Katie's 23rd birthday!! Yay!!

Today is my precious baby girl's 23rd birthday.  I think it should be a national holiday. Twenty three years ago life as I knew it changed forever as I held this small, beautiful, cuddly bundle in my arms and melted with the extraordinary, immeasurable love that I felt for this perfect bundle of joy that I held.  I loved being pregnant with her; every day I had "morning-sickness-that-lasted-all-day", I knew I was blessed to be pregnant and never complained about being so sick. Once that wore off, after a few months, then I was able to be "just pregnant" and not clutter it with throwing up constantly!!  I was in complete heaven. Then she arrived. I never, ever, ever, in a million, gazillion years, could ever imagine the depth of love I felt for her.  It was stunning. Becoming a parent was my defining moment; the moment I knew I had a reason to be on this earth.  Watching her grow from a tiny, helpless infant into a sweet, adorable little girl, then into a beautiful, confident woman has been more than a blessing...it's been an act of love.  I can't believe she is student teaching this semester, and in May will graduate from college!!  Teaching high school English will be an incredible job for her.  I am so proud of her!!!  Thankfully, this has been a rather uneventful year for her; no major health concerns, no switching majors (again), and no bad roommates (all of them have been great).  Her Aortic Stenosis is progressing at a much, much slower rate than  was predicted when she was smaller, so where at one time the doctor thought she'd have to have her valve replaced by her early 20's, she is still going strong with no operation in the foreseeable future. Thank You so much, God!!!!  She still loves her major of English Lit for high school, and her roommate this year is a "girl" she used to be friends with in grade school.  Life really does goes full circle.  I am so, so proud of the young woman she has blossomed into.  I love you Katie-girl. Happy birthday.  Love you, MOM