Happy Birthday to . . . ME!

You know, I almost forgot my own birthday this year, all the excitement with sickness and the weather and everything.
35 years today . . . I can't really believe it, to tell you the truth.
I remember as a kid thinking that 35 was SO OLD.
But right now, I am looking forward to new beginnings.
I have made it my mission that in the next five years, I am going to completely reinvent myself
physically
mentally
spiritually
I am going to lose this weight (thanks to weight watchers)
I am going to release my fears and self-doubts
I am going to re-focus on my relationship with Christ.
When I hit 40, I'm going to be the best version of me that I can imagine.
I'm not striving to be perfect
I'm just striving to be what God wants me to be.

Incidentally, my husband got me the silliest, and yet sweetest card (because of the inside joke - we've all been sick around here for ages!)

Birthdays are Like Boogers,

The more you have, the harder it is to breathe.

Have a Happy One!

(Birthday, That Is)

I guess he should feel lucky that I appreciate and adore his humor, huh?

This weekend we're going to go out and celebrate both my birthday and Valentine's (since the weekend falls smack dab in between the two). I've given him a list of three places I'd like to go, and told him to surprise me.

He has a way of making my birthday's amazing.

My birthday when we were dating was spectacular.

He went to this place here in town called "Party in a Box" and did this amazing box with lots of amazing goodies - movies, chocolate, a squishy pillow . . . The works. I loved it. A week later he proposed :-)

Then a couple years later, he took me and my sisters to Medieval times. We had the best time laughing at the pomp and circumstance! Oh, and the serving wench that dropped my chicken.

And of course, he's baked me a cake too. 

My wish this year was for a coconut cake, but since I've started WW, I'm thinking on a smaller scale, so we'll see what happens.

It's going to be a great birthday.

Seven Years of Reflection . . . A Birthday Message to my Daughter

Dear Sweet Sunshine:

Did you know that you came into this world as my angel?

Peek-A-Boo

I remember holding you so tightly that first night -
I didn't ever want to let you go for the nurses to take you.

The first year was such a learning experience.
I laughed and cried a lot.
I loved watching you learn how to roll, sit, crawl.
I loved hearing your first word:
♥Mama♥
And watching you walk for the first time was unbelievable.

The second year was so much fun.
You were still learning about your world and yourself.

Emily in the Paper

You would make funny faces.
You would chase your PePaw around Granny's kitchen for hours.

Emily's First Santa

We laughed so much that year.

The third year was so filled with love.

You threw the flowers down the aisle for Daddy and me.
We found our new home, and made a wonderful family -
Daddy, Big Brother, Big Sister, Sunshine, and Mama.

The fourth year was filled with life.  
You started school.
I cried.
You made friends.
A baby brother entered your world.

Emily Welcomes Baby Jacob

They've been inseparable ever since.

You make such a wonderful big sister.

The fifth year was a time of growth.

Daddy's Girl

You loved your school so much and was busy learning everything.
You got into some trouble, and had some bumps. But always managed to come out on top!

Being Silly with my Baby Girl

The sixth year filled with hope

You graduated from preschool and started Kindergarten.

First Day of School

Mama didn't know what to do with herself and the baby all day long.

You began to learn how to cope with unusual and sometimes rough situations.

And always came out a trooper

This seventh year has been filled with trials, tribulations, and blessings.

We lost a beloved Grandpa

Grandpa with all of his loving Grandchildren

But found a new home with lots of loving possibilities.
We've also foundered new friendships and cemented amazing family relationships.

I have loved watching you grow.
You have gone from sweet, tiny, infant

SooooFuuuuuullll

to
*♥..♥*Diva-Licious T'ween*♥..♥*

Diva-Licious!

Overnight.

I can't promise that I will be able to always let you go.
Sometimes I will just want to hold you in my lap for a while.
I can't promise that I won't make mistakes as your mother.
I'm sure I've already made a few.
And I can't promise that life will always be easy.
But I can promise this, my sweet Sunshine-Girl.
I will love you forever and ever.
I thank God every day for blessing me with you.
Happy Birthday my sweet girl.

Love,
Mama

Mama's Little Princess!!