(Grandma Noanie and Grandpa's Balloon Bouquet)
Happy 16th Heather!
The day began with her usual routine for getting ready for school.
She came downstairs to the finest products on the market for decorating! Her Daddy had streamed the kitchen with pink & black pocka dotted surveying flagging tape. Reusable, I might add since he used it for my birthday back in January and 2 weeks later he showed his artistic abilities on Josh's birthday! I made the signs to compliment his streamers and Grandma Noanie and Grandpa John sent the bouquet of balloons to liven' things up a bit. She came down the stairs and had the biggest smile on her face when she saw all that. Then...
We drove into the school and she saw the wonderful, creative and let's just make sure we point out - original artwork of Sean, (the intentional mispelling of Heather's name) Nikki and Josh on the rock. 
That was just the beginning of the outpouring of affection she would receive for the rest of the day...
I came to the school (upon her request) with Chick-fil-A for her and her friend Cory and 12 cupcakes. When I left the school after lunch I carried the majority of her gifts home with me so she didn't have to lug them around all day.
That evening, we went to Olive Garden for her birthday dinner. Nikki and Ms. Gwen joined us and added much laughter and flare to the evening conversations.
That was just the beginning of the outpouring of affection she would receive for the rest of the day...I came to the school (upon her request) with Chick-fil-A for her and her friend Cory and 12 cupcakes. When I left the school after lunch I carried the majority of her gifts home with me so she didn't have to lug them around all day.
That evening, we went to Olive Garden for her birthday dinner. Nikki and Ms. Gwen joined us and added much laughter and flare to the evening conversations.
(Notice the blue frosting/decorations on the cake, it makes for fun expressions!)
Ms. Gwen is one of my dear friends and has consistently over the years shown unconditional love for my children. Monday night was no exception as she had worked all day, had a late meeting across town and drove all the way back across town to make it to dinner and share in Heather's special day. It was clear she went above and beyond to make it and after dinner when I thanked her for coming and told her that we would have understood if she wouldn't have been there - she immediately said "I came for Heather!" This is not the first time she's "been there for Heather" but a reminder of her consistent love for her.
When we returned home Sean showed up with his gift for Heather. Heather and Sean (Seanathan, is what Heather calls him) have been very best friends for 31/2 years now. 
Sean is originally from New York and moved here prior to their 8th grade year. He lives around the corner from us and spends alot of time at our house. We often joke with him that he's one of our own son's, he just belongs here.
Heather and Sean have a special friendship that I believe will carry on for many years. They are open and honest, silly and serious together. It would not have been a complete birthday if she wouldn't have had time with Sean so we're glad he stopped by. We gently kicked him out around 9:45p because Ms. Heather was slowly fading and it was clear that her cough was wearing her out.
From that point on in, Heather coughed her head off. She did not sleep the night of her birthday and we wound up at the doctor's office the next day. She's been in the bed ever since but is finally on the mends. She was able to hang in there long enough to enjoy her special day.
"This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24My tribute and special words for Heather later...next posting!
I'm going to attempt to add a slideshow to the right side of my blog so you can see all the Sweet 16 birthday pictures.
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