One Fine Day.

Do you remember that movie, One Fine Day, from the '90s with Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney where they were both trying to get their kids to a school field trip that they were late for?  At one point in the movie, Michelle's character spills something on her shirt and she has a big meeting at work later that day so she throws on her elementary son's dino tee and totally rocks it.  I promise I went out later that week to Target looking for cute T-shirts in the boy's section of the store.  Pretty sure I bought one.  Anyway, this blog is not about that.

Yesterday was Natty's 10th birthday, and it was one fine day!  Actually, a fine weekend.  We decided to get out the big guns and book an overnight at the fanciest hotel in La Paz.  It's beautiful and fancy and has an indoor pool and fabulous breakfast buffet.  We kept it a surprise from her and had a blast trying to trick her into believing we were doing all sorts of things that she wasn't very excited about. 

The morning started with our annual Community Festival at Highlands, which is essentially a whole bunch of soccer tournaments and food sales to raise money for the school.  Natty was initially pretty miffed (do people still use that word?) that it fell on her birthday, as she likes to have every moment of her birthday dedicated just to her and satisfying her every whim.  I mean, who doesn't?  However, she eventually got excited about it and enjoyed hanging out with her school friends and gallivanting all over the school without her parents like the big girl she is.  At one point, right before she started playing soccer with her class, the teacher on the loud speaker announced that it was her birthday and had the whole crowd sing Happy Birthday (my idea)!  She stood perfectly still the whole time, thinking that if she didn't move, no one would be able to see her in her complete embarrassment.  You're welcome, daughter. 

Getting ready to rock the soccer game with her classmates.

After winning her game, we came home, ate the lunch of her request (baked potato and broccoli salad) and took off on our surprise adventure.  When we rolled up to the hotel, she still wasn't sure what was going on.  But, when we walked through the sliding doors into the swanky, massive lobby and caught a glimpse of the shimmering pool surrounded by sky-high glass windows and lush gardens- she got excited. 

Even more so when she saw her huge room with the huge bed and the free toiletries!  It's the small things, right?  We swam, we ate in bed, we watched a movie, we told Natty what we loved about her.  It was awesome. 

Dinner in bed- that never happens!

After a sound sleep, we had a leisurely buffet breakfast where Scotty and I paced ourselves and tried to out eat each other while the kids ran in and out of the dining room while nibbling on their food, but mostly enjoying the kids playground outside.  That was followed by a family devo time, some more swimming, and lunch at a local restaurant where all the kids were hungry/tired/crabby and the food took FOR. EVER.  But, we even managed to laugh a little there when we started taking slow-mo videos on my phone.  

I was able to work us a late check-out time, so after walking back to the hotel, the boys crashed on the king size bed (Mo had come down with a low-grade fever by this point) and I hit the pool and hot tub one more time with the girls.  It was a dream birthday weekend for Natty!

And now, I've officially been a mom for a decade.  My sweet, sensitive, smart, sympathetic, silly Natty is such a blessing to our family. 

That alliteration was intentional, but all true, by the way.  She brings life and drama and laughter and depth to this house and I can't imagine life without her.  I know that she will have some challenging paths to wander but she is a seeker and I trust that the Lord will hold her hand the whole way- and mine as I learn to let her learn.  We love you, Natalie Inez!!