Naomi's Day

Naomi enjoying her Birthday meal

Yesterday was a milestone in our family.  Naomi turned 10!  That's right...she is now and forever double digit. Unless, of course, she lives to be 100.  No more going back from this day forward. She began her day by eating her star muffin that is a tradition around here on birthdays. We then waited for her "birthday dinner".  This year Naomi chose tacos.  Yep, that's right - not adobo like last year.  Tacos...a good old American thing.  Her dinner was served on the Star plate complete with candles lighting the table.  She ate tacos with beans and meat, queso and even guacamole. Good ole fashion dinner for our family- we just love Mexican food around here!  I can't forget to mention the ice cream cake that Naomi chose -chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream served with chocolate syrup drizzled on it. Yummy!

Part of birthday celebrations in the Worthey family consist of the children choosing an activity to do with the family.  Naomi chose to go rock climbing in an indoor gym.  She has seen the pictures of her family doing that activity and , for about a year now, has said she "wants to do that".  So, this afternoon we are venturing off to spend the day in an indoor climbing gym.  I can't wait to watch our little 4'5 inch 42 pound Filipina put on a harness and rope and begin the adventure of climbing up a wall.  Memories will be made and pictures will follow.

Naomi having fun on her birthday

As we sat around the dinner table last night celebrating Naomi, my mind began to think of the many people who have had an impact in Naomi's life.  I wondered how her foster parents in the Philippines  felt yesterday knowing it was Naomi's birthday. I wondered if the memories of the days when she was with them came pouring back.  I wondered if they missed the sounds of the children running around in the yard and the laughter that comes with a child's birthday party.  By the looks of the pictures we are blessed to have of Naomi when she was younger, I  know that her foster parents made Naomi's birthdays super special.

We are forever grateful to a young girl who chose to have a child 10 years ago. We are forever grateful to the doctors, teachers, adults, cousins and friends who had an influence in our daughters life before we knew her.  We are forever grateful to our Lord who numbers our days and knows everything about us before we are ever born.

We wait for the day when Jacob will be eating his birthday dinner around a table with his family who loves him.  I picture the look on his face when he sees his siblings banging their forks on the table wishing him a happy birthday.  For now, though, we are grateful for the caregivers who are watching over him.  For all the adults in Jacob's life who we might never get the opportunity to meet, we say "thanks".  Thanks for taking care of our son while we wait until the day when we can tell him face to face...happy birthday Jacob!

Lorrie