A Happy Birthday on St. Patrick's Day

Friday, March 18, 2016

20 years.  T.w.e.n.t.y.

Where do the years go?

Twenty years ago today in the middle of the night after a long day of labor, I delivered our first child... a beautiful baby with porcelain-doll features, blue eyes, and blond hair.  She was our little princess, and our world completely changed with her entrance.



How fast the years seemed to pass, first tooth, first words, first step, first day of kindergarten, first day of piano lessons... then before we knew it, there she stood on the brink of teenager years, with her long golden braided hair, braces, glasses and transitioning from child into independence... then soon a high schooler, and then graduating... and now, here we are today... twenty years later... in college, an accomplished artist and musician... and the years just keep moving on... and on.. and on!!!

Our sweet St. Patrick's baby... 20 years old today.  Somehow I feel like I should feel older than I do, but I don't.  I still feel like it was just yesterday she was born.

Display at a local thrift store

Today, to celebrate her entrance into the world 20 years ago, we spent the day together, her and I.  We went to a local town to shop the thrift stores for bargains.  I've taught her well {smiles}.... it was her choice what she wanted to do, and this is what she asked for.  I was only too happy to oblige.


She and I like simple things.  She could have eaten anywhere she wanted ~ our treat ~ but Subway was her choice... and again, I was only too happy to oblige.  Subway has long been a favorite restaurant of mine... like mother, like daughter they say!

And then something very special for me happened on my daughter's birthday!  As we were finishing our lunch, a car pulled up outside the restaurant, and as the children exited, I thought to myself, they look really familiar.  And then I realized just why these precious children looked so familiar to me, when I saw their mother exit the car.  I recognized her because I have followed her blog for some time now, and she is a precious woman who describes herself as one who "lives every day with prayer, chocolate and sweet baby kisses"... I can relate...although sadly, my sweet baby kisses have grown up into sweet loving hugs, lol!

Kendra who blogs at Living In The Shoe just happened to come into Subway to eat just as we were there.  I knew that we didn't live too far from each other, but still ~ the chances of us just happening upon each other were pretty slim... but we did!  It was a precious meeting for both of us, as I walked over to where they were, and asked her... "Are  you Kendra?"  She turned to me with a bit of a shocked look, and I quickly explained who I was, and then we laughed and hugged... just like old friends!  I introduced her to my daughter.  Her children were loading up in their vehicle as we visited because they had a time deadline, and so we didn't have long to chat.  However, it was such a blessing to visit with her for just those few short minutes before they had to leave.

Myself, Dallas & Kendra


If you haven't met Kendra yet... be sure to stop by and say hello to her... your soul will be refreshed, and you might need to grab some chocolate, or a tissue or two... she shares deeply from her heart, and is always a blessing for me to read what she has to say.


I had to share just a few pictures we took as we traveled today.  The sun was shining, and a cool wind blowing... and those snow-topped mountains danced in the sunlight.  Our souls soaked up every bit of the sunshine, how welcome it is!


It is so good to see the snow still on top of the mountains... we are hoping it stays there for a while yet to help with the spring melt, and to help the lakes and rivers fill with the needed water from the snow melt.


As the sun was setting... this was the view in my rear-view mirror...


I truly don't know that I ever see a sunset here that doesn't thrill my soul with its beauty!


Orange shadows from the fiery skies lingering gently...


Driving into the sun... it was sinking fast...


The world was bathed in the warm fiery glow...


Stark trees soaking up the last bit of  warmth from the skies...


Golden light reflecting in the darkening shadows of the river...


A beautiful ending to a lovely St. Patrick's Day.... many blessings, beautiful memories, a time of sweet fellowship together with my daughter.... a chance meeting with a precious blogger... a beautiful sunset to round out the day... just about as perfect a day as one can have.  :)

48 comments

  1. Hello dear Marilyn and oh! The happiest of birthdays to your lovely daughter...how precious to have a special relationship with one another! I know how wonderful it is because I too love my dear mother so much and LOVE spending time with her! I am SO glad she had a blessed day and that you could spend it with one another... OH! And how amazing to have ''bumped'' into Kendra...I just hopped across to her blog now! What a happy meeting and such a surprise!
    Thank you for sharing these lovely pictures with us...it is delightful to see Spring making its way to your corner of the world, dear Marilyn! Many rich blessings to you and so much joy!
    Hugs always,
    Kelly-Anne

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    1. It is a precious thing, this mother-daughter relationship, and I have a very special one with my son too, I am truly blessed! I give God the glory :) And how wonderful that you have the same relationship with your precious mother, what a dear blessing you are to her, with all that you do for the family! Such joy that is being anticipated in your lives! I look forward so much to meeting your sweet baby brother when he makes his entrance into the world!

