Happy Birthday, Beautiful

...which is also the title of an Innocence Mission song that we love. Hence:

Happy Birthday

When you wake up sun will shine.
We will not go under any cloud.
Let balloons go up in town,
ring out every bell.
Happy birthday, beautiful,
all the birds of this day
sing a song, sing a song.

Dream of trains carrying you
through the state parks with the cherry flowers.
When you wake up it will be
the beginning of the world.
Happy birthday, beautiful,
in the fields of this day
hear a song, hear a song.

Oh, undeserved sweetness and light,
stay by my side.
We will go out in the morning now,
a crown of maple leaves, a crown of flowers
circling your sweet head.
Happy birthday, beautiful,
in the streets of this day
play a song, play a song.

here's a little sample of the song--I can feel myself floating up off the ground whenever I play this album.
http://www.theinnocencemission.com/walked_lyrics.htm

O turns one today, sweet love. We're so joyful over our little auburn cherub. Yesterday she started to say "ma-meee." I can't get enough of it. She says "da-dee" and for Natalie she says "Na-YEE!" In fact, she calls for Natalie a lot. I love to hear the girls playing together.

"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward." Psalm 127:3