Missing the Birthday Girl

I'm pretty sure we've never been away from one of our kids on their birthday. Two years ago we very nearly missed Carlie's birthday, but we got home with Cooper two days before. So today, as Carlie celebrates her 8th birthday without us, I'm feeling sad. This being away from the five to bring home the two is so very hard. I'm feeling the ache of empty arms.

I'm a mommy without her birthday girl, but when I think of it I realize there are a lot of birthday girls without their mommies today. Today I'll choose to embrace 25 little girls who long for a mommy....and then my arms maybe won't ache so badly.

Carlie, I can't wait to have you in my lap reading a Christmas story together. Happy birthday, sweet girl.