Charlie Serenity: 8.

Today is Charlotte’s 8th birthday. She woke up at 1:00 am throwing up. She’s thrown up over a half a dozen times since then. Happy birthday, baby girl. This one is memorable.

We’d already planned – for the first time ever – to celebrate both her birthday and Pierce’s, which is Monday, together this coming Saturday. I HATE rescheduling birthdays. Makes me cringe to move it to a more convenient day. I’ve never allowed it. But this year, the kids talked it through and agreed they’d like to celebrate when Blaine is home, and him taking a day off this time of year is impossible. So. We made plans to go to Silver Dollar City with friends and instead she spent the day sleeping, shaking, and vomiting. It was memorable, to say the least.  A dear friend brought her a birthday gift anyway. It made her day. We spent much of the afternoon with silly headbands (Hedbanz) on, asking questions to figure out what the card attached to our own headband said. It made for the perfect way to spend the afternoon.

Lord willing, she’ll feel better by the weekend. I’m praying no one else gets sick.

Charlotte played a game on the kindle for a good while today. It’s a rare treat for days like today. At one point, she said with amazement, “Momma! I never told this game my name but it told me ‘Sorry, Charlie!’ when I answered the question wrong!” And so… at eight years old… Charlie learned the phrase “Sorry, Charlie” is generic. Not uncommon. And not speaking necessarily to her.

Happy birthday, Charlie girl. I’m so glad you’re mine.