twinkle / sparkle

L - iphone / L - Nikon

Well it's official now - the holidays are here upon us... and there is a ring on my hand.

Saturday was the opening night of the Atlanta Botanical Gardens Holiday Lights - it was my birthday too. So he took me on stroll around the gardens all aglow with red, blue, pink and green. The night air was pleasant but cool enough to enjoy the warmth of a fire while we roasted marshmallows. The weekend ended with a ring on my hand. : ) I'd say the holidays are off to a great start. Hope yours are as well.

(the ring is so much prettier in person than I was able to photograph it)

20 years of joy

solo post - L

Someone on FB wished me a happy day today, as well as Taylor. And I appreciate that. I think this is as much my day for celebrating as it is hers. My daughter has brought me more joy than I could have ever imagined possible. So I celebrate this day she came into my life 20 years ago.

When they told me I had a baby girl I wasn't really surprised but when they said, "and she has beautiful red hair!" I couldn't believe it. I always imagined I would have a quiet little girl with soft brown curls. Never in a million years did I imagine I would have a red head. I thought, "are you sure she's mine?" Yes, she's my daughter. And she isn't quiet like me (but for this I am glad). She has some of my traits (hope the good ones), and some from her dad, and I guess from someone generations back who had red hair. In her 20 years she has grown from guidance and support from both sets of grandparents, gained knowledge from many, many teachers, matured through friendships and heartbreaks - learned to stand on her own two feet in more ways than one and has developed into a beautiful young woman inside and out.

Taylor you are uniquely wonderful and strong, a most loving daughter, and I thank God for you every single day.