Birthdays
Yesterday, my youngest daughter turned 17 years old. Eek!! Where has the time gone? Seriously?! It seemed like just yesterday I was begging God for my little miracle baby. He answered that prayer, and I have had the privilege of watching this six pound three oz little baby (at birth) grow into a beautiful young woman.
I remember when I was approaching the last few days of pregnancy with her. The doctor was concerned for my petite frame delivering a large baby, so he decided to schedule me for an induction. He did the same when I had my oldest daughter, so this did not came as a surprise to me. I was due the latter part of September, but here I was given a choice as to when the induction would occur. The choices were either the 8th or 9th of September, which were the days of the week he did inductions (Wednesdays & Thursdays). I remember telling my father that I wanted my baby to have her own day to celebrate her birthday. While it would be cool to have a “birthday twin,” I would not ever want my birthday to overshadow hers! She deserves her own day, and so I chose Wednesday, September 8th, as my induction day.
Arriving at the hospital with my bag, the hospital staff asked why I was smiling. I responded, “I am going to meet my baby today!” They were focused on the events that would happen prior to her birth. Meanwhile, I was more focused on the moment I would cradle my newborn in my arms. At 2:40 p.m., I knew that moment was nearing when the doctor asked if I wanted to watch my daughter’s birth. With a nod of my head, they turned the mirror, and I watched my baby come into the world at 2:44 p.m. Oh, what a glorious day!!
Fast forward 17 years, and we celebrated by taking my near adult child to eat at one of her favorite restaurants. But first … we had to make a stop by Claire’s for her second ear piercing! She has been after me for many months to let her get a second piercing. Honestly, she thought I was set against it, but that wasn’t entirely true. When she was little, she begged me to get her ears pierced, but when I did, she hardly wore the earrings. I asked her to commit to wearing earrings this time for six months, and then we would talk! (I, personally, LOVE earrings and feel naked if I leave home without them!)
She appeared confused when we arrived at the mall. I made an excuse about how I had to pick something up, and although she complained, she walked alongside me until I started to slow down in front of Claire’s. Then she knew … and a gasp of excitement escaped her lips. I told the lady what we were there for, and my daughter took her seat. She is now the proud owner of TWO ear piercings. ~grin~ She was so tickled with the thought of getting her ears pierced, and afterwards, she was taking selfies to show her friends.
We did more than just going out to dinner and getting her ears pierced, as new clothes were involved as well. Doesn’t every “girl” enjoy getting new clothes for their wardrobe? She put one item on immediately, threw her long locks over her shoulder, and strutted inside the restaurant. We took “selfies” together with the silly Snapchat filters and laughed at how ridiculous we looked in them. It was great fun! I’m glad we had this time together, and I’m glad she had HER very own day to celebrate!
I have often said SHE was one of the absolute BEST birthday presents I have ever received. For you see, her birthday is September 8th, and MY birthday is September 9th! What a gift, indeed, to be able to hold my newborn baby in my arms the very next day as I celebrated my birthday as well.
Now fast forward those 17 years, and I turned 50 years old today!! ~gasps~
Birthdays are fun, aren’t they?!
I have been enjoying a half of a century worth of precious memories, and I thank GOD for this opportunity each and every day! I recognize how TRULY blessed I am, and I pray God allows me 50 more years with my family and friends! Oh, how I pray to see my yet-to-be-conceived grandchildren grow up and look forward to my great-grandchildren as well. I’ve often said, “I want to be an old, old woman, rocking her great-great-grandchildren on my front porch.” And I still mean it today!
There is more life out there for me to live. There are places in this world I’ve yet to explore, and I want to take all the adventures I can! I want to stay active and keep pursing happiness found in the great outdoors. While my birth certificate says I’m 50 years old today, I don’t FEEL like it on the inside. I’ve been told I don’t look like it either, and for both, I am eternally grateful!
A lot of people get so depressed when they reach a milestone birthday like this. For some, they think they are “over the hill” and like there is no help for them once they hit the big 5-0. Not me, baby! I know there are people who take for granted that they have more time on this earth, and there are those who pray with all their might for more time! More time, indeed!! I am one of those people. I look forward to the adventures ahead, with my family surrounding me and accompanying me on this journey!
Here’s to 17 years … oh, do we remember 17!
And here’s to 50 years … and many, many, many more to come for us both as we enjoy our birthdays together!
I see you … 50 … and challenge you to 50 more!!
God’s Not Dead: We The People
Not too long ago, I shared the movie trailer of God’s Not Dead: We The People.
This movie will only be in theaters a limited time. We cannot encourage you enough to go see this movie October 4, 5, or 6, 2021. Please click here to get your tickets.
