Sarah turned 14 at the beginning of March. We got to visit Nanee and Popee a little before her birthday.
They had a couple presents for her to unwrap. One present had some clothes, and the other had a tricky surprise.
We had talked before hand, about Sarah getting a phone for her birthday, but she had no clue... She opened a box which contained three old style flip-phones. There was a note from Popee that said she could pick one of those phones... She was super excited! Then she saw that there was more...
Another note that said keep looking.... and another note that said, JUST KIDDING, we have an appointment with the cell phone company to pick out a NEW phone for her that afternoon!!!! She was then beyond happy and excited!!! She absolutely could not believe what she was being given, it was just what she had been wanting and asking for. (I love her expressions in these photos as she opened this box, read the notes, got excited, and was so very grateful and overcome with her happiness.)
Below, with Popee, getting her new phone.
The evening of Sarah's birthday I took all three kids to see the new Disney movie, Raya and The Last Dragon. (Eric was out of town that night.)
Then we went to Dairy Queen for some special treats and an ice cream cake, and dinner from Taco Bell. While in the Taco Bell drive through line, Sarah got a special birthday video call from Aunt Lindsee, Uncle EP, and Will.
The next day, after Eric got home Sarah opened her gifts from family, and then we went to eat dinner at the restaurant that she picked, Olive Garden.
She got some new hair combs, a brush, and athletic headbands from Phoebe.
Some clothes, and a hat from Eric and I... and, Silas gave her a cross necklace.
Our family played a fun game of girls vs. boys basketball before going out to eat.
The Olive Garden gave Sarah a special dessert and sang "Happy Birthday" to her.
One Sunday, after church, I took a few 14 year old pictures of Sarah... I had a secret plan with some of her friends that wanted to "surprise" her that afternoon for ice cream at Braum's...so I needed to take some pictures of her and then get our whole family to Braum's by 1:30 for the "surprise". The plan worked perfectly!
If you're HAPPY and you know if JUMP for JOY! FOURTEEN!
When we arrived at Braum's, Sarah's friends were already there sitting at a table, waiting on us to arrive. As we were walking in Sarah said to me, "I hope no one is here that I know." I smiled and didn't reply. We stood in the entryway for a moment before Sarah looked around and spotted her friends... She still didn't realize it was a surprise for her until she walked to the table that they were all sitting at and then noticed the balloons and gifts for her. Then she was so happy and couldn't stop smiling. Below, Wyatt, Sarah, Kenna, and Jax. These are some of Sarah's best friends. I am thankful for each one of them and I am very grateful for the friendship that they all share.
We all ate some lunch and an ice cream pie together, Sarah opened her gifts from her friends, and then they all came back to our house to play some basketball together for an hour or so.
The girls each got a fun friendship bracelet, a star, moon, and sun.
Later our family enjoyed one of Sarah's favorite desserts, a Dairy Queen ice cream cake.
Happy 14th birthday to our Sarah! You are growing up so very quickly. You are determined, lovely, kind, fierce, and beautiful! You are an athlete, and an all A student. You set the bar high for yourself and work hard to achieve the things you want. I hope that you will continue to be a leader in school and aim high in all you want in life. God will bless you for your faithfulness and commitment to Him and not the world. Shine on, Sarah!
Love, Mommy