      Indeed blogging has brought so many beautiful friendships into my life, and for that I am so grateful! I know you will enjoy Kendra's blog, glad that you are going to visit her :) Sending many hugs and love to you today!

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  2. Oh my! Your daughter's baby picture is so adorable I just want to hug her!!
    She sounds so much like my daughter, a sweet girl that finds pleasure in the simple things of life ad loves her mama. Give her birthday greetings from the Cox girls. I know what you mean dear friend, the hours fly all too quickly, but our memories seem like only yesterday. Praise God we have a beautiful eternity ahead after all the glorious days on earth.
    Hugs to you from Shirley

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    1. I love that baby picture of her, we have many that are so adorable, and I miss those days too, all the sweet kisses and baby cheeks and squishy! But, years have a time of passing on, and now my sweet girl blesses me in other beautiful ways, and so each stage of life is a joy! Your precious daughter and our daughter would be close friends I'm sure, if they could live close by :) In eternity we have great hopes, yes indeed! Appreciate you dear Shirley! Have a blessed day my friend :)

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  3. Dearest Marilyn.... What joy to celebrate a birthday with your precious daughter. And what a wonderful surprise to meet another sister in Christ that shares online! It must be so exciting ;-)

    May our Lord continue to bless your precious daughter with many more birthdays :-) have a blessed day ...

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    1. It was a blessed day in so many ways Mari! A joy indeed to be with our daughter on her very special day, and then to meet Kendra as well, just a joy! Appreciate your visit, and birthday wishes... much love and hugs to you today!

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  4. Happy, Happy Birthday to your daughter. What a beautiful thing to meet a fellow blogger....

    Thank you sweet friend for sharing your heart...have a lovely weekend. Blessings

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    1. Thank you Linda for the birthday wishes, I will pass them on to my sweet girl... and indeed, an amazing thing to meet a fellow blogger in such an unexpected way in such a special day. God is good! Have a blessed day my friend :)

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  5. I enjoy simple celebrations and that sounds like exactly what you experienced with your daughter. A relationship between a mother and daughter can be a special thing. I am happy to say that I am close to my mother. We talk often and enjoy running errands together a couple times a month. It is bittersweet to watch our daughter grow, but oh what a joy it is!!

    It is fun to run into a blogging friend. I bumped into one at WalMart last year. Since then we have bumped into each other several times. Fun!

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    1. Mother-daughter relations are so special, and I am so very blessed indeed. Glad to hear about your relationship with your mother too... how awesome that you are able to do things together. I agree, seeing our children grow is somewhat bittersweet, a joy to see, but you wish somehow it could go a bit slower! How awesome that you recognized a fellow blogger at Walmart! That is just wonderful... the world becomes a much smaller place with technology, doesn't it!

      Have a blessed weekend :)

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  6. sweet and frilly little sweetheart ... and the most glory-est of sunsets all in one place!

    lovely!

    weekend comfort and joy to you, new friend ...

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    1. Lovely indeed, all the way around, how blessed we are! Appreciate your visits Linda, always a joy! :)

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  7. Marilyn, what a sweet sweet surprise! Isn't it strange that when we run into our blog friends that it is as if we've known each other for years! Strange as in funny & delightful! Happy birthday to your precious daughter.

    I will stop by Kendra's and say hello!

    btw, i sent you an email about the card exchange.

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    1. Kendra is a precious soul, you will make a new friend for sure :) It was wonderful to meet her on such a special day with my daughter... I got your email about the card exchange, and a card will be on its way to you today :) Have a blessed weekend Gina!

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  8. Marilyn, it was such a special treat to meet you yesterday!! I truly enjoyed it -- and meeting your daughter. She looks like a lovely lady and sounds so very accomplished!

    :) I had to smile that you put it so nice with my "shocked look"! I felt like I stood there with my mouth open. LOL What is funny is that I have always pictured you with dark hair -- I love meeting a fellow blondie! We shall have to meet again.

    May God indeed richly bless you as you serve Him.

    ~ Kendra

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    1. It was a special treat Kendra ~ it was really like the icing on an amazing cake/day :) I am just amazed at how the Lord orchestrated our chance meeting there, and I do hope that one day we can meet again, not by chance, but for a nice chatty visit :) How funny that you pictured me with dark hair, lol! No, I am a natural blonde, in more ways than one {giggle}... I was amazed to see that you and I are both about the same height too... so fun! Appreciate you, and your deep love for the Lord and your family Kendra, and what a blessing it is to have met you. God is soo good! Have a blessed weekend :)

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  9. Happy Birthday to your precious daughter! How cool that you got to meet a fellow blogger also. I have been following a certain blogger for years now and last year I finally made the connection after recognizing pictures of her kids that her sister is the Godmother of my oldest grandson. :) I just got the biggest kick out of that!

