Charlotte turns THREE! Gods blessing!

Yesterday was Charlotte's 3rd birthday! It was such a special day for her and really for us all. There was once a time a few short months ago that we were so afraid we wouldn't be able to get her to this day. And then if we did, what would it be like? Where would we be? How would she feel? We felt unbelievably blessed to be EXACTLY where we are in time and together to celebrate Charlotte.

Yesterday, when I would ask her to tell someone her special news, instead of saying it's her birthday she would say "No hospital today!" This is her world. She was just so happy to have a break after almost 5 weeks everyday of being in or at the hospital. Brian and I advocated for her to have the day off if at all possible and the team said YES! So we had gorgeous weather and a special Golf cart donated by H.E.A.R.T.S. for pediatric bone marrow transplant patients and their families to use while recovering. So she and I rode around the golf course next to Duke and had a picnic.  We had a blast! Then in the evening, Brian and the kids, along with my mom and Mike (choochoo), came to the apartment for a Frozen themed dance party complete with an Elsa cake donated by Icing Smiles. She wanted and got an Elsa watch from her siblings and after seeing her joy riding a tricycle up and down the PBMT halls, we got her her very own. She happily danced and sang to Frozen with Taylor. Ate some cake, and then rode her trike outside while her brother and sister tagged along. And for that moment in time, everything was as it should be. The children were playing together, Charlotte felt good, and we could simply celebrate her turning 3 while reaching all these milestones as she battles this cancer.

Brian and I thank God for this fight and for these children he has trusted us with. We struggle, we don't always get it right, and we don't have all the answers...but God has given us these beautiful little people and we will do anything we can to be worthy and not let them (or HIM) down. And when times are tough, and we are exhausted emotionally and physically, when patience is tested and our understanding is challenged, we remember this. We were made with the strength to live this life and the wisdom seems to come as we need it.  Charlotte keeps showing us the way as we just try to keep up.

3 and FABULOUS haha 

Charlotte and mommy at Golf Course courtesy of Duke PBMT 

Elsa cake!

With Choo Choo 

Riding her tricycle with Parker and Taylor 

Thanks for the rainbow tutu Aunt Debbie and Uncle Chuck! 

Wearing Lipgloss and carrying her nail polish and lip gloss kit from Grandma

Dancing to frozen sound track 

With Grandma

Riding after clinic today

Collecting leaves in her trunk for a craft later

A family picture here in the apartment. Home is where your family is 

These two...Charlotte says PHOTOBOMB!

While Brian stayed home with Charlotte, I got to take these 2 out for some pumpkin farm fun last weekend. We rode horses on a trail ride, corn maze, slides and bouncing. I miss them so much.