Birthday Wishes

On the eve of her birth I sing.......Happy birthday to you.... happy birthday to me...... Happy birthday to us...... Happy birthday dear Gabbi.... Happy birthday to you!So here I am again-  two weeks later- wishing my youngest daughter a happy 12th birthday!!!  It's super cool that my girls'  birthdays are so close together- and so ridiculous that they are so close together... what WERE we thinking???  It's cool because I'm in party planning mode for two birthdays and the Super Bowl all in the same week... to that end- I'm insane and totally exhausted!I know that everyone says that they can't believe that their kids are growing up so fast... but it's really the truth.  I see her underfoot everyday as we dash to school and sports, and scrap over chores and responsibilities... and then I look across the island and wonder who the beautiful woman in my kitchen is  who's cooking dinner!  Gabs is funny and creative- athletically gifted, kind and smart- with stunning looks years beyond real age.We're so proud to be her parents and are so grateful that we were chosen to be her parents!  

{ Here's a movie I made her a couple of years ago if you want to see some OLD photos...}

http://didi-mycrazycrazylife.blogspot.com/2011/02/brithday-baby.html

Happy Birthday Baby

Happy birthday to you.... happy birthday to me...... Happy birthday to us...... Happy birthday dear Oni.... Happy birthday to you.

Today marks 14 years since we welcomed this gorgeous creature into our lives.  Our miracle baby- the one we had worked so hard for and prayed so long for. She was finally here.  

Oni is my heart- {her sister Gabbi is my soul}....  so vital to my existence and for so many wonderful and different reasons.  I'm so blessed to chosen as a momma!

I wish for you today Oni ~ a day full laughter and learning, hope and strength for tomorrow and joy and contentment forever.

I love you my not so little {anymore} one!

xoxo Momma

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I made a video post a few years ago for her birthday if you would like to view it click on the link:

http://didi-mycrazycrazylife.blogspot.com/2011_01_01...

Halloween

If you know me personally or have been to my home- you know that  I dig decorating for the holidays.... 

ALL  OF THEM..... as a matter of fact.

Halloween is my number one favorite,  followed closely by Christmas and then Easter-

The other 3-4 decor looks are default because I can't NOT decorate.....{pardon the double negative}  but Halloween has a special place in my heart- and holds as many bin spaces in my garage as my Christmas decorations!

My birthday narrowly missed Halloween by just a few minutes - so pretty much every birthday of mine has had a Halloween theme- and I'm totally fine with that- because ever since childhood- my birthday is actually two days of celebrating and who doesn't like to have a two day party???

Seriously- oodles of candy followed by birthday cake and yummy fall comfort foods...

Uhmmmm.... hell yeah!

I am crazy late in posting these- and I really scaled down my decorations this year

{YES- this is the scaled down version} just because I'm trying to crank out everyone's fall images.

But I did want to share a few shots with you all. 

I'm anxiously awaiting next weekend so that I can re-create my home and put up the Winter Wonderland....

Stay tuned!

xoxo Didi V

My daughter Onika giving me her best 40's babe look

My youngest daughter Gabbi strutting her peacock princess look

Even the powder room and kitchen get some spooky love....

 And if it stands still long enough- it gets draped in something.....

 

The Sun and the Moon...

When I was a little girl (and for always I guess) ...She used to sing that I was her sunshine.... and it donned on me today- she was my moon.  The moon is what helps to keeps us balanced on this planet- the push and pull of the ocean tides, weather and gravity, etc. 

She was my gravity... she kept me centered in the face of life's biggest storms. She was my safe harbor, my protector,  and she taught me everything I needed to know about life and how to be a good person.  She made me work hard, sing loud and laugh even louder.

Today my beautiful momma would have been 58.  Happy birthday mom... I love and miss you so much....  Thanks for being my moon. xoxo Doo-Anne

*I'm so glad that she let me catch a few shots of her- it was rare.  I ran across these the other day and it made me smile to see her smiling back at me.  Please don't put off having photos taken of yourself- you never know how much of a gift you are leaving behind!*