Lindsey turns 42, woohoo!
If you read the previous post Fêtes, Famille, Farewell, you already know this was a strange day for me. It’s hard to wake up on your birthday to a text that a beloved family member has died that morning. I thank the Lord for His abundant grace and care in walking with us all through every moment. We will miss Rob (Tonio’s uncle) terribly, but we are so thankful he is no longer suffering from cancer. I plan to write a post specifically dedicated to Rob very soon.
So without further ado, I would love to share with you three different days of celebrating my birthday!
DAY 1 - 21 February, 2023 - my actual birthday.
God made me special, and I’m glad. =)
I love getting a birthday box from my mom and sister. Always an explosion of fun.
We’re all still in pajamas.
Django models my new slipper socks. And let’s talk about that face… oh man, I want to eat him. Ha!
Gifts from Tata Cricri!
Django was pretty stoked with the champagne box.
So, since I’ve been out of America for a while, I miss all the popular terms and phrases. Bougie means candle in French, but if I’m not mistaken it’s a way of saying something that is super fancy or expensive in America. 10 bougie bougies. Oh ya.
Sleepy morning family picture with Leonidas Belgian chocolates from Cricri.
Speaking of Cricri, here she is. She lost her husband the morning of this picture. They were happily married for 40-something years. I can’t imagine how hard it is for her, but she is still present to give me a hug on my birthday. Thanks Kikik!!! I love you. We will all miss your Robie!
Birthday lunch with my favorite person. Yafo Israeli food is so good!!!
Tonio’s view ;) I’m a big fan of green, so the walls in this place make me happy.
DAY 2 - 22 February, 2023 - the day after my actual birthday.
I really wanted Mexican food for my birthday, so it worked out that everyone was available the day after my birthday. We ate at La Lupita, so yummy!!! Legit tacos =)
I was happy to have the guacamole right in front of me!
Pierre tried on one of the kid sombreros.
After, I took the kids to a park before their appointment with the pediatrician. Daphné has been coming to this park since she was a baby, and it’s fun to see her growth in skill.
Oh man, these two have my heart.
DAY 3 - 26 February, 2023 - the Sunday following my birthday.
And at church the Sunday following my birthday, everyone sang to me and Ellie. She and I share a birthday, which is super fun!
Joyeux anniversaire!
Me and Ellie with our girls.
I will leave you with a beautiful prayer by Douglas Kaine McKelvey from Every Moment Holy:
“You have created each of us, O Lord,
to bear your image in unique expression,
reflecting a facet of your glory
in a way that no other person
in all of history will,
so that by knowing one another
we might also know you better.”
I pray people know Jesus more by knowing me. Thank you Lord!
Love Linz