Its been 9 years. Where has the time gone?
You have grown so fast, and are turning into such an amazing person.
I look at your face, and I see a million things.
I see an amazing little person who has made a difference in the world. A person who changed me the minute you took your first breath. I see a piece of me, that I can literally hold on to. I see a life full of love, happiness, laughter, innocence, hope, faith, honesty, and the future. I see someone who beats all odds, a fighter. A person, who with one look, flashes a million memories across my mind. Times that may not have been, if I listened. If I didn’t keep you. If I didn’t have faith. If I didn’t fight for you. If I didn’t believe they were wrong. If my idea of perfect, was their idea of perfect.
But my idea was not the same. If it were I think of the love I would not have felt, happiness that would not be, memories that wouldn’t exist, tears I would not have shed, pain I would not have felt, experiences that would not have lead us to today. Today, nine years of a life I would not known. How sad that would have been.
They told me you would not even live, to be 20 weeks gestation. Then you did.
They told me if you even lived to full term, and I was “lucky” enough that you weren’t still born, that would be limp and not breathing.
Wednesday September 29th at 1:58 pm- your limbs weren’t limp, your fists were closed and you were ready to fight. Ready to prove them all wrong.
At first breath, a breath I was told you would need to be resuscitated to take-you screamed as loud as you could! It immediately silenced, as they placed you on me, and I said your name-Alexa. You stopped, and looked right at me. The face I had so longed to see. Eyes I waited so long to look into. So aware. So content to be in my arms. Finally.
You were 9lbs 20 inches long. To me you were PERFECT.
There I looked at you. Instantly loving you, and so in awe of the amazing gift I was entrusted to care for.
A child I was told and encouraged not to keep. Told that I had my entire life to have a “perfect family”. I’m still not sure what they meant by perfect because you were perfect to me. It didn’t take 9 years to figure out they were wrong. I knew the minute God gave you to me that this is what perfect is. I often wish they could all see you now.
Everyday you prove “them” wrong, with every smile, every hug, every I love you…………every accomplishment-big and small, everything you do, you prove you are what perfect is.
You, Alexa are my definition of PERFECT.
per·fect play_w2(“P0187000”)
(pûrfkt)
adj.
1. Lacking nothing essential to the whole; complete of its nature or kind.
2. Being without defect or blemish: a perfect specimen.
3. Thoroughly skilled or talented in a certain field or area; proficient.
4. Completely suited for a particular purpose or situation: She was the perfect actress for the part.
5.
a. Completely corresponding to a description, standard, or type: a perfect circle; a perfect gentleman.
b. Accurately reproducing an original: a perfect copy of the painting.
6. Complete; thorough; utter: a perfect fool.
7. Pure; undiluted; unmixed: perfect red.
8. Excellent and delightful in all respects: a perfect day.
tr.v. (pr-fkt) per·fect·ed, per·fect·ing, per·fects
To bring to perfection or completion
Me and my girls yesterday
Happy Birthday my special girl! I hope you know how much you have brought to our lives, everyday. I cannot imagine a single day without you in it! You are a true gift, and I cherish every moment I am able to have with you, and an honored to be your mom. I only hope I can bring to your life a fraction of the love and joy you have brought to mine.
I loved you from the instant I knew of you, and I will always love you!
xoxo
mom
114 Responses for "Nine-"
OMG girl I am in tears. So eleoquent, and so well said. I am so glad you and Alexa proved them wrong. Many many years of more happiness!!!! Happy Birthday Alexa!
NOthing I could say, would express what I felt reading your words.
What a lovely tribute to a lovely daughter. You are both so blessed to have each other, hope you had a wonderful birthday, Alexa.
Ya’ll are all so beautiful!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEXA!
Hugs & Many More Blessings.
Not only has she brought so much to your lives, but through you, to ours too!
Em
lauren…i am in tears here after reading that entry…it was beautiful! i’m sure alexa knows how fortunate she is to have you as her mom!!
happy birthday sweet little alexa!!!
