First, let me say that Claira has grown into an amazing young lady. Jay and I really wanted her birthday to be a milestone into women hood for her. After conspiring on our own we decided to get the grandmothers involved. It was such a wonderful day!
Claira had no idea what would happen on her birthday.
Feburary 27, 20013
7:00 am
I woke Claira up, said, "Happy Birthday!" and then told her to wear something she felt comfortable, but pretty in.
8:00 am
We arrived at Briar Rose, our favorite bakery. While eating cinnamon rolls we begin to talk about womanhood. I wish I could remember exactly what I said, but basically I told her that being a woman is an amazing gift. She will face many challenges, but with those challenges come sweet victories. I talked with her about how we, as women, have a responsibility to be aware of our mood changes. When we are on our period it isn't an excuse for women to be grumpy and rude to everyone it is a time for awareness and self-control.
Just a month before this God had really impressed upon me that I had the wrong idea about my monthly cycle. I have always viewed it has a time to suck it up and just pretend like everything it fine, even though it isn't and I end up having to do
A LOT of apologizing when it is over. My new approach has been to plan ahead, clear the calendar, and take the week to soak of Jesus and save my energy for my family and say, "No" or "Not this week, but next" to everything else. It has revolutionized me! I explained this to Claira and gave her, what we fondly call , her very own "Exclamation Point Book"
(!)
Jay has joked with me many times over the past 18 1/2 years. That I don't have a period, an exclamation point!!!! I have to agree. I filled Claira's book with verses that apply to how we, as women, feel during our cycle. She loved it and uses it. It was a sweet time for us. I cried, she giggled. God has blessed me with a daughter that loves to talk about everything! There is no "taboo" conversation with Claira and I love every minute of it!!!
9:00am
Claira's first ever 1 hour massage, a gift from her Nonna! Since Claira was little she has wanted a full body massage. On the way to the massage I gave her a card from Nonna. When we pulled up I told her that she was about to experience something that would change her life and I'm pretty sure it did!
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| Here is Claira right before her massage. It was a cold day!! |
11:00 am
Our next stop was Make Up! I handed her a card from Grandma Tulsa and then told her that Grandma T wanted to purchase her make up. Also, since Claira was little she was playing in my make up. She loved pretending to be older than she was. She couldn't wait for the day that she could have her own "real" make up and wear it in public. Well...today was that day!
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| Outside of Ulta with her stash! |
We bought:
foundation
blush
eyeshadow
masscara
lip gloss
brushes
curling rod
nail polish
face wash
moiturizer
lotion etc....
It was SO MUCH FUN!!!!
11:40 am
After Ulta we got in the car and I handed her another card from Grandma. Grandma's gift was a manicure and pedicure but, Claira opted for just the pedicure. She was thrilled! This was also something she had never done and couldn't wait to experience, and once again, today was that day!
12:30 pm
Next Stop: Surprise lunch with Dad! After the pedicure I mentioned having lunch at Noodles. She was excited about Noodles, but said that she was sad that she hadn't gotten to see her Dad yet. As we pulled into the parking lot she noticed his truck and was so excited, "Mom! Dad is here! I'm so glad he is having lunch with me!!!!" I hate he didn't see that reaction.
Jay and I knew that we wanted to present Claira with a purity ring, but didn't want her to think that being pure meant not having sex. He wrote her the sweetest letter and read it to her at lunch explaining that he desires his daughter to have a pure heart for the rest of her life and then asked her to wear the ring if she was willing to accept the challenge of seeking purity in Christ the rest of her life. She accepted the ring and the challenge. This was the sweetest father/daughter moment.
2:00 pm
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| Claira is setting up her Facebook account. |
After lunch Claira was so overwhelmed with everything she had experienced she wanted to just go home and take a nap. But, then she decided that you only have your 13th Birthday once so she decided to make the most of it.
We ended up at Mama Carmen's for afternoon coffee and hot chocolate. It was really fun hanging out and setting up Claira's Facebook page. She was excited to finally have her very own facebook account, although, since she had been on instagram for a while I think it left little to be desired.
4:00 pm
Women who follow Jesus are servants. I wanted to Claira and I to start her 13th year doing something to serve someone else. Since my parents had their fire only a few days before Claira's birthday we decided to head over to the thrift store and buy them some clothing to get them by. While at Potters House Thrift we talked with a few of our friends who worked there. After sharing with them why we were there they decided to donate $100 a free clothing to my parents! WOW! That goes a long way in a thrift store!! Claira and I had so much fun picking out clothing for my parents. It didn't all fit them, but they were so happy to have the stuff that did. Plus, a lot of it was really, really nice stuff.
7:00pm
How in the world do you end such a great day? THE MOVIES!!! Claira and I headed to Rogers to see
Les Miserables. We were the only two in the entire theater. It was so much fun, talking, laughing and crying together.
What a wonderful day we had!!! It was just perfect!
Oh....we can't forget about the friend party!!!!!
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| Glow in the Dark Bowling. Music Videos and all!!!! | | |
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Jessica, Aaron, Claira & Katie Anne
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| This Birthday dessert was amazing: Chocolate Waffles with mint Chocolate Chip Ice cream! |
