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, Sophia!

Our precious Sophia is turning 5 today! What a joy she has been to our family. She has the sweetest smile and disposition, and I love to hear her talk! I dread the day when she learns the proper pronunciation for certain words, although I know it's necessary. When she tells her mother she loves me, she says, "I love ho". Funny and makes me laugh!

Since I'm having trouble uploading my pictures I chose two favorites of mine from her younger years. One captures that precious face and the other shows her prissy, girlie side. And both pictures remind me of her mother at that age. Sophia is a carbon copy, not only in looks, but in her carefree personality. I love ho!

Have a very special birthday, Sophia and know you are in my heart forever. Happy birthday!

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, Thomas!

My oldest grandson is a handsome 10-year-old today. Thomas will spend the day with his cousin Jude and his parents at Legoland. These two boys love their Legos. He'll enjoy a family celebration tonight. I've already baked the chocolate chip cookies he requested.

These pictures are from our shopping trip and dinner in honor of Thomas's birthday. We had so much fun together. I was touched by the way Thomas read the words I wrote in his card and commented on them later to me. He'd paid attention! And he was so sweet and complimentary all evening. I adored all the attention I was getting from such a handsome young man.

Thomas chose three separate sets of Legos and I know he stayed busy the rest of the weekend just putting them all together. He has a knack for it, just like his Dad did. When the instructions are put aside and the imagination goes wild, I think it's constructive for the mind to come up with unique designs. Thomas has a natural talent in art and sculpture, and I'm always awed by his

creations.

How many women get to date such a handsome, younger man? I'm blessed.

Happy birthday, Thomas, and enjoy this special day of yours. I'm thankful I got to share in it with you and I enjoyed every minute of it.

I love you and I'm so proud of the young man you are. You have such an enormous heart.

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.