and patience, your love and kindness and your wisdom and understanding have always inspired me in a tremendous ways! You touch everyone’s life that you come in contact with in a very special way! I wish you a Happy Birthday and a wonderful year full of joy and love to follow!

 

Arsia  aka Arsha

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Sofi and Lex, Through the Years....

US THROUGH THE YEARS...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                       

Dear Miss Alexis,

Happy Birthday! The day you were born was a special day!! You've touched many lives with your tender spirit, and because you've always made others feel so special on their Birthday's (a couple photo's attached) We're wishing you a day filled with fun, laughter and lots of love!!

Drew and I both wanted to sing Happy Birthday but thought these two Birthday songs had a better beat...ha,ha!! Enjoy your day and look forward to seeing you soon!!

Big hugs and lots of love,

Jennifer, Drew & Lucky

Mary Powers

 

 

 

Here's looking at you Lexi! You are my hot chocolate girl, my French fry partner, and my travel buddy/ navigator. I am happy to call you my friend. And when anyone, especially your mom, gets out of hand, you tell her " run bitch run"! cuz you don't wear short sleeved pants like they do! *snap*

Wishing the best on your special day!

 

 

 ......"the voice of reason"  Your mom chasing me around the gift shop as if no one else is watching....

 

My Darling Alexis!!!!

Ahhhhh, My Love!

 

 

 

No one else was using color, so I decided to spice things up! I was worried when I saw that Sofe had hit up this blog before me, but alas! I am relieved she didn't take all of the good inside jokes! I see she went the philosophical route, which leaves me as the person who makes you laugh when you get really over emotional due to the other posts.

 

How did we even become friends? This is a question that haunts me often. I remember you from when we were really young, but frankly, I can just see you and Sofe plotting my downfall as 7 year olds, lamenting over how I used to torture our pore Sofoffel. I also remember being very jealous of your gorgeous long hair, because these were the days that my mother basically had a bowl put on my head and told the hairdressers to just cut off whatever hung out. You and Sofe always seemed so lost in your own world to the point that I thought I could never be blessed enough to be counted amongst one of your true friends.

 

I also remember in kindergarten, when I had delusions of grandeur, I was convinced that I was able to hypnotize you with my eyes. You went along with it, probably because you didn't want to be the one to break it to the young, "innocent" me that magic didn't exist. I remember thinking that a certain person with the initials MM didn't deserve your friendship because I thought she was awful to you. In all honesty, that was probably a bit hypocritical, considering how I would bully Sofe.

 

And somehow, a great friendship was forged, over games of four square and with the realizations that maybe my current friends weren't the best, and how I might do better. And in my quest to do better, I managed to gain the two people who had always seemed a world above mine, and an odd girl from New York with an oversized coat.

 

 

You guys probably could've done better than me, but I'm happy that you were oblivious to that fact, because now I get to spend the summer with my favorite people in the entire world, completing with a smile the job that in any other world would make me want to find a tall building and end it all (kids, BLEGH!).

I love you so much, you don't even know. The four of us are going to grow old and senile together, while torturing our husbands. Happy birthday to the most wonderful person I have every known.

Elinor Freaking Sauer

Get Down, Get Down, Get Down Tonight!

"Back in the Day" 1998

 

 

these were the times of '98

• Free Willy star Keiko goes to Iceland for eventual release back into the wild.
• Worlds biggest airport in the world opens in Hong Kong
• Windows 98 released by Microsoft on June 26th
• The Search Engine Google is founded.
• 19 European nations agree to forbid human cloning.
• Apple Computer unveils the iMac 

• President Bill Clinton Impeached for perjury and obstruction of justice.
• Microsoft becomes biggest Company in the World valued at $261bn on the New York Stock Exchange
• The two oil companies Exxon and Mobil merge to create the worlds largest petroleum company
• New harder to counterfeit $20.00 bills enter circulation

• The Winter Olympic Games are held in Nagano, Japan
• BMW buys Rolls-Royce cars for $570 million
• France Wins 1998 World Cup in France
• Europeans agree on a single currency the Euro
• US Announces first budget surplus in 30 years
• During 1998 with the technology maturing e-commerce started to take off as more and more companies decided to create a presence on the Internet with their own web sites.

Popular TV Shows:  Friends, Teletubbies, Southpark, ER, Stargate SG-1, Blues Clues

Popular Films:  Something About Mary, Titanic, Armageddon, A Bugs Life, The Big Lebowski, Saving Private Ryan, Mulan

Sunshine

I simply ADORE my granddaughter.  I am so grateful to have her in my life.  She just doesn't bring SUNSHINE into my life, she brings that special essence that is only Alexis.  To say she is beautiful, talented, sweet, kind and caring is an understatement.  She lives these qualities.  That makes her the super special person she is.  She doesn't have to try to be something she is not.  Alexis is the kind of young lady you want for a friend, daughter, granddaughter.  I am so happy she is mine!!