That was truly written from your heart. I hope you will scrapbook what you wrote… it is so beautiful. Reminds of some of the things that Erica (I-don’t-know-her-last-name but she has a scrapbooking blog) writes. I have a special needs child, too… child onset bi-polar disorder. He is 19 years old now and I love him so much! Reading what you wrote brought tears to my eyes.
God gives us only what HE knows we can handle, you a role model, woman, Mom and wife, I applaud you. You ARE the best Mommy I have read of/about in many blogs I get and read each morning.
Did I forget to say a wonderful Stamper!:)
Lauren,
What a BEAUTIFUL post!! You turned me into a blubbering mess!
Alexa is definitely a fighter..just like her mom. I am quite certain she will love reading all your blog posts when she’s older. What a lucky girl!
Happy Birthday Alexa!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEXA!!!! Enjoy the day!!
And thank you Lauren for letting the world know just how special and perfect these little girls are~ as you know, I know firsthand~ and wouldnt change a thing in our perfect world!!!
You should have warned us that we needed a tissue to read your post today. Sniff. Sniff. Good job Mom at raising a lovely 9 year old and congrats on beating the odds. Happy Birthday Alexa you are lucky to have a Mom that loves you sooooo much!
WOW this is priceless. Happy Birthday Alexa. Your picture of the three of you is just adorable.
Through the tears, I wish Alexa a HAPPY BIRTHDAY and many, many more…..Beautiful, Beautiful..enough said.
Love XOXOXOXO
Happy Birthday Alexa! The three of you are Perfectly Beautiful, just as God made you in His image.
Lauren, thanks for sharing your lovely tribute to your beautiful daughter.
Alexa, you are a blessing to the world! Happy, Happy Birthday!
FABULOUS tribute to Alexa!! I am SO glad you didn’t listen to “them” as each and every life is so precious, has so much to give to the world, and so much to teach us! It sickens me how the world/medical field is so quick to want to get rid of anything that isn’t “perfect” as per THEIR definition of perfect – who gave them the right to define perfect! Thanks for standing for life, for loving and growing through Alexa and for showing the world how wrong “they” were regarding her. (((hugs)))
Hi Alexa and Mom, I wish you the happiest of birthdays full of surprises you are both so special. Thanks for sharing your stories. I am lucky to have found this beautiful page full of love. Happy Happy birthday beautiful little smiling face.
What a wonderful little girl! You are both so lucky to have each other. I have an older sister (49) who is mentally challenged (don’t like the word retarded because of all the teasing when we were kids). Doctors told our mother she would always be a burden, but she has always been a treasure. Even now she is a charmer, playful, and ever the flirt! 🙂
That is a beautiful picture of 3 very strong and stunning women. No one can deny how truly blessed you are. Thank you for sharing with us.
-M
Are you trying to make us cry?!? Happy Birthday Alexa!
you made me cry Lauren! Darling picture and I like how Noah is still in it! LOL!
That is so sweet….what adorable girls you have. Happy Birthday Alexa!
OMG, BEAUTIFUL! Def had me in tears. Those photos are gorgeous. I hope you frame the one of the 3 girls simply beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEXA!!!! Hope you have a spectacular day!!!!
Lauren…beautiful. {{{HAPPY HUGS}}} 🙂
When other people think they have the answers, God is the only one that truly knows…it’s up to us to listen to that tug in our hearts to say, With God, all things are possible!
Happy Birthday, Alexa…..
such beautiful words- you made me tear up!!
Happy 9th Alexa
Happy Birthday Alexa!
Lauren, I’m so glad you listened to your heart instead of the “experts”. What a beautiful, perfect family you have!
Happy Birthday, Alexa!!!! You’re absolutely beautiful…and one lucky lady to have such a special mom!
Now that I have wiped my tears away….beautiful post Lauren!! I wish you and your fmaily all the health, love and happiness this world has to offer:-)
Happy Birthday Alexa!!
