Happy Birthday India!

Happy Birthday India!!

Yes, today my first baby, 

India,
turns 19 years old.

Don't mind me, 

but

I am a bit wistful.

Where did my baby go?

 I went looking through old pictures

to find that baby face again.

So please bear with me, 

as I waltz down memory lane with my girl.

This picture was taken at the 

Healdsburg Preschool Co-op.

She was a very yummy 3 year old here.

India was about 18 month old in this picture.

We were in Oak Harbor visiting 

Don's Aunt Kris and Aunt Jeanne.

And yes, I was one of 

those mothers.

I had to keep India on a leash because

she was so friendly and inquisitive,

that she would run to total strangers and kiss them.

She is much better about that now! 

She was about 6 months old here and those eyes 

captivated me then,

just as much as they captivate me now.

India and her cousin Tyler have always

been best buddies.

This is one of my favorite pictures of them.

It was taken right before we moved to Denver

to work at Calvary Temple.

India could barely stand the thought 

that we were going to be 

so far away.

India loved ballet and when we lived

in Chicago,

she danced at Miss Jenny's Dance Studio.

This was an Asian inspired dance to the Nutcracker.

I can't actually remember where this was taken, 

but it was before Ahnalin joined our family.

 

Shortly after India was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes,

Uncle Christian surprised her with 

a chance to see her favorite band,

Superchic(K).

In 6th grade, she fell "Dashing into Love"

with her prince Nelson.

And then, when Ahnalin arrived,

India became the

BEST BIG SISTER IN THE WORLD!

Just like her mama, 

she loves to sing!

But she is better than I am.

A few summers ago, we had a girls night

at a Jonas Brothers concert.

I won't show you the picture she took of me,

but I was smocking at the concert. 

She thinks I am a big dork!

Always one to fully immerse herself

in a role, India dyed her 

hair black so she could portray 

Anne Boleyn.

Undeniably,

one of the proudest moments

of my entire life, was watching

my India sing "Defying Gravity"

when she produced and directed

"Showstoppers" last fall.

From the day she was diagnosed

with Type 1, India had been dreaming 

and planning of putting on a 

Broadway style review

to raise funds for the Diabetic Youth Foundation. 

Showstoppers was also her senior project

for graduation.

And she was INCREDIBLE!!!!

Defying Gravity is one of her theme songs

and really addresses how she views life.

I am SO PROUD of my girl!

And then in June,

my baby graduated! 

My baby! 

I know she is not a baby anymore,

and is in fact,

a grown woman.

But she will always be my baby. 

And today,

my baby turned 19.

Happy Birthday 

my precious girl.

I love you.

Love, 

Mommy.