I Love You forever and always.....SUNSHINE

Happy 15th BIRTHDAY!!

gMa

Little Monkey

It was about 12ish years ago that I met you and you were the cutest, funniest little monkey there could be!  I still remember eating Domino's pizza and cheese sticks with you sitting on the sofa with the little white dog....Lady was her name maybe?  I still have a photo of you and her from the last visit made to Scottsdale!

You've always been an amazing and very special princess don't ever let anybody lead you away from that.  Always make yourself number 1 and don't look back!  You're such a leader and a great inspiration to everybody's life you touch.

Happy 15th birthday little monkey!!  All the love and hugs to you on your very OWN day!

xoxoxo

Trish

15 Life Inspirational Quotes

"fall in love when you are ready, not when you are lonely"

Birthday Wish from Curly

Happy 15th Birthday to my beautiful, talented and artistic granddaughter! 

Love,

Curly

Dearest Alexis

ALEXIS! Oh my gosh you do not even know how excited I am to see your adorable face again! You know how Bieber fever was going around, yeah, I have now a Szoke strokeyy (I couldn’t find a sickness that rhymedJ)! Whenever you are around, you brighten up everyone’s day around you! You have this super cool gift that you are actually amazing and I am so blessed to have you in my life. I know this is supposed to be sorta serious, but I just HADD to add a little story time… It was a late night at Eli’s house, I believe we were playing the sophisticated yet challenging game of, yes, spoons. You had to pee, so you excused yourself and the next thing we know, you strutted out of that bathroom saying, “Um, Eli, your toilet is overflowing…” In a rush Eli ran to her dad who said those infamous two words that I still laugh about today… “Dammit Elinor!” I actually don’t think I have laughed that hard in life… But now it’s serious time…

 Ehemm, Alexis, you are honestly one of the most, NAY, probably the most honest and down to earth person I know and I am so incredibly blessed to have you as a sister (from another mista..hayyyy)! You truly have knowledge beyond your years and you are someone that I know will always be there for me, and I hope you know I will always be there for you. You have this natural and genuinely-good way about you that inspires me to be a better person. I am so happy we have become so close and that we have stayed friends after all of these years. You are truly an amazing gift from God and I know that you, me, sof, and eli will be friends forever…even when we are in an old-folks home with applesauce screaming at those hoodlums!!! You are incredibly talented in like everything you do and when you are famous for something I will be there in the crowd like HEY, SHES MY FRIEND! Ahh what a future the four of us are going to have. Thank you for all of the laughter and happiness you have brought me, and thanks for being youJ

Love,

Chantal <3

P.S. be prepared when I see you, because there will be a lot of hugging (*sniffle sniffle*tackling)

Digital Morphed Version of YOU!

So...I had a little fun looking to see the accuracy of what a morphed photo of your Dad and of Me would be....and here it is, the digitally Morphed version of Alexis Szoke....pretty close, eh?

 

 

 

 

Fifteen Memories of You and Me :)

1. Our secret hideout stash of supplies in my bathroom for when we ran away from my father
2. "The Game" that we would play when you came over
3. watching Horton Heres a Who with you and your mama
4. Going totally crazy in the back of my car after my bday dinner and realizing that we were being watched by the girls in the car next to us 
5. Watching the Wizard of Oz for the first time
6. Tranquilita, La Parilla Suiza, Get Down Get Down Get Down Tonight! Pinacalala, de bien bien bien, 0< >0
7. spying on my sister and sam on New Years Eve
8. Halloween with Eli, Chantal, you and me at Elinors neighbor hood: rape whistle, gogo boots, creepy alley
9. Going to Tempe Market Place and walking into the jewelry store and being followed by the manager until we left
10. Your surprise birthday party that your mom threw for you (aka your favorite birthday like EVER)
11. our daily lunch walks throughout the 6th grade
12. going to the mall and seeing the look alike Santa  sleeping on a couch 
13. Iconic Alexis-Sofi hand gestures that only we know
14. You coming over and going directly to the syrup bottle 
15. When we became best friends,the one person who without, i would have no one to keep me sane when needed, and be insane with all of the other times

Happy Birthday!!!! <3 <3
-Sofi 

~ The Winds of Change ~

~ The Winds of Change ~ The winds of change are swirling around you. Tilt your head back and feel the breeze. At times they seem to be quite stormy, leaving you filled with uncertainties. The winds of change Can be harsh at times. Capturing your spirit, and suppressing your mind. Open up, relax, and let them flow. Soon Alexis, you’ll come to know; that if you listen, oh so carefully to your inner faith it will bring you clarity. In time, the storms will come to pass and the Son will come shining through. Bask in his warmth, it will comfort your heart and God will reveal what he has for you...

