Friday, November 5, 2010

Her “Real” Birthday

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On Natalie’s actual birthday we brought the remainders of her beautiful cake and shared it with her friends at pre-school.

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I was naughty and snapped a picture of her during prayer time…couldn’t resist.

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We enjoyed the remnants of her party decor.

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And in keeping with our weekly tradition had our Monday night pizza.  But we did it out under the pergola with pink candles.  They all looked thrilled that I was taking their picture don’t they?

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And Natalie opened up her gifts from us.

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Clearly, her favorite gift was the book  Pinkalicious.  Which we have now only read about 1000 times and her brothers can “read” the pages from the next room because we have all heard it sooo much.  Santa will most definitely be on the look out for the other two books by this author: Goldilicous and Purplicous.  

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Another present was this fun tutu and Halloween stockings which she LOVED!

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This year marks five years with my daughter.  Some days I have to still pinch myself that she is mine.  I look in her eyes or hear her make one of her goofy Natalie statements and it’s almost as if I can hear God saying,  “I love you, Joy.  Look what I have blessed you with.” 

The day before Natalie’s birthday I attended my father’s funeral.  We weren’t close.  I wasn’t part of his world and he was never a part of mine.  I can choose to be bitter about this or I can choose to revel in the gifts I have been given.  Natalie is one of them.  We celebrated her birthday and I celebrated her.    I can’t describe it, other than to say it is healing. 

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