Happy Birthday, Angela!

My youngest baby is having a birthday today! How I'd love to be celebrating in person with her! I'd try my hand at a vegan birthday cake. I'd scratch her back for an hour. I'd keep three precious grandchildren while she and hubby went out on the town.

We'd have funny face pancakes for breakfast - totally vegan, of course! Angela, Juliet and I would indulge in manicures and pedicures before heading to lunch at a vegan bistro.

Mostly, I'd just enjoy being with her and rejoicing in the happy occasion that was Angela only a few short years ago (notice I left out numbers). I so wanted that bundle of joy to be a girl and I was thrilled to welcome her. I wanted a little doll to dress up and her Daddy wanted a Daddy's Girl, and we both won big time! What a blessing she has always been.

Alas, I'm a good 14 hours away by car, but my heart is with you today on this special day. I'm so proud of the woman you are, your countless talents, and your unwavering faith in God. You're a loving wife, mother, daughter and sister, and I couldn't have hand-picked a better third child.

Happy birthday, Punkin, and know that I love you with all my heart. Yesterday, today, and all your tomorrows.

Happy Birthday, Baylee!

Our Baylee girl is a big 7-year-old today! Somehow, when we weren't looking, she transformed from the cute baby above to a lovely girl of seven. And what a joy she has been!

Papa and I surprised Baylee at school today to take her birthday shopping and to dinner. She squealed with delight when she saw us, which always makes our heads grow a little bigger. Before we left we snapped a picture of our elite little group, The Middle Child. We understand each other.
Baylee's smile shows off the missing tooth she lost this week at school during lunch. She's now sporting two windows in that cute smile of hers. And her sweet personality and great sense of humor kept Papa and I entertained all afternoon. We had so much fun with her.

Baylee has a tremendous love for animals - live or stuffed. She chose a variety of animals when we shopped and was anxious to get home and show them to Jude and Sophia. I teased her that we should go to the pet store next door and pick out a puppy and surprise her parents. Of course, I knew better. They will let me slip some sugar to the kids once in awhile, but a puppy would get me in trouble for sure. Baylee has a black rabbit that is so docile and sweet, and she's a very loving and attentive "mama" to him. Taco Meat is lucky to belong to her.

Enjoy your birthday, sweet girl. We always have so much fun with you and are so proud of the smart, beautiful, and sweet girl you have always been. Happy birthday with all our love.

Happy Birthday, Callan!

My youngest grandchild, grandson Callan, is 4 today. Few things are sweeter than this blue-eyed blond cutie! This boy has personality!

It's so sweet how he compliments his Mommy daily by telling her she is pretty and soft. Sometimes we like soft, unless flabby legs or arms are involved. Fortunately, his Mommy is young enough to appreciate soft. He makes her feel like a million bucks.

This little fellow does a good job keeping up with his older siblings, yet is very anxious to get older. I remember wanting to grow up, too, but it comes too soon and the years pass quickly. Already I'm wondering how Callan got to be four years old this soon. He's so sweet and so smart.
Happy birthday, Callan, and please hang on to that precious baby face for awhile longer. Big hugs for your birthday and always all my love.

Happy Birthday, Donna!

I don't mean to brag, but I have the best sister that anyone could be blessed with. She's charming, she's beautiful inside and out, she has a sense of humor that can't be beat, and she's always there for her family. She spoils me with surprise gifts and is there when I need her, which is 24/7.

I've always loved this picture because it captures the Donna I see all the time - fun-loving, full of laughter and one of the prettiest smiles I've ever seen. If Donna is around, there will be laughter.

Sissy, I'm so thankful that God blessed me with such a special sister. I couldn't have hand-picked a better one. Enjoy your birthday and remember that you are just as beautiful as you've always been. I love you to the moon and back.

Happy Birthday, Juliet!

My beautiful granddaughter, Juliet, is 6 today! If there was ever anyone who was so content in their own feminine skin, it's Juliet. She is all girl and all about anything having to do with a girl. If it's pink, frilly, soft, glittery, and girlie, bring it on. Chasity/Chaz, there will be no gender change in this girl's future!