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    1. Oh my goodness, how awesome that your blogger friend happened to be the godmother of your grandson, that is just amazing isn't it! I never cease to be amazed at how the Lord uses modern technology to bring people closer! Not all of this technology is good, but I know that the Lord has definitely used blogging in a special blessed way in my life! Appreciate getting to know you too Debbie... hope you have a blessed and special day today!

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  10. Happy Birthday to your precious daughter! How cool that you got to meet a fellow blogger also. I have been following a certain blogger for years now and last year I finally made the connection after recognizing pictures of her kids that her sister is the Godmother of my oldest grandson. :) I just got the biggest kick out of that!

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  11. How wonderful for you to enjoy such a day with your daughter. Happy birthday to YOU since it was literally YOUR birthday, too. How fun to meet Kendra so unexpectedly. Perhaps you'll be able to visit together soon.

    You live in a beautiful place my friend!

    God bless you!
    Laura of Harvest Lane

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    1. I did not ever think of it that way, but yes, you are right it is the day I gave birth, so indeed my birth-day celebration 20 years ago, thank you for that precious insight Laura, I love it! It was such a joy to meet Kendra, and we do have hopes to meet up soon for a leisurely visit :) Yes, the place we live in is so beautiful sometimes it hurts my heart, if that makes sense or not. But it does. I want to enjoy its beauty in all its beautiful wild ways. God is so good to us isn't He! Praying you have a blessed and wonderful day today!

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  12. My darling Marilyn,
    what a blessing to be able and celebrate the birthday of your princess together with her !
    Sending much love to you both, and to the little Dallas too !

    With much gratitude I wish you a most wonderful weekend ever,
    sending blessings of joy to you

    Dany

    P.S.: you look like two sisters !

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    1. You know, I looked at the picture again, and I guess we could pass for sisters, lol! The blond hair, blue eyes, and we are the same height, so funny! Thank you for that keen observation :) It was a joyful day in so many ways, and yes, wasn't little Dallas the cutest too! Have a blessed weekend dear Dany! :)

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  13. Oh my goodness, that dress. I remember the tiny years and I miss them, too. How do the years manage to go by so fast? Happy Birthday to her! I loved seeing a picture of you!! Great smile!! It's funny that Kendra said she thought you were a brunette. I pictured you that way, too! Funny.

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    1. The tiny years pass in a flash... you are so busy, you can hardly breathe, and then, they're gone, and you're missing them! LOL! I always tell new mothers stop and enjoy the precious moments. Life passes too quickly. The house will be clean someday soon, but enjoy those precious kisses and sweet cheeks while you can! But, I've loved and enjoyed every single stage of our children's lives... there is a special sweet to each one.

      It is funny that you and Kendra pictured me with a different color of hair, lol... maybe I've hidden my blonde well... but really, I am a true blonde in every sense of the word... {smile} ... Have a blessed day Kim!

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  14. Hi Marilyn, Belated birthday blessings to your daughter; please be prepared for the next 16 years to fly by as well. My oldest grandson just turned 15, where did the years go? I loved that you met a fellow blogger and will stop by her blog to say hello. Our blogging world is indeed a small place. Love your photos as always; we got hit with snow this morning but it's cleared now-however more is due tonight. Have a great weekend.
    Hugs, Noreen

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    1. I know the years fly by so very fast... and there isn't a pause or slow button is there, lol! We've just got to enjoy them as the come! I can't even imagine how it will feel to have grandchildren that are 15, but should the Lord tarry, I know the years will bring those days to pass. I'm sorry to hear that you got snow... but hope it has melted by now and that the snow you are getting again won't stay! Hugs to you my friend :)

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  15. Happy Belated Birthday to your sweet girl. OMGOSH- wasn't she cute??? That is great that you ran into another blogger. Hard to believe how we are all so connected, isn't it>? Beautiful photos! Hope you have a great weekend- xo Diana

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    1. She was a beautiful little girl, when I look back at the pictures, I wonder that I didn't die from the cuteness {smiles}! Oh how precious and sweet they are at that age, but every stage that they pass through has been a joy, motherhood is such a blessing! It was so awesome to meet with Kendra too.. what a precious lovey day it was! Hope you are all doing well Diana, you are always in our prayers!!!!

