My Birthday

Wow, I was BEYOND blessed this year! I am so grateful to have such wonderful friends who love me and want to celebrate me on my birthday! I had 5 birthday celebrations, only 1 of them I knew about! (FYI - the actual date of my bday was July 13)

On Wednesday July 8: Jenni, Autumn, Katie, and Charmaine put together a surprise birthday party for me at the Latrielle's house (which is where I go everyother Wednesday to learn how to cook.) I was totally surprised and thought it was so fun to be with friends who love me!

(me blowing out the candles on the yummy cake they got me!)

(group shot in the Latrielle's backyard)

On Friday July 10: I got to celebrate my birthday with my family. My dad cooked a delicious dinner and my mom got a cute little strawberry shortcake! I love my family!

(Cameron and I ready for some delicious cake!)

On Saturday July 11: I went out with some friends to The Swingin' Door in San Mateo. The first floor is like a British Pub with karaoke, and the top floor is a dueling piano bar. SERIOUSLY, SO. MUCH. FUN!

(group shot at the dueling pianos)

On Monday July 13: Which was my ACTUAL Birthday, Charmaine took Cameron and I out to dinner at PF Changs in Palo Alto. Such delicious Chinese food!

On Tuesday July 14: I always go to young adult caregroups at Red Morton Park. I still don't know who planned this part, but I was given an awesome birthday cake and everyone sang Happy Birthday. It was such a blast and total surprise!

I'm seriously blown away that I got to celebrate my birthday so many times this year! Hooray for being 22! :)

Lucky

So this is going to sound cheesy, but it has always been a

"dream" of mine, to be on a walk with a guy and he spots a beautiful flower on our walk and picks it and puts it in my hair. I don't know why, but I think that would be SO AMAZING! haha, i'm laughing at myself as I type this! Well, yesterday, I was on a walk with Cameron, yes, my sweet 3 year old boy, and he stops very abrubtly on our walk and says "hold on one minute, mama" and he walks over to a group of purple flowers growing on the sidewalk, picks one, and says "I picked a flower for you, I love you!" OH MY GOSH! Yes, MY DREAM came true through my 3 year old boy. Much, different then I ever thought it would be, but it happened! I'm so blessed. I love him! Maybe one day, that will happen again! :)

Cousins

On Sunday for father's day, my whole family enjoyed a quite afternoon at the park with Cameron. He was the only kid at the playground! All of a sudden, I see another little kid at the park, but nobody with him. I'm looking at the boy and thinking that he looks so familiar. Then, it clicks, I was like, I think that looks like Cameron's cousin Sebastian. Sure enough, Daniel, Cameron's uncle, comes to the park with his other son Andres. Sebastian is 4 1/2 and Andres is 8. It was so random. The boys played together so well. I talked to Daniel for an hour! He said they want to be involved in camo's life and the boys always ask how come they don't get to play with their cousin Cameron like they do the rest of their cousins. Isn't that crazy!?!? Such an unplanned meeting for us, but i'm reminded of how present God is in every situation, and it wasn't just coincidence, but a divine appointment set up by God! Plus, crazy that it all happend on fathers day!

Here is a picture of Cameron with Sebastian and Andres. (I think it's so funny that both boys are full Mexican and Cameron is only 1/2 but he is so much darker! haha)

Kaden's 1st Birthday

Kaden turned one already! I can't believe it. Kaden is the son to my sweet friend Melinda who lives in Fresno with her husband Peter and almost 4 year old daughter Kaylie! I posted about Kaden being born here. I cannot believe it has been a full year! I love him so much. Here are some pictures from his 1st bday celebration!

Daddy's Birthday

Well, once again, I'm behind here on my blogging! June 12 was my dad's birthday. I love him so much! It was a low key evening with dinner and pineapple upside down cake (my dad's favorite!)

I love my dad's gentle spirit. He is so kind and loving and somehow always makes me feel special! He is so full of energy and can brighten up an room he walks into. He is so fun and always wants to go, go, go. Cameron enjoys doing "projects" with my dad, whether it be gardening, or taking cans out to the recycling. My dad can turn anything into a fun activity.

The way my dad has modeled unconditional love to my mom, my sister, myself, and Cameron is amazing. His patience, understanding, and selflessness blows me away. I'm one lucky girl to have such a special daddy! I love you!

Here's a picture of Cameron and Papa on his birthday! :) (ps - doesn't my dad look great for 59!?)

My Girls

Yesterday, Katie and Lauren came to watch Cameron towards the end of his tennis class. During his class he saw them and yelled hi, then turned to the teacher and said, "Those are my girls." Hahahahaha.

Identity

A few weeks ago I listened to this video on my friend Tony's blog.

This line stuck out to me: GOD'S DAUGHTERS NEED TO BE LOVED THE WAY CHRIST LOVED THE CHURCH.

I have been processing that line in my head over and over. It reminds me of God's truth, and the value that I have in Jesus.

So often I believe I deserve less, or I am not good enough, or that being disrespected is ok. But those are lies. God holds my identity and His love surpasses it all. I have no need to settle for anything less because I am a daughter of the King.