Love,

Nita Owens

Your Mom as June Cleaver??

 

So I came across this one while perusing through our photos of your earlier years and I kind of like this picture because it depicts me as one of my many fine samplings of "mom of the year" poses...never being the conformist, it has been alot of fun making up the rules to what being a good mom means for our relationship (maybe not as many freshly baked cookies or the white picket fences)...but my version of what being a great mom means.  Our relationship is a testament to that.  Plus, having misplaced the instruction manual when you were born, I can honestly say...it has worked out quite nicely by default! Yep, this picture of me with your peers portraits me on my best behavior--of course only when the teacher was watching, wink.. :) in this case a picture isn't worth a thousand words...and anyways, how did I actually get past the parents policing the parking lot??  Yep, definitely not the idealistic version of June Cleaver...but the modern day version of Leslie Hopkins, Alexis's mom.  Because of you, being a mom has exceeded my expectations exponentially.  Because of who you are, I feel blessed in every sense of the word to have been chosen to be your mom.  Because of you, many others have been inspired to have bitty bees of their own!  

Thank you Bitty for always enjoying me for being me and not being the daughter who wishes her mom was just a little "cooler".  I am a much better version of myself, because of you. 

 

Happy Birthday to the Love of My Life

 

BTW  Elinor and Sofia...remember that one sleepover for Lex's birthday when we all went knockin?  .....yeah....THAT definitely was not a "June Cleaver" moment!  Sorry Eli!! :)

15 Life Inspirational Quotes

"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are"

The Meaning of Your Name

From the Greek name Αλεξις (Alexis), which meant "helper" or "defender", derived from Greek αλεξω (alexo) "to defend, to help". This was the name of a 3rd-century BC Greek comic poet, and also of several saints. It is used somewhat interchangeably with the related name Αλεξιος or Alexius, borne by five Byzantine emperors. In the English-speaking world it is more commonly used as a feminine name.

Factual Fact:  Alexis is the 26th most popular girl's name in the USA

It's a derivative of ancient Greek, so cool!  Doesn't this sound so much more profound than your mom's old "bar name" that I would give out as an alias to my actual name....?? 

here is a little more fun version (one of the cleaner ones I found) of your name from Urban Dictionary:

Alexis "If you’re like me this name sends a tingle down your spine... Alexis's are the most beautiful girls in the world and their personalities are just as beautiful. You will fall in LOVE with her so fast and quickly realize it’s a connection like no other. She will put a smile on your face even on the worst days. They are kind, caring, sweet, compassionate, ravishing, breath taking, astonishing, funny, amazing and honestly perfect... you will think they came from heaven. She is an amazing artist and photographer. She will finish your sentences which is so god damn cute. She will always be there for you when you need someone. When you are talking to one her voice is so soothing you wouldn't want her to stop. Her voice will put you in such a world of happiness and I’m telling you every chance you get you will want to talk to her and be with her... You will feel like the luckiest guy in the world. If you’re in love with one listen to your heart beat... it’s definitely beating her name... You will be able to share anything with her and you will become close to her very quickly and be prepared because you will never have a day were you will not smile because of Alexis... If you are lucky enough to be with an Alexis never ever let her go and hold on tight... She will quickly be the most important person in your life and the connection between Alexis to you will become clear and wow you. You will love her so much forever and always."

Alexis Anne-Marie Szoke - Unique in so many ways that I have yet succeeded in finding another Alexis Szoke in the google search...it's true.

"BIG"

Big eyes, big personality, big dreams and big possibilities in the future for this girl. Alexis has been a talented writer, sensitive and aware of her surroundings and smart far beyond her years from a very young age.

I and Mason wish you a very happy birthday!  We wish you all your dreams to come true and really looking forward to future updates on your fascinating journey. 

 

With love,

 

Natasha and Mason  

Angel

To be completely honest I am blessed to have you both. Every time I think about you both I thank God for bringing the most genuine and real people who cares about me as much as I care about them in my life and put smile on my face!!!

My God Daughter Alexis, you are a sweet mature, a daughter any parent would want to have, a friend, and all may God give you many more years to come and I pray I will be around to celebrate this special day with you!!!

Happy Birth day!!!

Love you both from the bottom of my heart!!!

Love love love you!!!

Gezelligheid

Gezelligheid is Dutch and it means comfort and coziness of being at home, with friends, with loved ones, or general togetherness.

My message to Alexis: Hi, Alexis.  I know we weren't besties when you were in AZ, but like people say, "you don't know what you have until it's gone."  I hope when you're in town we can meet up sometime.  Have a spectacular 15th birthday.  Happy birthday, Alexis!

Fun fact: On May 31, 1897 Madison Square Garde opened.

