A Birthday For The Ages {11.11.11}

Seven.

Seven years ago you made a scared young girl, a mom. In a single minute you my sweet boy changed my entire world. I never knew I could love another person as much as I loved you. I can remember sitting in the hospital and watching your every move. Scared to tears that I would mess something up I would hold you and then hold you and then hold you some more. I can remember not wanting to sleep in the hospital. I wanted to watch your every move, your every coo, your every wiggle, your every yawn, your every cry. I didn't want to miss a single second.

I am not sure how I simply blinked and went from rocking you and singing to you to sleep- to watching you turn into this amazing boy. Full of life. Full of joy. Full of character. Full of Life. To say that I am blessed to have you as my son is an understatement. You are such an amazing example to your brothers. You have this amazing desire and love for Jesus and to know him more. It humbles me and challenges me everyday.  

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When I asked you what was the one thing you wanted for this special birthday you said a new Bible. One that was just yours. You told me you wanted to be able to read more. I am so proud of you. Your laughter is contagious. You bring so much joy to our family.    

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Your brothers adore you and do everything they can to be/act/talk/jump/run/play just like you. What makes my heart smile is that you are mine. As I watch you grow my sweet boy I am thankful that you still hold my hand, you actually think I am cool, you love me coming to see you at school and you write me the sweetest little notes ever. I know one day that will all stop. One day you will be out of our home and out into this crazy world. So for today at this very moment I will soak up every little second that I have with you. 

 I love you to the moon and back!

Happy Birthday my sweet boy! 

Birthday Planning 101

Strike or Spare, 

We don't Care, 

Just as long as YOU are there!

Yep, it's that time of year here at our castle. As you know, we always make birthdays a big deal. The boys look forward to their birthday parties every year {i kinda do too}. Starting next week we have one birthday a month. Why are all of my kids born around the same time of year? Clearly, there was not a lot of planning going on.

In the past we have always had one huge birthday bash. Last year, we had a candy bar and about 30 kids running a muck. It was chaos but the boys love it. This year I let the boys decide what they wanted to do. My sweet Mason turns FIVE on Wednesday and it hurts my heart that he is growing up so fast. It's not a shocker that he has decided to have 3 parties. One at school were he wants to take his class and Brady's class all goody bags and cookie cake. A bowling party for him and his three best friends and a Chucky Cheese party with my mom and some friends. {Side Note: I get hives at the thought of entering that place}. He knows it's soon and this sweet little love is so ready for his birthday week to start.

I must say this has been the most laid back time with party planning. I love decorating and going overboard for all of their birthday's. This year it is going to be a little more low key until Brady's party {which is in 2 weeks}. My sweet Brady will be SEVEN! Oh. My. Heart. He wants to have one big party with all of his friends. He wants to rent out a football field {no joke} so everyone can play football. He said I can do something fun with the girls just in case they don't want to play. That works for me. With having three little men I would love to spoil some sweet little girls! I am still working on were to have this party. Remind me again why I do these things?

Here is where you all come in... My boys have never been real toy kids. They always are playing sport games, the Wii... Because they like to make me crazy they decided to ask for toys this year. I have three boys so I should be a master at knowing what toys to get a 5 and 7 year old. However, I am not and I need your help. Are there any toys that your boys love and just can't do without? Do share. It's down to the wire and I need you help! 

Happy Birthday....

To the woman who taught me

... how to press on and pursue Christ no matter what circumstances you face

... to NEVER compromise what I believe

... how to be a caring, sacrificing, loving mom

... how to put on false eyelashes

 ... to laugh a lot

... that family is everything

... that mistakes are ok if you learn from them

To the woman...

... who I laugh with 

... who I cry with

... who I talk to 3 times a day {at least}

... who I talk like

... who I look like
... who is my #1 shopping partner
... who my boys adore

... who I laugh like

... who knows me better than anyone else

... who encourages me

... who prays for me and my boys
... who still makes my bed {whenever she is over}

... who loves my boys with every bone in her body
... who is not only beautiful on the outside but radiant on the inside

... who ages with grace and beauty

There are few words that can express how much I love you, need you and treasure the time we spend together and the time you spend with my boys. You are truly a woman of great character and beauty. You inspire me, Mom, to be a better mom. I see all that you do for me and the boys {all that you have done} and I am amazed and forever grateful. My prayer is that I make you proud. That I make your heart happy. I love you and truly believe this will be your best year yet!

 I love you with every ounce of my being!

To the woman I am so grateful to call Mom:
Happy Birthday!!

*A special thank you to Nikki James Photography for taking such beautiful pictures of my mom*

A Day To Celebrate.

