Monday, March 31, 2008



Happy Birthday to McKenna and Sydney!!!!!

I am blessed beyond measure as a mother.

I have three amazing girls... and I had the incredible joy of celebrating two of them yesterday and today. (The 30th is McKenna's birthday and the 31st is Sydney's.)

First off... Happy Birthday to McKenna!

When I gave birth to McKenna WAY back in 1992, I was just a young thing... a mother who really didn't have any idea what it meant to be a parent. All I knew was that I loved this little, almost bald, a little bit blonde, beautiful child more than I ever thought possible. It was hard for me to ever imagine her being a teenager, but I do remember saying a prayer and asking God to guide me as a tried to be the kind of mother I needed to be to raise her into the kind of young woman I dreamed of her being.

And let me just say that she is EVERYTHING a Mom could pray for! I can honestly say that I am amazed everyday by the 16-year-old that she has become! She amazes me daily with her wisdom and faith and feeling and loveliness. She is an absolutely joy, and I learn so much about life from her. She makes me a better person!


McKenna...I love you beyond words. Happy 16th Birthday!!!

And then... Happy Birthday to Sydney!

Sydney was our "surprise" child and, although we were a little unprepared to be parents again after a break of 8 years from Delaney being born, we fell in love with this child as soon as we knew we were having her. And then we met her!! and we fell in love even more! Sydney keeps Gary and I young; she melts our hearts; she makes life interesting; she has us wrapped around her little fingers; she has made our family complete.


Sydney... I love you more than you will ever know. Happy 4th Birthday!!!
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And, yes, we DID celebrate those birthdays this past weekend (how could you imagine that we didn't? lol). You'll remember that Sydney had a party for friends last weekend, and McKenna will be having a Sweet Sixteen Bash with her friends two weeks from now. but we had to celebrate closer to their birthdays. So, last night we had a little family gathering with Gary's parents and grandmother; cousins; and a few of McKenna's friends. There were also cupcakes, which always makes for a good celebration!

(just take a moment and look at Sydney's face in these first three photos. Boy was she ever feeling the joy!!! I just LOVE the expressions of happiness and excitement on her face in them!)





I * heart* birthdays!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

25 comments:

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday to the birthday girls!! Looks like a lovely time was had and yummmm to both lots of cake!!

Adrienne said...

awwwwwww Happy Birthday to your girls!!!!

Monogram Queen said...

Happy Happy Birthday to both of your precious girls.
My Mom's b-day was the 30th too! What a wonderful day!
The cupcakes look ravishing. Ummmm (Cake too but i'm more of a vanilla girl)

Cheryl Wray said...

Sharmaine--We had a great time. Thanks for the birthday wishes!

Adrienne--Yes, AWWW!!! It's SO hard to believe they are growing up!

Patti--I LOVE making cupcakes these days and they turned out really yummy!! (Yes, the 30th is a good day!!)

Edleen said...

I *heart* Birthday too!
i have 3 in April *wink*

Happy Birthday to you Beautiful girls! you are truly Blessed Cheryl and Gary :)

*hugs*

Cheryl said...

Oh my goodness! 16 happens so quickly! She is a very pretty girl. I loved the picture of the teens and your baby was hanging in there just smiling like she was one of them. How cute! You are very blessed. Happy Birthday to both girls!

Lynilu said...

Happy Birthday, McKenna and Sydney!

McKenna, you are being a wonderful example for your sisters in your whole life and obviously a joy to your parents.

Sydney, I'm glad you came along to make you parents stay young and to be a sweet baby sister to McKenna and Delaney! You complete the family!

~Telah said...

Happy Birthday! (squared)

Anonymous said...

Those pictures of them when they wer little are so cute.Looks like a great birthday.

Katrin said...

Happy Birthday to your sweet girls!!! Wish I had one of those cupcakes! :)

hippo chick said...

What a delightful family you have. This is such a joyous time for you. I know you treasure these moments - they go by so quickly.

Enjoy your week.

Linda said...

First, a happy birthday to both of those beautiful girls. They are just adorable. and second, this is a lovely post,so full of joy and love and fun. Love those scrumptious cupcakes too...Eat one for me....Love and Hugs...what a great way to spend a weekend.

camport said...

great post! Happy b-day to your beautiful girls!

:)

Kimberly said...

Happy Birthday to your sweet girls! Hope they had great birthdays! Have a super week!

Anonymous said...

Oh, the cupcakes look just amazing. I'm sure they were Yummy! Happy Birthday to both birthday girls. You seem like a really amazing mom and you are all blessed to have each other.

Cheryl Wray said...

Ed--Ooh, it's almost your birthday too!!! :-)

Cheryl--Sydney just cracks me up! She just jumps in and plays with the older kids!!! yes, I am incredibly blessed!!

Lynilu--What a sweet comment! Thank you!!!

Telah--Hee hee. Thanks!!

Gin--Aren't they cute?

Katrin--Thanks! The cupcakes were good!!!! (actually they still are; I've had two today!!)

Hippo--I really do treasure these days.

Linda--I've eaten two of those cupcakes for you just today!! LOL

Camport--Thanks!!

Kimberly--Thanks for the wishes!!!

Jacquie said...

Happy Birthdays to your beautiful girls!

Andy said...

love the cupcakes.

Jenster said...

Happy Birthday, Girlies!!!

My oldest will be 16 on the 30th of April! '92 was a great year. :o)

And just so you know, I was my parents' surprise baby, too. My sisters were 8 and 10 when I was born - sounds just like your family.

If I may be so bold, I'm SURE I was a joyful blessing all my years! heehee That may be a bit of an exaggeration, but I do know I was loved tremendously and was a very happy girl. Still am!!

Anonymous said...

Cheryl, you do have three AMAZING girls, with gorgeous hearts and very beautiful looks as well! :D Happy birthday to McKenna and Sydney! :D

Auburn Kat said...

Happy Birthday to the girls! Those treats look amazing! This is a perfect excuse for me to have a piece of cake tonight! =)

Mississippi Songbird said...

Awwww. Happy Birthday to McKenna and Sydney!!!!!

Unknown said...

Look how sweet they both are! Happy Birthday girls!

The cupcakes and cake look delicious!

What a lovely post to you two girls Cheryl. They are very lucky to have a Mother like you!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post, wonderful photos! Looks like a lot of fun for all involved.

Happy Birthday to those beautiful girls!

Susie Q said...

Happy, happy birthday!!!
Precious and beautiful girls. Happy birthday celebrations. Happy days!!

Love to you all,
Sue