Anna's Turned Twenty ❣

Yes she did! When this blog started back in 2010 Anna was only eight years old. Oh how sweet she was and oh what a joy it has been to be her mama and walk this journey of life so far with her. I wrote a birthday post years ago that I stumbled upon and it's accurate. (click HERE to read it) She is still all those things and more! Way back when she was eight I never could have known how much she would be and who she would grow into. Turning twenty is not 'all grown up' but for sure by now her personality is there and I'm grateful for all the 'things Anna is'.

She is

kind

compassionate

caring

empathetic

courageous courageous courageous !!!! (more than anyone should have to be)

funny (no one can make us laugh like Anna)

delightful

so so smart

determined

she thinks deep and yet is practical 

problem solver

dreamer

and so much more! 

So when she turned twenty I wanted to celebrate in a way that would delight HER heart. The pictures don't look flashy for a big birthday like 20 but what we chose to do would bless her heart and her actual birthday (way back on June 10th) was perfect. 

So here's how we celebrated our Anna:

The evening before was a Friday night (with one week to go for school) and we took her to Chinese restaurant that has special meaning for us. Way back before we traveled to China to bring home Anna we went to this restaurant on her first birthday with our whole family. It was a very special night because our families got to see the picture of Anna for the first time. It was really fun to go back there. 

It has been our tradition to always wake up our girls on their birthday by singing to them. It really makes it feel like their birthday to them (and us!) 

I took Anna to breakfast at a little coffee shop nearby that Anna and I love so much! (Doms) And we got the most delicious breakfasts! 

Love this adorable place so much! 

Next we went into one of my favorite little antique shops. I love shopping with Anna! We had so much fun poking around and came home with some treasures for sure! 

That evening we took Anna out for a very special dinner at an Italian restaurant in our town center called Treva. It was such a special night as a family. 

We all shared why we love Anna so much! 

Back home for a little cake -- her homemade birthday cake that I make each year would come later for the 'grandparents' party. 

Just love her so much! 

Then due to colds, travel, the end of the school year, we just had her grandparents over to celebrate Anna turning 20. 

Happiest birthday sweet daughter. We are so proud of you and love you oh so much!