Love,
Chenay Gladstone

15 Life Inspirational Quotes

"Find the guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot, who calls you back when you hang up on him, who will lie under the stars and listen to your heartbeat, or stay awake just to watch you sleep. The one who turns to his friends and says, 'thats her'".

Believer

I remember when I went to pick up Lexi from school and I was late.  She texted me and told me she would go hide in the bathroom...I called her out for joking, saying she was giving me a hard time...but then I found out that she was being honest and had to stand on the toilet hiding until I got there...to make it all the "better", I did not text her when I pulled up on purpose, because I thought she was messing with me..so she had to stay hiding standing on the toilet for even longer...

 

Gosh how I love your little girl, to sum up her as a person in one word I can only say "Believe"

She believes in herself, and believes in the goodness in the world.  That is a characteristic that some lose, especially at her age, and losing that can change a person forever. Now back in Kansas City, I find things I wrote from when I was here age and I can't believe I wrote them.  She has a gift, I once had it too...what she is doing it with is much different than what I did with my gift.  I will always look up (yes she is probably taller than me, and metaphorically she reminds me of the true spirit I have inside myself).  Lexi is Believing...she is not one to want, she doesn't think about wants.  She dreams...and she believes and her dreams come true.  Lexi, you are a very blessed special person, who is no longer a little girl, as you grow up and grow into the "old soul" inside you, honor yourself.

Be strong, as you have kept your mother on her path and are a light to everyone who meets you.  I am blessed we crossed paths.  

 

In yoga, the term Namaste is said to translate to "The light I see in you is the light I see in me"  Thank you Lexi, for the light I see, for you, "The Believer" I will do my best to believe.  

 

Happy Birthday, Sweetie, I love you.

Blissfully,

Ashley    

From Gucci and Charlie

15 Life Inspirational Quotes

“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.”

So...you know those birthday moustache cards where you can take the moustache off and promote it......

 

they ain't got nutt'n on us....btw, shouldn't we be collecting royalties for this brilliant idea of ours????

15 Life Inspirational Quotes

"You cannot be lonely if you like the person you’re alone with"

Gerald and Tracey Costigan

Congratulations on another birthday!   Thankfully through social media we have all been able to see your creativity. Your post and photos display a great deal of maturity. Thank you for sharing the photos and videos and keep up the great work.

Love,

Gerald, Tracey and Courtney

15 Life Inspirational Quotes

     "If people are truly, madly, deeply in love with each other, they will find a way"

Lexi Girl

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 Life Inspirational Quotes

"Everything will be alright in the end, if it's not alright, then it's not the end"

Cette Femme a Je ne Sais Qua

Cette femme a je ne sais qua; french for a girl having certain qualities that cannot be explained....special.

Here are a few words that we all came up with independently when thinking of you Alexis...your words. I thought it pretty cool that 3 people submitted "angel" as their word for you. I'd say that's about right. All of these are very admirable qualities and characteristics to have and live your life by. Celebrating our girl Alexis

15 Life Inspirational Quotes

"I believe in everything until its disproved.  So I believe in fairies, the myths, dragons.  It all exists, even if it's in your mind.  Who's to say dreams and nightmares aren't as real as the here and now?"

it just wouldn't be a birthday celebration without my traditional.....

you got it....me channelling my inner Marilyn Monroe....

 

 

This year, with us being apart, you will be receiving the over-the-phone version...be ready :)

15 Life Inspirational Quotes

"Nothing is impossible, the word itself says, I'm possible"

Gemini

 

 

LUCKY girl :)

15 Life Inspirational Quotes

“Respect your efforts, respect yourself. Self-respect leads to self-discipline. When you have both firmly under your belt, that’s real power.”

You're the BESTEST Big Sister!!!

Happy Birthday Alexis! 

Love,

Your Brothers

The Big Rally

 

Alexis's 15th birthday is coming up in a few short weeks and I wanted to put together a special online birthday card attributed to Alexis from many of the special people who have touched our lives.  I am so proud and grateful to have such an amazing person to call daughter and thrilled to share her special day in this way!  Her best friends and I are collaborating together to make this a success but we need each of you to really make it special for her!  

Hearing from you with either a nice memory, words of wisdom, picture, a happy thought or a simple birthday wish would make her feel so loved!  We are both very blessed to have such amazing people that have shared in our journey and memories like these are naturally that much better when shared!

***to help me out with a special part of the blog, please place in the subject of the email 1 word that you would say describes Alexis; her word. 

Please email me back to leslieahopkins@hotmail.com with anything from the heart for her and we will be sure to post it up on her birthday blog at www.happybirthdayalexis.blogspot.com 

Secret Squirrel Style:  This is a big suprise for her and the big unviel will be on her birthday, Friday, May 31st!

Leslie 

15 Life Inspirational Quotes

“Sometimes you can have the smallest role in the smallest production and still have a big impact.”