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  16. My dear friend, what a precious post. First of all, Happy Birthday {a day late} to your lovely daughter! She sounds like such a joy :)

    And oh my, what a delight to run into a fellow blogger. Once again, it's always amazing to see how the Lord works :) I will definitely stop by Kendra's blog as I don't think I have ever visited her.

    Hugs and love to you, dear Marilyn.

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    1. Thank you for the sweet birthday wishes for our daughter, she indeed is such a joy to our hearts! And it was an incredible thing to meet Kendra, such a sweetheart of a lady she is.. you will be blessed by visiting with her :) Hope you are having a lovely Saturday, I will be emailing you a bit later :) Much love to you dear Stephanie!

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  17. Happy St. Patrick's Day and happy birthday to your daughter. Sounds like a perfect day. The photos are lovely too.

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    1. Aww thanks Lux! Appreciate your visits, you a precious friend to me, and I hope you are having a lovely day today! :)

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  18. What a lovely day you all had, and how nice to meet a fellow blogger. No such thing as 'coincidence'!

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    1. No indeed, no such thing as a coincidence... the Lord's perfect timing is impeccable! It was a lovely memorable day, and I give all glory to the Lord for it :) Hugs and love to you dear Elizabeth! :)

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  19. Well, it sounds like you had a fabulous birthday, Marilyn! How wonderful that you were able to meet a sweet blogging friend! I hope to be able to that myself someday. I agree with Elizabeth (above)...no coincidences!! Have a lovely weekend :)

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    1. No indeed, no coincidences with our Lord in charge of the day! It was a beautiful day in so many ways, and for that I am so grateful. I do hope you get to meet a fellow blogger someday too, it is such a joy! Kendra is a dear soul, you will love her should you get a chance to visit her happy place in blogland. Have a blessed day my friend!

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  20. It sounds like you had such a wonderful time with your dear daughter celebrating her special day. We are in a winter wonderland here again and another blizzard is coming on Monday! I guess we do need the snow in our area though for the farmers and the wells. I hope you have a blessed weekend. Happy spring days to you!

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    1. Oh my... I had heard on the news that more snow was coming. That's crazy! We are having beautiful weather here, sunshine and in the 50s, I am loving it! I know what you mean about the farmers and the wells needing water. I'm always glad to see the snowpack on the mountains, because that means the lakes and rivers will have enough water in the hot summer when we get no rain. I do hope that you are able to survive the cold weather coming. Take care my friend, and I will be thinking of you all up there :)

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  21. Happy Birthday to your daughter!! And, it was SUCH a sweet story about meeting Kendra!! God bless you, dear, sweet friend...have a wonderful day!

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    1. It was such a beautiful day that we spent together, and so awesome to meet Kendra too... the Lord is so good like that! Appreciate you dear friend, and praying for you!!!!! Much love and hugs to you too :)

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  22. Thank you Teri... it was a blessed day in so many ways! I have a lot to do this weekend, and the sun is shining too, always a plus! :) Have a blessed weekend too my friend!

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  23. Marilyn, What a blessed birthday, what a great relationship you all have ~ When I first saw the photo of you and Kendra I thought she was your daughter. Until I read the post ~ How neat to met a blogger friend. Have a lovely evening!

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    1. LOL... that is too funny... I guess a lot of people think we look alike on her facebook page too! It was really special to meet a fellow blogger in person! Appreciate your visit as always Teresa, and hope you are having a wonderful week! :)

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  24. What a special day :-)) That is so fun to meet a blog buddy.
    I love what you wrote about your daughter. xx oo
    Sending a Hug for the start of the week,
    Carla

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    1. It was a really fun and special day, and especially getting to meet a fellow blogger so unexpectedly, loved it! Appreciate your visit dear Carla, and pray you are having a blessed week :)

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  25. Happy belated birthday to your daughter! I'm glad you were able to enjoy it together and what an interesting way to meet a fellow blogger. I'm another one who pictured you as brunette lol so that was a SURPRISE. Ya the years when they are tiny like that are so precious and remind me because my own daughter is growing how fleeting time is.

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    1. LOL, that is too funny, how we have impressions of people and what they look like... it was a wonderful way to meet another fellow blogger, and I look forward to the day when we might meet! If you ever come south this way, let me know, and I would love to have a visit! It is true, our children grow so fast, it is hard to believe! Time really is quite fleeting. Bless you dear Ronda, and praying that the Lord is with you through this week in all you have to do!

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Your comments are blessings to me, and I appreciate each and every one, they are precious to me! I appreciate you taking the time to comment on my blog... this is what makes blogging worthwhile! Have a blessed day!

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