Happy Birthday Meghan!

Oh honey, how did EIGHTEEN come so fast?

You've been waiting to be an official adult since about two days after you were born. I told you this day would come. So, how do you feel? I'll tell you how I feel-melancholy. I am having a hard time staying in the present. My mind keeps going back in time, eighteen years ago...

When the nurse gently placed a swaddled bundle in my arms I couldn't believe what I saw, fuzzy blond hair sticking up all over, and dimples so deep I would forever tease how I wanted to use them for my personal cereal bowls.

You gave me my first taste of mommyhood and I loved it. A blue-eyed blessing who squirmed until she got comfy in my lap, giggled at silly mommy-faces and squealed with toddler joy when you laid eyes on me after my long day at work. I fell in love with you each and every day.

Eighteen years ago my eyes were opened to something I'd never experienced before. Holding you, I understood what my own mother felt for me. Mother's love. The physical heaviness of it placed in my very arms on the second floor of an old hospital in Castro Valley, California.

I purchased a journal as soon as I knew you were growing in me. I thought I'd include a little bit of what I wrote after your birth:

The family went nuts when you were born. There were twenty-four people crowding the waiting room for your arrival. The nurses told us it was a new record at Eden Hospital. When they brought you to me later for your feeding I whispered, "You are so beautiful." Your eyes were wide open. You ate so well. I was so excited. I couldn't believe that I had my little girl. God has been so good to me. You weren't only healthy but beautiful too.
I loved you instantly.

November 10, 1991 at 3:02pm my heart doubled in size. As long as I'm alive I will be your biggest encourager and number one fan. God has an amazing plan for your life Meghan. I am sitting back and claiming my front row seat to watch you take His hand and soar on the heights.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Colossians 3:12-17 The Message

Happy Birthday Meghan!!!

Seventeen years ago today, you were placed in my arms. Soft fuzzy blonde hair, just like a baby duck and the deepest dimples I had ever seen. I thought for sure that God had blessed me with the most beautiful baby girl He had created. What joy I had when I opened up your little blanket to look at your miraculous little body. All soft and chubby, you were the most amazing and wonderful thing I had ever laid my eyes on.

God has blessed me in so many ways Meghan. I will always be grateful that He chose me to be your mommy, your mom. Being a part of your growing up years has not always been easy, but it has ALWAYS been worth it.

May God continue to bless you honey, as you seek His face to guide you through this last high school year and onto the next step on that narrow path.

Remember sweetheart, with God ALL things are possible, you can't dream dreams big enough for all that He has for your life.

I LOVE YOU!

Mom

The Birthday Party

Thought you might enjoy seeing some of the pictures from Meg's birthday party last night. We had 19 people over for a Mexican dinner. (I'm still full.)

The roses in the vase on the table there are from her dad. He sent them to her at school this week. The balloons are from her Auntie Celia.


David is trying to give a brotherly hug to his big sister for the camera. She loves every minute of it....NOT!



One of her many gifts was all three 'An Affair To Remember' movies. She started watching the one from the 1930's already this morning.



Mom and Dad with the birthday girl.

HAPPY SWEET 16 MEGHAN!!!

On November 10th 1991 at 3:03pm,after 36 hours of labor,a warm and precious bundle was gently placed in my tired arms. The nurse exclaimed before I even laid my eyes on her, “She has dimples!” Hours later I was left alone in my room with her. It was then that I finally got to open my daughters' blanket and fully explore for the first time, each little finger and tiny pink toe. She had a head full of blonde hair, as soft and as fine as a baby duck. There is no possible way to express in words what this moment is like. If you have a child, you know exactly what I am talking about.

The memory of holding your first child is one you don’t forget.

My daughter is turning 16 this weekend. Where has the time gone? This child who baptized me into motherhood with her ear infections, constant chatter, and independence-extraordinaire, my precious little girl is inching closer and closer to adulthood. She used to talk to me about princesses, Disney movies and parties for her dolls, but lately our conversation has turned to talking about cars, part-time jobs, boys and college.



Last night, with the help of her brother David, we took our collection of spray paint and decorated a boulder. This boulder is special because it sits right in front of her school for all to see. In case any of you think this would be a great idea for yourselves, and don't mind serving time for a misdemeanor vandalizism conviction... this high school allows people to do it, so it is actually ‘legal graffiti’.

I will be the first to admit that none of our children are perfect (nor are their parents), but please allow me a moment to share what a blessing this child has been to us.

Meghan is definitely our over-achiever kid. She has a full load this year and has taken quite a few AP classes. Yet she still has managed to keep a 3.85gpa. She has been gifted with a beautiful singing voice and is one of our children who actually listen when we tell them to floss (she has never had a cavity). She has a passion for godly purity and was asked to speak on this topic at our mother/daughter tea this year. Her words were straight from the throne as she blessed the young women with encouragement to be strong in their faith. Meg is on the children's ministry worship team at our church and is a favorite babysitter of many local families. A love of musicals is an understatement, and her favorite actress is Audrey Hepburn and favorite movie...yep you guessed it...'Breakfast at Tiffany's'. She takes a few moments before catching the bus each morning to do a devotion in her teen Bible(until now, she wasn't aware I knew this about her), and I must admit that her teenage attitude has been much better lately. She has a heart that sees only the best in people and will fight to the death for anything she believes in.

She is everything I wish I had been at 16 years old.

So, with her 16th birthday upon us, I will spend a little time each day this week thanking God for blessing us with such a beautiful, strong, faithful, loving daughter. God says in His word, "Children are a blessing from the Lord." Psalm 127:3...and to that I say a big AMEN!

Happy Birthday sweetheart, we love you and are so proud of you. Remember Meg...you can't dream dreams big enough for what God has planned for you honey.