Our world is in turmoil, and our freedom is at stake here. This timely movie touches on the liberties we were ALL given in the Constitution of the United States of America. It will take ALL of us to stand up against those in Washington, D.C. and defend our God given rights! This powerful movie will invoke you to rise up for the cause!
I was given the honor of a pre-screening of this movie, and together, my husband I watched as forces threatened to limit, restrict and completely strip parents of their rights with THEIR children. This is a touchy subject right now, with the mask argument on both sides within the school systems. It goes further than that with the controversy over the vaccine for children 12 and over. Some argue the government is trying to take our freedoms away by mandating masks and vaccines. On the other hand, many welcome the mask and vaccine mandates that are being handed down in an effort to save lives. There are arguments on both sides for and against, but at the common core is everyone’s right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
It has been years since we’ve been in school studying the constitution, right? Maybe we all need a refresher at this time. Allow me …
The Constitution of the United States begins with three powerful words: WE THE PEOPLE. The whole meaning behind these words is simply that the government exists to serve the citizens of the United States!
Please watch this movie. Then, take action for what your heart feels passionate about!
October 4, 5, and 6th are your opportunities to see this powerful movie.
13 Lost Lives
Having a retired Colonel as a boss and your own father as retired military certainly gives you a greater appreciation of those who have served our country. These great men served and then retired with honors. Both are passionate and proud of their time spent in the military.
I have close friends who agonized over their sons and daughters going into the military in years past. Many prayers were sent up during the time they served, and thankfully, they had a happy ending as my friend’s sons and daughters all returned home safely.
As things escalated in Afghanistan recently, I’ve watched my boss struggle daily. He posts his own thoughts on his Facebook page, so there is no doubt where he stands on this subject. It has certainly been a devastating blow to the United States of America. We have been shaken to our core due to the lives lost and American’s left behind in Afghanistan. Senselessly, 13 lost lives due to a suicide bomber. Thirteen beautiful individuals set out to serve their great Country, and they lost their lives at the hands of pure evil!
Scrolling through Facebook last night, I couldn’t help but see Nikki Haley re-sharing pictures of the fallen soldiers. She re-shared a look into four lives; however, all 13 were shared on Stand For America‘s Facebook page. I sat reading about each of these heroes. Looking at their pictures, with them smiling and in uniform, made my heart hurt deeply! It is one thing to “hear” of such a tragedy occurring, and yet another to put faces with the numbers reported to have lost their lives. Thank you, Stand For America, Nikki Haley, and others, for sharing so the world could learn more about these beautiful soldiers.
SSgt Taylor Hoover was the oldest among them at 31 years old. He had plans to marry when he returned. Oh my gosh, this gripped my heart and felt as if someone was trying to pull it out of my chest! My oldest daughter will marry the love of her life in 18 days. I cannot begin to imagine the devastation felt by his fiancée and their families.
All of the soldiers are important, please don’t get me wrong. I am only sharing the thoughts that went through my head as I saw their faces and read their stories!
My heart shattered to learn the others ranged from 20 years old to 25 years old. Babies!! These were all someone’s babies. My heart shattered more each time I read about their lives. Life had only just begun for them. They were out on their own in this cruel world as their mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers were back at home praying for them and their safety. Oh the sheer horror and terror they – and their families – must have felt as they watched this unfold at the Kabul airport. I cannot fathom the heartbreak as they received the knock on their doors.
I encourage you to visit Stand For America and read about these precious individuals and their lives. Put a face with a name, just as I did, and they become more than just a number plastered across the television. They were mere babies in uniform.
Tears welled up in my eyes and a lump formed in my throat as I thought of their mothers and fathers. At a time like this, all we can do is pray for them. Their babies won’t be walking back through their doors again. There won’t be any more text messages or voicemails from them. The approaching holidays will hurt even more without their loved ones.
Please pray for the family and friends of these American soldiers. Please pray for our country as a whole and for our leadership to make wiser decisions than those made recently. May God comfort as only He can at this most difficult time as these families and the United States of America mourn.
LCpl David Espinoza, 20
SSgt Nicole Gee, 23
Sgt Taylor Hoover, 31
SSG Ryan Knauss, 23
Cpl Hunter Lopez, 22
LCpl Dylan Merola, 20
LCpl Rylee McCollum, 20
LCpl Kareem Nikoui, 20
Cpl Daegan Page, 23
Sgt Johanny Rosario, 25
Cpl Humberto Sanchez, 22
LCpl Jared Schmitz, 20
Corpsman Max Soviak, 22
