Happy 19th

Friday, February 20th marked the 19th birthday of my girls. For 18 years we would celebrate each birthday an entire week. Even when they started school their birthday always feel on winter break. I remember their first birthday when we all sat around and watched them sit in a high chair waiting for them to eat their first birthday cake. For their second birthday I baked them each a cake and decorated each with a mommy duck and two baby ducks. I wanted them to see their cake so I left them on their play table the whole night. We thought it was cute how they would sneak licks of frosting, that is until they started to look a little green. By the time we light the candles the girls were not interested in the cake at all. At three, Wegmans made their cake with 2 little girls on it. We had a large family party - in my family large was the only kind of party. At four gram surprised them with birds - budgies. They named them Sasha and Meiko. And so went the years. One year my dad took us out to Ichiban for their birthday. I remembered them giggling the whole time and so started a 'birthday tradition'. We had different guests with us each year so it always felt new and different. Their 16th was the first year we skipped the Ichiban. We took the girls on a cruise with their beloved Disney friends and opted for a get together with their school friends when we returned. For 17 we chose Santangelo's for dinner. I don't remember why I just remember a great night.
It was just us: Gramma, Grampa, Jeff, Kristina, Kathleen, Amber, Max and myself. What great memories of all of us together; little did we know that it would be our last birthday with Grampa. Last year was a tough birthday to survive with the main man in our lives gone to be with our Father. In honor of him we continued our traditional celebration at Ichiban. Greg and Dan joined us to wish our ladies happy birthday as they entered their adult life. Gram brought dessert and Jeff brought the credit card.

Here we are at 19 and in college. This was the shortest birthday celebration ever. Kathleen drove in with a friend around 6 for winter break. Kristina was driving in herself around 6:30 for dinner. Two of the girls' friends were able to visit and give birthday kisses and hugs. The girls' boyfriends arrived at 7 to share some snacks and relax before dinner. Manar, Mike, and David were able to join us as we sat at Ichiban and toasted another year older for my two baby girls. The celebration was over by 11pm and the girls were off the next day to get Kristina back to college. Like I said, this birthday came and went. But I am thankful I get to watch what exciting decisions these young women of God make in their upcoming year.

God has blessed our family with the time we have had together. I am so grateful for how He takes care of my needs when I do not even see them as needs yet.