{"id":15167,"date":"2026-09-14T18:25:50","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T01:25:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adoptedjoy.com\/?p=15167"},"modified":"2026-09-14T18:25:51","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T01:25:51","slug":"nearly-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adoptedjoy.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/14\/nearly-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Nearly 19"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

And I say “nearly” because we celebrated Xavier early so as to have the party at Grandma’s on Sunday. It’s so hard to fathom the passing of time. Xavier, ten years ago vs now – I can’t even call it a “glow up” because he was absolutely adorable then, and has grown into a handsome young man today:<\/p>\n\n\n\nngg_shortcode_0_placeholder\n\n\n\nngg_shortcode_1_placeholder\n\n\n\n

The past week has been quieter than usual on our end of the valley since Natalie has been away. Grandma had a little spell in the hospital the weekend before so she needed someone to keep her company until she could manage on her own. Enter Natalie – who spent the whole week with her, and apparently cooked quite a lot of delicious food – some yummy soup, a peach cobbler from fresh Florida peaches gifted by one of Paul’s cousins, and I don’t know what all else. It was wonderful for Grandma to have her company, and it was wonderful to see her again. I got a taste of the cobbler… two thumbs up!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyway we had a quiet time together, including Ana, and Laurent after her 11am mass at the Basilica. Shrimp cocktail for hors d’oeuvres, then pizza and cake. <\/p>\n\n\n\nngg_shortcode_2_placeholder\n\n\n\n

It’s been a tumultuous ten years, for sure, but I’m filled with gratitude for God’s grace through all the ups and downs. We’ve come a long way, and I have the utmost faith that the best is yet to come. Happy Birthday to Xavier!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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And I say “nearly” because we celebrated Xavier early so as to have the party at Grandma’s on Sunday. It’s so hard to fathom the passing of time. Xavier, ten years ago vs now – I can’t even call it a “glow up” because he was absolutely adorable then, and has grown into a handsome […]<\/p>\n

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