Three Years Already

We celebrated Natalie's third birthday this past week, with dinner out, a sleep over with a friend, two home parties and an upcoming trip to Chuck E Cheese. A little more hoopla than a three-year-old can handle -- but worth it. She had an amazing time being the center of all of the attention, telling everyone she saw that it was her birthday. She loved it when we sang to her, went crazy for her Ariel birthday cake and hasn't stopped playing with all of the gifts, including the new babies in her preschooler bed.

As a parent, I couldn't help but think of three years ago when the nurse placed her on my tummy and I held her crying. I've only ever felt that much love and joy all at once one other time -- two years later when Gavin was born. With Jason at my side smiling, we held an amazing gift from God. Our lives changed instantly, forever. And I'm forever thankful.

Natalie is so excited to open presents
and can't resist wearing her new Barbie princess dress.

Despite my efforts to convince her to have cupcakes
for her two home parties, she insisted on an Ariel cake for one.
So I did what any practical and thrifty mom does -
whipped one up myself!

Happy third birthday, sweetheart.