Katie was born 28 years ago today! How did she get to be 28 so fast? When Katie was born, the Woman's Auxiliary Club at Long Beach Community Hospital sent the babies home in Christmas stockings. There was my new baby, "Katie Noel" next to our Christmas tree.
And in "a blink of the eye" here we were for Katie's first birthday. That year seemed to have flown by!
And once again, in the blink of an eye, Katie was two years old, and now our family had grown with the addition of her baby brother Bryce born in October right before Katie turned two. What was I thinking? And on this birthday, Katie became middle child. Not always the easiest place to be in a family, just ask her!
And when I look back, all of those birthdays seemed to pick up speed as my little baby was becoming a little girl and more independent each day.
My kids were always close, partly because they are close in age, and partly because we were and are truly a family.
Katie's birthdays went from tricycles, to bicycles, to the teenage years and then a car. All, once again in a blink of the eye!
Before my eyes, "Katie Baby" as we use to call her, is all grown up with a baby of her own! Oh, how I wish I could have slowed those years down and enjoyed them more. But the funny thing about life and aging is that as I get older, I enjoy and appreciate my kids even more these days as I watch them grow up and have babies of their own. So on this special day, I have lots of fond memories and am very thankful I still get to celebrate Katie's birthday with her today! Not everyone is as blessed as I am, and I never ever forget that. As I write this post I keep thinking about the song Zach Gill sings, "you watch'em grow, and then one day you let them go". I'm just happy mine didn't "go" too far! Happy Birthday Katie.
I would do ANYTHING for this little girl. Look at that face, how could I not? 
And for my other little girl, Katie, I would probably do just about anything for her as well, as I did last night. Yesterday was Katie's birthday and she wanted to go to Disneyland because SoCal pass holders get "Disney Dollars" which I think is like $72. When we ended up parking on the top of the four story parking structure, I should have known better, why did I listen to her? After all, it's a week before Christmas and the last day for SoCal pass holders. 
Katie wanted to have her birthday dinner at the Blue Bayou and then we were off to "It's A Small World". You know, crowds don't bother me and I'm pretty patient, but it was totally crazy over there! Just to get in line, people walking in every direction was enough for me. If it wasn't for Riley, I would have left, but I'm glad I didn't. 
It was a long wait, and poor Riley was so tired. Look at her little eyes, they tell the story, as my eyes must have looked the same way.
But once it was our turn to climb in the boat and celebrate "It's a Small World" decorated for the holidays, everything turns to magic. And there is nothing better than seeing and feeling that magic through the eyes of a child!
I had to laugh as we neared the end of the ride. All that "Small World" singing even got to Riley a little bit as she covered her ears. Sometimes, even when you shouldn't listen to "her", the memories you take home with you make it all worthwhile!