Hugs, Kelly
just so beautiful! Happy Birthday, dear Alexa! big hugs to all of you!
and for something fun to watch, go to Tweaks and Designs and see Saturday’s post. it made me smile and giggle to see the video. I think the girls will enjoy it, too! 🙂
Happy, happy birthday to Alexa! A very loving post. Love to see her in the necklace in the photo! Funny how, in the last one, Noah still managed to be “in the photo” of you and the girls! hehehe!
Such a lovely tribute; I’m sittin’ here bawlin’ like a l’il girl!!
Thanks for sharing, Lauren. God bless!
…sniff sniff…gee, I wish someone loved ME that much!!!
You are an amazing Mom, and you were definitely blessed by Alexa’s birth. She is a wonderful addition to your family! And by the way…HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEXA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Your whole family is a precious blessing, and I’m so glad that you realize it! HUGS to all of you! And lots of birthday fun!!! 😀
WOW!
I am fighting back tears. You are a fabulous mother, and you and Alexa are lucky to have each other. What a fabulous tribute to your perfect 9 year old.
Precious, precious, precious post. I am sitting here crying. Thank you for sharing about your PERFECT daughter. Your post reminded me that the Lord’s ways truly are PERFECT. . .they are much higher than ours.
Happy Birthday Alexa!!! Lauren your post is so special, you made me cry. I have a friend from church that her baby son has Down Syndrome, he is so sweet and tiny. He is only 2 months old and next month he is going to have a Heart Surgery, I pray for Him every day, I wish I could do more, but God is great and He loves this Little Guy, his name is Ivan.
God bless you and your beautiful family.
Giovana
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEXA!
And what a beautiful message you wrote about her today, Lauren. God Bless you all!
Big birthday hugs to all the pretty girls in this picture! We send you much love from FL!
Happy birthday Alexa and big hugs to you all. Lauren you need to save this beautiful tribute to your daughter to read when she’s grown up. Ann Lind
Such beautiful words……..Happy Birthday to your perfect little girl, Alexa!
Lauren what a wonderful Happy Birthday to such a wonderful blessing. I hope Alexa has a wonderful Birthday. What a great way to wish her happy birthday. She is a blessing and you are forever BLESSED. Don’t ever forget that.
Happy Birthday pretty girl.
Brittney
Happy, happy birthday Alexa! Lauren, that was beautiful and has me all teary. Thanks for sharing :o) Btw, you look incredible!
Awe, you gave me goose bumps! Absolutely beautiful…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEXA!!!!!!!!!!! I hope your mommy spoils you rotten and you get everything you wished! 😉
Congratulations! What a wonderful story. And Happy Birthday, Alexa! My son was born the same day…he was also a BIG baby (biggest born that day 9lbs 20oz.
Happy Birthday, Sweet Alexa! 🙂
What a blessing you are, not just to your family, but to all of us!
You are perfect and have made a difference in so many lives. I’m so proud of all the accomplishments you have made and hurdles you’ve overcome.
I love your necklace 😉 It looks beautiful on you!
Enjoy your day, Sweetie!
PS. Lauren – what a sweet and beautiful post. Made me all teary-eyed…..Thank you for sharing your pictures. (You look fab, btw)
What a special Mom that new 9 year old has. Both she and her sister are very blessed with a thoughtful, generous, kind person who is raising you to become everything you were destined to become. Congrats to the whole family!
Not only did God give you a wonderful gift in Alexa but God gave Alexa a wonderful gift in you. God bless you both and your whole family.
God Bless!
OMG you made my cry! What a beautiful post for a beautiful birthday girl! Happy Birthday, Alexa!
Happy Birthday Alexa!!!
What an amazing mom you are Lauren and what a great tribute to your daughter. Praise God for the blessing you are to each other!!! 🙂
What a beautiful love letter, to a precious little daughter. Alexa is truly a very special gift, created by THE most “Perfect” hands. Our Lord is “Perfect” and all that he’s created is “Perfect”. You are all truly blessed to have one another. Thank you for sharing your blessing with us.
Happy Birthday Alexa and remeber…Jesus loves you!
