Tuesday, July 15, 2008

A Reason to Celebrate

I can't let this day finish out without a second scoop for a very silly girl tonight. Three years ago tonight, in a miraculous birthing experience, an angel graced our lives and joined our family as Lauren Elizabeth. Today, the 15th of July, we chose, with purpose, to celebrate THAT anniversary. 

I took Lauren to the store with me to buy the ingredients for her cake. Along the way we picked up a donut and smoothie for a birthday breakfast, a Tinkerbell birthday wishes balloon, and birthday flowers with my Lauren's Star-Gazer Lilies in the bunch. 

At home we made her birthday cake and she got to eat her favorite "ravalolis" for lunch.


In the afternoon we pumped up the giant water ball that Grandma gave Lauren for her birthday and played in the sprinkler that it spouts out. When that got too cold we warmed up in the spa with Dado.
Somehow ... Someone ... snuck a few fingers of her cake prematurely.  Hmmm. I seem to remember Ann Marie doing the same thing to her 3 year old Care Bear Cake. I think he lost his back end back then.
Soon the pizza and the neighbors and the girlies with their presents arrived. We sang, ate, played, and visited. Then we got to go to a friend's birthday who turned 3 today too.
Taking my own advice here: I love that Lauren talks so well and so much. I love that she likes to tell all of us how we need to do everything.  She tells the girls when playing hide and seek, "You hide in the bathtub and I will go count!" She wakes herself laughing in the middle of the night and when Jon rocks her to sleep she will get almost totally asleep only to start busting up laughing again in her sleep. She makes a clicking lip smacking noise when she is telling you something and pauses. She loves to pout but is easily persuaded to do what we want her to if it is made into a game. She always wants to "GO" anywhere anytime with anyone.  If someone is leaving the house she wants to be with them. She loves to answer in the affirmative by saying "SURE" instead of yes.  I am positive this is an influence of Great Grandma Harris.  I have no doubt that these two were great pals in heaven before Lauren came to our family. As Grandma would have said, "she is just a jolly little Welsh girl with eyes as big as dollars!"

I love Lauren and the laughter she brings to our family. 

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy 3rd Birthday,Lauren!

Your cake looks like it's made of velvet sparkles. Yummy!

I hope your day was great!

Hoskins Family said...

Happy Birthday Lauren!! Your cake looks scrupmtious!

stacy said...

first off happy birthday lauren, i too have a three year old and what a fun age!
hi stephanie, my name is stacy, i came across your blog when i was jumping around from blog to blog. can i just tell you how much you have touch me. thank you so much for sharing your cherished memories and thought. i feel so blessed to have been able to read such beautiful words. i know that you have made such an impression on me. thank you for reminding me to hug my children tighter, laugh a little longer and just all around enjoy life. our children are so special and it is nice to be reminded of that. you are one amazing woman. thanks again for letting me seep a little of your wisdom.
i wish you all the love and strengh. my heart goes out to you and your family, but from what i read, you are in good hands...the lords hands! all my thoughts and prayers,
stacy ronnow
ogden, utah
stacyronnow.blogspot.com

Janae said...

I had to laugh at your half eaten cake:) we have had many of those over here at our house too:) funny kiddos. Happy b-day Lauren!

Shanan said...

Happy Birthday Lauren!!

Six-Pack Momma said...

Happy Birthday, Lauren! It sounds like a great celebration!

L.and.R said...

I am cracking up thinking about Lauren laughing in her sleep. How nice would that be...Happy Birthday, Lauren!!

Local Girl said...

Happy Birthday Lauren!
There is nothing better than cake, laughter and sprinklers!What a great birthday!
My girls love birthday parties too!In fact right after their birthday parties are over they ask if they can do it all again the next day or immediately start planning the next one. I love that they think that everyday should be a celebration! Enjoy your birthday, Lauren! Love, The Brown girls

Darren and Nikki said...

Happy Birthday Lala!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Lauren! We were happy to be part of your special day. It was nice to talk with you, too, Stephanie.

Carolyn said...

Happy Birthday Lauren! Eden is singing "happy birthday to you" while looking at your fun pictures. We love you!

Mimi's Toes said...

Happy Birthday Princess Lauren! I just love that water ball. I need to get one for my grand-children for when they come over.
I Ditto Stacy's comment. I did give my grand-daughter some exra hugs while babysitting last night.

Marleen said...

Happy birthday Lauren. Your present from Nora will be coming soon.

EMILY said...

she really has a beautiful, cheerful disposition. what a blessing!

Familia Martinez said...

Happy Birthday Lauren! We remember when you were born right after we got to California. You were beautiful then and even more so now. You bring a smile to our faces as we see how similar in personalities you and Araya are. "Sure" is something Araya says all of the time as well. She turned 3 in May and it is truly hard to believe that this much time has gone by.

Much love and prayers to you and your family. Wish we were closer so we could come give you hugs.

I have learned from Anthony losing his first wife that you celebrate the good anniversaries and you always remember the ones that are hard but in both cases you make memories that shape who we are and who we can become.

We love you guys and are so grateful for you in our lives. We know that it seems like we are so far away but we consider ourselves blessed to call you our friends.

I bore my testimony on Fast Sunday of the gratitude that I have for a loving Father in Heaven that allows us to have our families forever and that sealing power. I told of this experience with Camille, I also said that what a glorious reunion it will be when you will all be together again and how because of this you want to work even that much harder to be with her. I feel like I want to work that much harder so I can be there with you to see you raise her and see all that she has become. You make me want to live a better life and I thank you all and Camille for that.

Once again we love you and wish Lauren a belated birthday.

Keep On Smilin'
Love The Martinez Family
Anthony, Angie, Araya, Ammon and baby A