It's obvious that Juliet gets all her femininity from her beautiful mom. But then, all the ladies in the family know how to work it. I have enough daughters, granddaughters, a sister and a mother to be able to speak with a decent amount of wisdom on the subject.

She still looks adorable even with a goofy smile on a wooden stick.

This girl is stylin'. And she loves anything having to do with a princess. She has the gowns and tiaras and turns herself into a pretty impressive girl of royalty.

The three cousins had a fun day of shopping and lunch with Memaw who likes the girl stuff too.

My four youngest girls sporting matching outfits, compliments of Aunt Dee.

Have a wonderful birthday, Juliet. I'm proud of you for your sweet nature and artistic talent. You're my special girl and I love you so much.

Happy Birthday, Camryn!

My beautiful granddaughter, Camryn, is turning 18 today! We celebrated by going to one of her favorite Mexican food restaurants and splurging on brisket enchiladas and tacos. I usually make ice cream for the grandchildren, but they know they can change it up if the taste buds are ready for something different. Camryn chose chocolate chip cookies this time. I was more than happy to oblige.

I'm proud of Camryn for many reasons. She's always had a big heart and it shows through so perfectly with little Riley, whom she adores. And watching her graduate from high school just made my heart swell. That's a big accomplishment after 12 sometimes hard and boring years of study. Pomp and Circumstance tugs at the heartstrings anyway, but especially when your own granddaughter is walking down the aisle.

Camryn is also a special sister to Candice and Thomas. She and Candice have always been best friends and Camryn dotes on her younger brother. She's so much fun to be with and has such a great sense of humor. She's a hard worker, a loving mom, and one of my prides and joys.

Enjoy your birthday, Camryn. I hope the year ahead is just as special as you are to me. I love you, Girlfriend!

Happy Birthday, Ashton!

My fifth grandchild, Ashton is celebrating his 8th birthday today. His mom has many happy things planned for his special day. And Ashton has been counting the days.

I love this handsome boy for many reasons. He enjoys playing games with me when we're together. I suggest card or dice games, and Ashton says "let's play algebra or fractions." I'm fascinated that he loves to learn, but sometimes he picks the wrong person to play math games with! He's always ready to explore and experience new things. He's lovable and sweet and I adore those open arms when he sees me. He makes me feel like royalty.

Ashton has interests in sports and music, and he can give you a weather report from anywhere in the world. We may have a future meteorologist in our midst.

Did I mention that he's handsome? Happy birthday, my sweet Ashton. You have made my life richer and I love you so much.

Happy 40th Birthday, Randee Allison!

Who wouldn't mind being 40 when 40 looks this good? My oldest beautiful daughter is hitting this milestone today. As her mother, it seems impossible that I've been enjoying her so much for so long. It feels like only yesterday that I got the girl I wanted and squealed with delight. She's been a blessing ever since.

Daughter Angela came in for this special event, and a group of us "girls" met for lunch yesterday to celebrate. We had girls of all ages and had a wonderful time.

This is my daughter-in-law Leiann, my granddaughter Candice, and my great-granddaughter Riley. Riley is at the perfect age - 2 1/2 months - to introduce her to the world of girls night out, or day out, or week out. It's all good.

We were so happy that Cheryl moved back to Texas in time to join us. I've been so excited as I anticipated this day that I feel like it's my birthday. I could handle turning 40 again. It seemed so old then, but looks very young to me now.

My sweet granddaughters Sophia, Baylee and Juliet were some of the younger ones in our group. They have the girl thing down pat.

Allison with friends Tressa and Jennifer. We appreciate them for celebrating with us.

Birthday gifts for the birthday girl. Yeah, birthdays aren't all bad.

We all enjoyed the unique gift Angela presented to her sister. There were 40 notes in a bag with a favorite memory written on each note and a roll of bills in each one was a sweet surprise. Some memories were funny, others were tear-jerkers. Allison's idea of celebrating her 40th is to go with her family to Disney World. The trip is being planned and some of us contributed to the fund instead of a big party bash or spa day. But a girl's got to eat, so another celebration is in the works for dinner tonight. Also, since she shares a birthday with husband Brian, it's definitely a family affair.

We're never too young to party. Riley enjoyed her day with the girls even though she dozed through most of it. What a sweet girl!

