Happy 12th Birthday Laura!

Laura at 12

She is almost a teenager!  That alone wants to give me a heart attack.  How can it be that my beautiful Laura is 12?  She is beautiful and fun and is developing a deep love for God.  This past Saturday we celebrated her birthday with a party.  (We love our parties in our family!)

Laura with a couple girlfriends

Friends and family came over to celebrate.  The weather was perfect, 80 and sunny.  That has never happened.  Laura's birthday is usually cold, sometimes even snowy.  Needless to say, the kids were outside a LOT!

Laura and Megan

We even managed to get Laura's great grandma over.  She fell right after New Year's Day and broke her hip.  After surgery and therapy, she finally was able to come to a family event.

Family... including Great-Grandma

It was a typical party with family, food, and fun.

Laura and her Cousin

Oh... and presents.

And, since it was SO WARM, we had ice cream cake.

All of Laura's sisters were here, which is becoming increasingly rare now that the older ones are beginning to move away.

I have one more year with my girl before she is an official "teenager".   I am so blessed to have her in my life.  She is an interesting kid, with a goal to become a missionary.  That touches my heart, but also leaves in me the knowledge that she is only on loan to me.  God has plans for her, and one day those plans may lead her to not be near me.  But, I trust in His plan.