divesticks&golftees: Happy Golden Birthday, Camille!!

It's funny that we didn't realize that our baby girl was a Veteran's Day Baby. Even as dh chuckled through happy tears that she would turn 15 on 11-11-11. (Sleep deprivation!) On her 1st BD, we took her to a park which had a pond, as she loved feeding the ducks. We lived in the Southwest then, so November was still very warm and beautiful. I had a nice picnic day planned for the three of us. Then, it rained! It NEVER rains, but it did that day! So, we packed up our park activities and headed to the big mall, so we could take our baby girl to the indoor play area-which had a merry-go-round. On the way to the mall, we stopped at the bank to withdraw money.

That is when we realized our baby girl's BD was also a National Holiday! Of course, dh was quick to point out that she would always have school off on her BD. (Even as a homeschooler, she doesn't have school!) Our conversation was halted as we stared in awe at a beautiful double rainbow. Since I was not a Christian then, I read many things into that rainbow. The main conclusion, was that our baby would have a lucky and happy life!

And, she has, for the most part. Hard to believe she is 15! I listened to my older sister when she said kids grow up fast, so treasure the little moments. I was never apart from dd unless I had to have a surgery.(My health woes still to come..) We were glued at the breast, then hip, then....just glued. I wouldn't change a thing for the way I mothered her during her early years. She was and remains the joy of my life. She has always been such a fun girl to be around. Always well-natured, always lighting up a room. As a little girl, everyone would comment on how beautiful she was, and I would agree, but chime in with how funny, sweet and smart she was, too. As she grew older, she wanted to do things I did. If I was in the kitchen baking or cooking, she was right there, on her stool helping. She loved playing outside and going to the zoo, so as the weather allowed, we were always out and about-her either walking with me or riding in her jogging stroller. As she headed into her preschool years, she loved doing crafts, coloring, painting and playing with puzzles. At age 3, she was putting together 50-piece puzzles she had never seen before. Music was, without a doubt, her most favorite thing of all. She participated in Kindermusik for five years and loved to sing and dance. Her next favorite thing was reading. She got her 1st library card when she was 5 weeks old. I read to her for hours each day, and as she neared Kindy age, she would beg to go to the library for more books. Because I used to work in Montessori schools, I made sure she was surrounded by quality books. When it came time to enroll her in Kindy, I started to question if that was the correct thing to do-if that was what was best for her. She was almost reading. She could write her name. She could tie her shoes. She was working on 100-piece puzzles. Her social skills were way above those of her peers. I wondered what she would gain from starting school. A friend whom I met at a La Leache League group also had a daughter near the same age and she had decided to wait a year due to her daughter's social skills. Her daughter was(is!!) so smart and sweet, but when she was younger, she was very, very shy. Well, I decided there was no rush and took a year to think about school. We spent our days playing, doing crafts, meeting others for play-dates, listening to music and dancing and of course, reading. That year flew! When the time came(again!) to enroll dd in Kindy, I decided to homeschool her! I have not regretted it one bit. I cherish the time we've had together. She is the reason I have let go of so many unhealthy things in my life-including close relationships and addictions. She is why I have fought to make my marriage work. She is why I sought out Christ. She is why I sacrifice the things that I do. I love her to pieces. More than words can express.

Activities and interests she's been involved in....
Swim Team. Dancing. Sewing. Soccer. Softball. Chorus. Baking. Cooking. Fashion Design. Gardening. Scrap booking. Photography. Crafting.

What she likes at age 15....
Basketball. Volleyball. Swimming. Photography. Music. Friends. Movies. Twilight. Adele. Lady Gaga. Pretty Little Liars tv show. Reading. Landscape design. Interior design. Shopping. Baking. Spending time with her cousins. Working.

Words that come to my mind when I think of my Camille.....
Intelligent. Creative. Independent. Fun. Outgoing. Beautiful. Charming. Sweet. Faithful. Strong-willed. Stubborn. Sensitive. Funny. Clever. Determined. Responsible. Observant. Friendly. Lovable. Lovely. Strong.

Happy 15th Birthday, Camille!!