TWENTY

For those of you who loathe the silly, sentimental, parental prattle and the unprovoked sharing of photos only a mother cares about birthday post -----flee now.


I just can’t help myself. It’s not like I will do this every year. I just want to do it once for each child, to put in my journal. Really.

Twenty years ago I was yelling at my husband to, “LOOK AT ME, NOT THE D#$% MONITOR!!! I AM THE ONE IN LABOR YOU IDIOT!!” I will spare you all the rest of that conversation. After 10 hours of labor and screaming at the nurse who was holding the baby in because the doctor didn’t have his scrubs on yet----I got this prize----

I just want to reach right in that picture and nibble on those cheeks and squish that perfect little person! She was my “squishy”, snuggly; I only want my mamma baby.

Nat has been a performer since day one. At 5 months she started throwing her head back and howling—just like a wolf—a little, hoarse, baby wolf—but it made everyone laugh---and she was hooked.

This fashion statement happened the night her Dad took her and some friends to see "Signs". I didn't ever see it but apparently it is relevant.... but I think she looks like Zena, Warrior princess with a hangover.
As a Mother, I can't help but feel a sense of pride as I notice that MY child is the only one who fit the WHOLE cookie in her mouth.........








I’ll never understand how this child......



































who we had to fight daily just to keep her clothes on and….
to make her keep her pull ups on the right part of her body………

















grew up to be the most modest, all parts of my body must be covered, young woman that she is today!!
















Natty, you take my breath away. …….

With your beauty.....

Your courage........


























And your strength.

This is Nat 4 wheeling to the Hole in the Rock,inUtah when she was just 13.

I love you for your adherence to what you know to be true. For your shiny, happy soul and for so many other things but most of all….

Because you love me!!

How I got so lucky as to share her journey for the last 20 years---I’ll never know.

Happy Birthday Natty Gann!