Rina Farrar
Makakilo, Hawaii
What a beautiful love letter, to a precious little daughter. Alexa is truly a very special gift, created by THE most “Perfect” hands. Our Lord is “Perfect” and all that he’s created is “Perfect”. You are all truly blessed to have one another. Thank you for sharing your blessing with us.
Happy Birthday Alexa and remeber…Jesus loves you!
Rina Farrar
Makakilo, Hawaii
I had to “de-lurk” to comment on this beautiful post…I usually pop on by to see what wonderful project you have created and today is no exception…your children are the most beautiful projects you have created and your Alexa is just this amazing force to be reckoned with. Not only is she beautiful and precious, she is special and unique, and you can be SO happy knowing that she will fight every day in her life because God knew that she could…and he gave her to you because he knew that YOU were what she needed…
Stamping blogs aren’t supposed to bring a person to tears, but this one certainly has!!! Happy Birthday to the Wonderful Alexa and here’s to another 90 (?? good number no?) more!
what a beautiful beautiful loving tribute to your precious sweet daughter. thank you for sharing with us. Happy 9th Birthday Alex from Andrea here in Canada!
whoops I mean Alexa 😉 Happy Birthday LOL!
Joyeux Anniversaire Alexa !!! Pour cette occasion, je t’ai dédicacé une petite carte sur mon blog. Si tu la veux, je te l’envoies, demande à maman de m’envoyer ton adresse postale.
Happy Birthday Little Alexa.
For this special day, I would like to dedicace you one card, here :
http://scrap.pi-pill.fr/post/2008/09/29/Some-Specials-Flowers-for-a-Special-Girl
If you want it, ask to mummy to send me your snail mail.
Carole
Happy Birthday, Alexa!
And Lauren, you left me crying…
Hugs, all…
Julie
Your words are so moving, Alexa is a lucky girl to have such a wonderful mom. I love that first picture – you can really see how much she looks like you, she has exactly your smile.
Happy Birthday Alexa!
Oh, Lauren–what a beautiful from-the-heart post!
*sniffle*
Happy Birthday Alexa! I hope you all had fun at the bowling party.
And Lauren, wow! You look even more amazing after all your hard work! Can you come to GA and kick my bootie into gear, LOL?
What a beautiful letter to a beautiful girl. Happy Birthday Alexa. God bless you and your family. God’s ways are perfect.
Happy birthday Alexa!
What a beautiful letter!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEXA!!!!!! You are perfect to so many of us! Love ya Alexa! Love ya Lauren! Love to all the Meaders!
Inky hugs –
Rebecca
PS Love your necklace! Thanks for getting that into the photo!
OMG- what a hearfelt-wonderful tribute to your daughters birth and 9th birthday.
Happy birthday honey- you are such a special gift to the world as every child is.
And yes- Mom’s right…you are perfect!!! My twins will be 9 on the 7th- they grow up so quickly. Enjoy every moment!!!
Kim
What a beautiful tribute to your daughter. How lucky she is to have a Mom like you. Happy Birthday Alexa!
What a wonderful note to Alexa! Happy Birthday! May this year bring even more dreams into reality than the years past! May you touch even more lives by being YOU!
Happy Birthday Alexa!
Lauren – thanks for sharing such an amazing tribute to your adorable daughter…really made my day!
Happy 9th Birthday Alexa – wishing you and your special Mommy many, many more birthdays to celebrate together!
Happy Birthday Alexa
What a wonderful surprise to find out we share the same date as birthdays. Of course, there are many years between us. So happy to share this date with such a beautiful and special girl.
Thanks Lauren for sharing and caring.
Happy Birthday Alexa, I hope your day is as special as you are!
I always read your blog and not only are you one of the most talented people I have found, you are a truly inspirational human being. If only there were more people like you. Much love to you and your family.
That was beautiful! It brought tears to my eyes. There was no mistake – God knew exactly what he was doing in making you Alexa’s mom!!
Happy Birthday Alexa – one special girl with one special mom!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEXA!! You are GORGEOUS! And may I say, I love that cute necklace.
Lauren – somebody should have warned me before I read that post. I’ve been a bit on the edge lately, and yes, your post sent me over.