Is this precious or what??? This sweet smile was in response to her Aunt Dee's loving attention.

There's nothing like friends and family, and having something to celebrate. How thankful I am for this lovely woman, my daughter, and the joy she has always brought into my life.

Happy birthday Allison and Brian and God's blessings for many more. You are the light of my life and truly gorgeous at 40! I love you both!

Happy 20th Birthday, Candice!

Yes, I have a grandchild who is 20 and I'm proud of it! Our beautiful Candice is celebrating her birthday today, definitely a milestone one. Leaving her teens behind, she is well on her way to establishing a life for herself. She's close to finishing junior college and has been accepted into a local university. And due to her high academic standing, they are offering scholarships. Go, Candice!

This busy young lady is not only working to put herself through school and keeping those marks high, she is also a brand new aunt. Candice is quite the doting aunt and loves her little niece so much, as do the rest of us. She's busily carving a permanent place in little Riley's heart. She'll do well since she had three excellent examples with her own aunts.

Have a splendid birthday, Candy Girl, and always know how proud I am of you and your achievements. You have what it takes to be whatever you want to be. I love you, Birthday Girl!

Happy Birthday, Jude!

My handsome grandson, Jude, is 9 years old today! He's getting so big, but he's just as enjoyable today as that sweet toddler with the cute bowl-cut blond hair. He captured my heart from day one.

Jude knows how to make me feel special and always has. When he was younger and saw me walking into church, he would squeal with delight. Those moments of supreme importance made me feel better than royalty. And today, he has that same knack for putting those he loves on a lofty pedestal. He gets so excited as he anticipates his birthday outing with Robin and me. He knows he will get a gift from us anyway, but the fact that his excitement includes the time being spent with us just makes me love him more. Such a special young man.

We always start with lunch at a location of his choice. He indulged in a chocolate milkshake afterwards because, hey, it's his birthday.

Papa Robin helped Jude assemble a cardboard car while waiting for lunch.

Jude picked out three sets of Legos, a hard decision considering the shelves loaded with all kinds of Lego fun. He's a master at Legos and had them completed before bedtime. He kept telling us it was the best day of his life. He knows just the right words to say that make others feel loved in his presence. Just one of the many things I love about our Jude. Have a happy birthday and know that Memaw will love you forever.

Happy Birthday, Ron!

What better gift than to become a grandpa just three days before your birthday? And what a doting, loving one he is! Once this little girl knows the tricks of the trade, she will have grandpa securely wrapped around her little finger.

Ron, I'm happy this is an exciting birthday for you with the newest member of your family. You have every reason to be proud, to celebrate, and to know you are special to all of us. I appreciate what a loving son you have always been and your unconditional love, sense of humor, and loyalty mean so much to me. I thank God He has blessed me with you. Have a wonderful birthday and shave that beard so you can kiss all over your sweet granddaughter. I love you so much!

Happy 60th Birthday, Cheryl!

My dearest friend is finally entering her 60s so I won't feel so all alone. I'm 13 months to the day older than her and I've been anxiously awaiting this day. And since I've been there, done that, I can tell her from experience that being 60 sucks. But she knows I'm kidding and that we always have fun, regardless of our ages.

Cheryl is one I enjoy being crazy with, like being goofy in our camo pajamas and caps. It doesn't take much to pull laughter out of us. That's the beauty of friendship. We just need to be together and the fun begins. It becomes open season for any subject and it's all peppered with laughter. We don't have to go or do anything. The fun is built in.

I'll forever be in awe of how two grieving widows connected and became the support, understanding, and comfort they both needed. A solid friendship evolved from that need and will last throughout eternity. I can't even fathom not having Cheryl in my life. I searched for the perfect 60th birthday gift and decided on a friendship necklace. The pendant says, "A friend knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you've forgotten the words." That, to me, describes our friendship in a nutshell.

So, happy birthday to my wacky friend in the green alien sunglasses who is not afraid to do anything for a laugh. You may be 60 and think that is old, but I need you as much today as I did that first night in a grief seminar. I thank God for blessing my life with such a strong friendship. Sixty is beautiful on you, BB, and I suspect any age will be. Have a happy birthday, with love and gratitude.