She sits next to me in the car, touching the screen on her ipod, her hair pulled back into a bun. I glance at her, and watch her as she gets out to teach a ballet class, and my heart wells with pride.
She’s growing up. The little girl who would sit in my arms begging for me to read her a story now is now just a shadow. A memory.
Today is that sweet little one grown up’s 14th birthday.
It was 14 years ago today, at 11:59 pm that Chloe Laurella was born. Right as a day was ending, just on time, and early for the next day. Her birth was balm for my soul, for my family. She was born seven days after my grandmother, Laurella, died. And Chloe, she was hope and healing for us all.
Now, she’s grown. Beautiful.
Motherhood is so bittersweet. In one moment they’re tiny, little babes and the next almost grown. Let my eyes be awake, be aware, for all the moments, the glorious in the everyday.
Happy 14th Birthday Chloe Laurella. You are loved. So loved.
20 comments
Happy birthday to your beautiful Chloe! 🙂 My Perri turned 14 in November and it seems to be an even bigger event than just hitting the teens. I mean, 13 was a big deal, I suppose. Becoming a teenager and no longer a ‘child’. But 14? There’s something so much BIGGER there. The words ‘Young Lady’ come to mind, and you know that the little girl you once had is now just a memory. A sweet memory, but a memory nonetheless. Treasure every moment, Rachel. My other girl is 25 and I have no idea how THAT happened! 😉
Hi, I’m a regular reader of yours 🙂 Happy Birthday to your Chloe! I guess this is what they mean when they say “the days are long but the years are short”. She’s beautiful, hope she has a great day!
she is so gorgeous. all of your kids are so talented and amazing all in their own way. i’m always impressed by that. happy birthday, pretty Chloe!!! may the Lord bless you every year and grant you many many more.
enjoy your coffee! : )
xoxo!
Happy 14th Birthday Chloe!
What a beautiful young lady you are. How very, very blessed you are to be born into such a wonderful, loving God centred family.
Have a wonderful, blessed day and a year full of joy, new experiences and the presence of God.
Blessings,
<><
happy birthday chloe!! that is lovely :))
-jocee <3
Happy Birthday chloe! 🙂 Rachel.. the love is overflowing from this post! so BEAUTIFUL!
Happy birthday, Chloe! Hope you have a blessed day!
Happy birthday to your sweet girl. They do grow up so fast. Thank goodness we can always hold them in our hearts.
I’m right behind you Rachel. Mine turns 14 in April. It goes by too quickly, but you have new memories to make.
Happy Birthday to your grown up little girl!
Well I think your Chloe not only has a perfectly lovely name, but is also a beautiful girl.
I love that motherhood gives us an opportunity to nurture, to love, to admire, to teach AND to be friends with our children.
All stages are just wonderful!
Happy birthday to your lovely daughter.
Happy Birthday to your daughter!
My boys are still young and I can’t believe how much they have grown up already…how many memories are moving further and further into the past.
Happy Birthday to your beautiful daughter!
Happy Birthday to your ever growing daughter. Makes me sad to think that mine will be 14 in the blink of an eye. Your daughter is beautiful indeed. Hope she has a wonderful day:)
Happy birthday to your sweet Chloe! It’s hard to see our kids grow up, isn’t it? But it’s also beautiful to see what the Lord does in their lives and to see how He’s using those amazing talents that we’ve been nurturing for years. Be encouraged that your sweet spirit is reflected in hers!
What a sweet post.
Happy Birthday to Chloe!
Your girls are beautiful!
“Let my eyes be awake, be aware, for all the moments, the glorious in the everyday.”
Amen!
And Happy Birthday to your lovely young woman!
Happy birthday to your lovely young lady!
Happy birthday, Chloe! Hope you had a fantastic day!
Continuing to pray!
Romans 5:6-9 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
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As my two year old lay cradled in my arms time giggling and begging me to tickle her “mone” (more), I looked at my hubs and said, “Do you realize that in a minute she’s going to be a teenager not wanting me to do this to her. That’s why I am treasuring every minute.” Man I wish she wouldn’t grow up. I’m sure you feel the same.
Just find this post by pure coincidence… searching the Internet I just landed here… and what a lovely lovely post I found and precious lovely young lady… belated happy birthday! From far away.
Cielo