I admire the mom that you are. There is no doubt how much you love your children. Big {{{HUGS}}} from Ohio.
I write this with tears in my eyes. What a heartfelt and touching tribute to your beautiful daughter. How blessed your children are to have you as a mother and how blessed you are to have them in your life. Love and prayers to you, your wonderful husband, and lovely children.
How precious! I am so thankful for my special daughter also. They are perfect in His sight! God bless you all on this special day.
Awwwww… I’m speechless, what could I add? You said it all!
Happy birthday Alexa, God sure knew what he was doing when he placed you in this family!♥ 🙂
Oh Lauren…I need to warn myself before I read posts about your family. They always manage to choke me up. I love your sincerity and heartful messages. Helps me to feel like I know you in a way…and that you are “true people”, which is an important trait in my world.
Happy birthday, sweet Alexa :O)
What a wonderful post, what a lovely family. Thanks for sharing your wonderful life with us all. Happy Birthday Alexa. Think I will go stamp something with your set in your honor!
What a great post. Straight from the heart that only a special caring mother could say. Alexa is growing in to a pretty young lady. The picture of you and both your girls is also nice. Who could ask for anything better. God bless you all. Take care my friend.
Lauren….Now that my key board is all wet!!!(from tears) Wow!!!! Happy Birthday Alexa…. you are one lucky girl to have such and Awsome Mother!!!!!! Alexa is growing into a beautiful girl due to your parenting and guidance…love….suppor… unconditional love….family ties….. you are such a sweet person…. Your children are truely blessed to have you as their mother..!!!!!
XOXO
Missi
Happy Birthday Alexa!
What a wonderful post to your daughter.
Straight from the heart, so touching, so loving.
Your children are so blessed to have you.
ohhhhhhhhhhhh, so sweet.
Tears in my eyes.
What a beautiful tribute – it brought tears to my eyes.
Wish Alexa a happy birthday from all of us. You are both so lucky to have each other!
Happy Birthday Miss Alexa! I am so blessed to know you through your mom. You are a perfect 9 year old girl.
Count me among the teary-eyed! She is so beautiful, Lauren. There is so much pure love just shining our of her eyes. What a blessing God has, indeed, entrusted you with. And what a blessing you have given her in this tribute! All parents need to bless their children like this, verbally, so the kids know that they are a gift from God, that each child is unique, special, a treasure.
Thank you for reminding us all of that. And I am so, so proud of your choice to keep her, Lauren. You’re so right — what you would have missed!!
Grace & peace to you all as you continue your journey together!
Happy Birthday Alexa, your are a beautiful 9yo little girl!!! I hope you have had a wonderful birthday. My best wishes to you. A big birthday hug!!
Most sincerely,
Nurse Allison
OMG! what an amazing post! i was moved to tears! how amazing to the gifts that god sends us….
Happy Birthday Alexa!! Lauren, thanks again for sharing your thoughts with us. You have touched my heart. The three of you are beautiful on the inside and on the outside!
Happy birthday Alexa.
I hope one day she realises just how lucky she was to be born to you Lauren, someone obviously as much a fighter as she is, many women would have just given up. You’ve done well. God puts little miracles everywhere.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEXA!!! hope you had a great birthday. they are so special. i always enjoy telling my kids their birth story on their birthday.
hope it was special.
love laura
have you read The Memory Keepers Daughter? good book
Lauren,
You are one amazing women!!! Happy Birthday Alexa!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRECIOUS ALEXA! 9 is such a special number to be!
Lauren It’s obvious that anyone who comes in contact with your beautiful children are blessed. Guess what???? Your family and anyone you touch is blessed! Including this girl was down south in Bama. Wishing God’s blessings on you and your beautiful family.
when I wrote the book to Celebrate mothers, you were one of the special ones I was celebrating. You are the definition of why God created mothers. To love unconditionally and to protect no matter what any one says to try to sabotage your faith. Happy birthday Alexa, you have so much to celebrate.