To My Little Sister,
Why I am showing this adorable picture of your families feet? One, because I LOVE it and two, because with those I have walked with you my entire life and I have seen those feet travel to many different places. I wanted to write you a Birthday letter because I know that dad would have wanted me to write this to you since he can't. Since birth you were always dad's favorite. I think because you are so much like him. Maybe that's why you were always his favorite. I can remember before dad went to heaven we sat on my couch and talked about how proud we were of you and how much you have grown up. I don't know if because I am your older sister but I see you as 16. I think I will always see you as 16 even when we are both walking around with canes in our hands. I can still remember you crawling on the floor and sneaking in my room. We would laugh for hours. Dad and Mom would ALWAYS say they were going to split us up but they never did. This past year I have seen you grow in leaps and bounds. You are such a great mom to Madi! When I think of you as being a mom it's crazy to me, yet you are fabulous at it. You have matured with grace and beaty and I am so proud of the woman you have become. I know Dad would be so proud of you. On this special day 28 years ago I became an older sister. I am so thankful that the Lord saw fit for me to have someone as special as you to be my sister. I love you and am so thankful for you and the beautiful woman you have become!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

 

Top Ten Tuesday: Gifts for a VERY special someone...

ME! As you know it's *almost* my birthday. Believe it or not I am actually not a huge celebrator of my own birthday. I don't do a week birthday spectacular or anything like that. However, yesterday after a GREAT Zumba workout I did ask Coach W for a massage and I did use the .... my birthday is Friday? {works every time} I mean how can you say no to that. I also added I gave birth to your children and I need a massage {that one works too} for non birthday times.

I thought I would let you in on 10 gifts you can buy.... me. HA! Plus, I think you might just find some fabulous new obsessions of your own.

1. Gussy Sews. This is something new I just found. Why am I just finding her? I have no clue but she is adorable and can sew ruffles like no other. I want pretty much everything she makes but here is one of my favorite by Gussy Sew. You should check out her blog. She is adorable one of those blogs you read and you just know you would be friends {kinda like me... I kid, I kid!}

2.  The Vintage Pearl. I LOVE simple and unique, exspecially when it comes to jewelry. Every piece that she creates is made of sterling silver and because it is handmade and personalized the pieces are so meaningful. You have to go their website. Plus, she has a blog that is fabulous.  If I had to chose one of these fabulous creations it would be this one..... Would I not look great with this on! 

or this one... I can't decide.

Are these not to die for?

3. Anthropologie. Need I say more. I just got this adorable apron from my mom so you can mark it off the list of what to get me. Is this not the cutest thing EVER! I don't even cook but let me just say I will cook more because of how cute I will look while doing it ;)  

4.  Anthropologie. I needed something to hang my adorable apron on. So, I wanted this....

Good news... It's on clearance $7.95! Whoot! Even better news a special someone already got this for me and gave it to me as an early present! 

5. Crazy Love {Overwhelmed By A Relentless God}. I read this little snippit and realized I NEED this. I am not a reader but this looks too good to pass up. Here is a little "snippit" of the book. 

"Have you ever wondered if we're missing it?

It's crazy, if you think about it. The God of the universe—the Creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and E-minor—loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. And what is our typical response? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss.

Whether you've verbalized it yet or not, we all know something's wrong.

Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo? Are you hungry for an authentic faith that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical, solutions? God is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. Because the answer to religious complacency isn't working harder at a list of do's and don'ts-it's falling in love with God. And once you encounter His love, as Francis describes it, you will never be the same.

Because when you're wildly in love with someone, it changes everything."

6. Yoga Pants. I have to wear the Victoria Secret ones. Not because I am a label snob but because I have tried a million different pairs and these are the only ones that don't stretch out after I dance {zumba}. I would like them in Black.  You can get me a small. I will stretch them out! 

7. Shoes. This isn't a want. This is a need. I have had the same pair of gym shoes since college. No lie. Part of it is because they are so comfy. The other reason is I can't find a pair I love. So, until then I wear my ratty 'ole shoes. But if you find some cute one I need them! I kinda like these....

8.  Mascara. I ran out of my FAVORITE. So, see I am not high maintenance. I would LOVE this as a tiny gift. A girl has to have her eyes on, right? Carbon Black {in case you were wondering}.

9. Prayer. I know many of you are praying for my friend E. You can check out her blog here. {she is hilarious} She is starting the process of kicking cancer's butt. She needs your prayers. Lots of them! So, more than anything I would ask for you to go check out her blog and let her know you are praying for her.  It would be a great birthday present to me!   

10.  Truly gifts aside one the best present to me is doing exactly what you are doing right now. Reading. There is just something that I LOVE about blogging and reading what you all have to say. So, please continue to read. Yes, I will be one year older on Friday. Yes, that means I will have a little more gray hair. Yes, that means a little more sagging {sigh}. BUT that means I am also one more year wiser {or so they say}. 


Happy Tuesday Friends! 

This post is linked up to Top Ten Tuesday at Oh Amanda