Happy Birthday to "me"

My birthday was today (24 Jan)! I was a bit unsure if this would be a “happy “birthday with two of the chicks gone from the nest. It turned out to be wonderful. The day began with e-cards from Darshia and from Rev. Al and Star. It’s always nice to hear from friends who are no longer “here” and I was amazed they remembered. Then Melody had heard it was my birthday from her husband John, who works with Mike at the chapel. She sent me a sweet email. Krista called early in the a.m. which was a wonderful treat.

The real festivities began after I returned from Speech therapy. My hutch had arrived in town last week and was delivered today. I came home and it was in place – complete with balloons and our birthday “party animal” hat. The boys had also decorated while I was gone. When Mike came home we ALL went to dinner at Logan’s Roadhouse. This is one of those places where you can throw peanuts on the floor….the main attraction to our little ones…and they brought us basket after basket of fresh yeast rolls and we had never-ending soda. I really try to consciously stop eating when I’m no longer hungry….and so I end up brining most my meal home and filling up on drink, bread and salad. That’s fine – last time my leftovers took care of two meals. {grin} When we got home Mike took me into the room so the boys could get some other surprises ready.

I came out of the room looking for the gift because there must be SOME reason I had to go away…..finally noticed the antique pretty goblets that I’ve had my eye on since July. I had told the lady that FIRST I had to pay off my china…then I had to have a hutch…so it is great that they both arrived at the same time. Mom and Dad had purchased these when they were here in December. Thank you! I’m sorry you couldn’t get through. We hear from quite a few people that when they call they get the “fax machine noise”. I’m betting that is why Bre couldn’t call either.

The guys had bought one of those multi-variety cheesecakes from our new Sam’s Club. They even had a “42” candle. The candles were trick candles. They all sang and I began to laugh thinking how pathetic we sound without Bre here to keep up on tune. I looked at CY and he laughed and I noticed he had a can….WHEN….bammo….spray string confetti all over me….I shrieked as the three of them pelted me and backed up. Zander broke out in terrified and terrifying screams and went racing from the room for his bed…this woke Stacia up who began screaming too. We finally remembered the candles were still burning and got them out. What fun. The boys had even bought a little crown to go on the pig head that I was forced to wear.

Gifts were great! A Casting Crowns CD from Jamin; Nichole Nordeman from Josiah. The little ones went together and got me a bear that is holding a salmon and says “welcome”. Mom and Dad G sent some $ and I THINK I’m going to use it for Mike and I to go out alone and have a French Silk Blizzard…that’s my plan at this point. Thank you! The hutch is my Christmas, Birthday and very likely Anniversary gift . . . maybe for several years. I was thrilled it arrived on my birthday.

Pictures :

My surprise at goblets IN the hutch

Laughing with Cy over the sounds without Bre (I THOUGHT) and THEN...(the pig hat is a family tradition and is worn at EVERY party...the poor Party Animal is showing it's age and we may need to find a substitute tradition.)

Boys pulled out spray cans and got me good

Blowing out those trick candles

Jared, Arielle, Nolan, Zander & Stacia gave me this bear...we discussed if he'd be safer outside with the wind or inside with our mighty bear hunter...for the time being he's inside