Love Ann
What a wonderful surprise to see Alexa’s beautiful picture the moment your blog came up. She is looking healthy and, as always, happy.
Having a child with special needs has enriched my life far more than I could ever give.
Happy Birthday Alexa.
Such a beautiful and loving tribute to perfection!
Beautiful words & beautiful pics. A very touching tribute and an honour to share it with you. I hope Alexa had a perfect day!
GOD knew exactly what He was doing when he gave you Alex. God Bless all of you.
Good Lord Lauren! Now I need to go re-do my makeup, because my mascara is running down my face from the tears!!! That’s what I get for checking in before going to work…lol!!!What a beautiful tribute to your sweet Alexa!! What a special and amazing Mom she has! Sounds to me like you two were a perfect match made in Heaven! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET ALEXA (one day late)!!!! 😀 😀 😀
It never ceases to amaze me that you go about your day doing whatever and all of a sudden you see God’s love shining you in the face. He is always there, I just forget to see sometimes. Thanks for sharing your story and placing the beautiful pictures of Alexa and your family.
Happy Birthday Alexa.
OMG! I’m totally crying right now! That was just beautiful!
Happy Birthday to your gorgeous girl!
What a touching post, I couldn’t help getting tearful.
Alexa is a beautiful little girl and that comes from you Lauren, you’re such a beautiful person inside and out.
*** HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEXA!! ***
hugs
xxxx
I’ve never cried reading a blog before but this sure comes close! Just a beautiful tribute to Alexa and your picture of the three of you is fantastic. I hope someday she will realize what a really special Mommy she has.
Mary
http://www.primitiveseasons.blogspot.com
Oh my gosh, I feel awful…I missed coming here to wish Alexa a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Sorry Alexa!!! Hope your day was EXTRA special and you were treated like a princess!
Wonderful tribute to your daughter, Lauren. You know I’m sitting here with tears running down my face. Just as you probably were while writing it.
CUTE pictures of you all too!!
Happy Birthday, Alexa! God knew what He was doing when he made YOU her mother too, Lauren! Thanks for sharing!
OMG Lauren, you have moved soooo many peoples heart with your wonderful post. I agree with Janice, God knew exactly what he was doing when he gave you Alexa as a gift. You inspire ME with tears in my eyesI wish you and Alexa a wonderful year ahead
XOXOXOXO
aGUSTINA
I couldn´t remember to read such wonderful words with so much love from a mother to her daughter.
You are amazing!
I really like the pics, thank you for sharing it.
Greetings from Germany
Sabine
You have such a lovely way with words, I have such a hard time getting my feelings out onto paper, Happy Birthday to your little girl!
Awww, what great pics! Congrats to Alexa! She is too cute.
An amazing story that gives so many hope. A beautiful tribute to your very own miracle. Happy birthday to Alexa!
You think Alexa’s birthday makes you cry – now its making us cry! What a beautiful thing to write what you did on your blog about your beautiful daughter. It is so kind of you to share so much with us – your “faithful followers”. I’m glad you had a nice day!
I am totally in tears reading this!!!! What a beautiful expression of a mother’s love!!!! And how could you not love that face???? She is beautiful 🙂 Happy Birthday dear sweet Alexa!!!!!
I sit here with my eyes welled up with tears after reading your most beautiful post, Lauren!! Thanks for sharing your wonderful photos too!!
Ok, now that I have sat here crying after reading your beautiful post!!! I wanted to let you know you amaze me each time I “stop by”! Not only as an artist but as a great mother and person. Thanks for sharing your life with us! I love coming to your blog! Tell Alexa “Happy Birthday!”
Your posts are always so amazing and I so enjoy stopping by to read them as well as see your beautiful work. You are all so blessed and it is so wonderful to read how much you all enjoy everyday and each other. Blessings to you and your family and Happy Birthday Alexa.
Good for you Lauren for not listening to the “experts”. It’s shows what they know. You are such a good mommy. Alexa is lucky to have you as you are her. Happy birthday Alexa!
How wonderful. Happy birthday! What a great uplifting story, thanks for sharing it.
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