Birthday
Another birthday has come and (almost) gone. I usually don’t love my birthday. Who needs a reminder that they are getting older? Who wants to have a vision of a birthday and have it ruined by unhappy kids? Well, last year, I wrote my views on my birthday here and I reread it a few weeks ago. It helped me remember about my new goals when it comes to my birthday. I was going to make my birthday happy and fun, no matter the weather, circumstances, kid’s moods, or messy house. Today was going to be a great day. And you know what, it really was.
Spencer came in bright and early at 6:30. You would think after a full night of trick or treating and Halloween, he would sleep in. But he doesn’t. He has always been our early riser. And that’s ok. The kids had the day off of school, so it was nice to have some relaxing time.Then William woke up with a stinky bum at 6:45. Changed him and tricked him into thinking it was still night time...and it worked! Went back to bed until 8. We made pumpkin pancakes. The kids helped with the dishes. Spencer was mad and Brooke didn’t do much, but Hailey helped willingly and that was great. We read some books, all the kids snuggled around me. I love how they all have to be touching some part of me while we read. That used to make me feel claustrophobic, now it just makes me feel loved. I folded some laundry and they played and read. Then we made kool aid play do. They had fun with that for awhile.
Then it was lunch and naptime. William wouldn’t fall asleep out of sheer exhaustion. So, I held him and he went right to sleep and I sat there and savored him. And I thought, “Could this be any more perfect?” I am so blessed to be surrounded by people who love me and just can’t get enough of me. I know this won’t last forever. This overlooking of all of my faults and issues. And I am grateful that kids are so forgiving and loving. Then Brooke started to have a meltdown. So, I put William to bed and got Brooke ready for a “nap”. Really, I was hoping she would sleep because she is so tired, but she did stay in her room and lay down for awhile. Hailey and Spencer made me a play do birthday cake out of purple cake (my favorite color), and bells (fitting, I know). They were so proud and it was so creative.
They went to do quiet time downstairs and I saw that I had gotten some wonderful messages on facebook from friends I love. I took a nap, only 20 minutes, but that’s all you need for a pick me up! I went downstairs to finish a movie with the kids and we all piled on an old green sofa chair. It was cozy. William woke up and I had to force the kids outside. Do you know how hard it is to get kids to move after a busy Halloween night? Well, it’s hard. But we managed to get dressed (at 4 pm) and go outside. We played superheroes. I was Logy from Thor. We took pictures of the kids in the yellow Fall leaves and I had Hailey take one of me, a rare photo of mom dressed and with make up on, to document my 33rd year of life.
We got ready for the church carnival and went and all had a fun time. The kids went to bed nicely and I just couldn’t quit hugging them. First, because they are really cute! Second, because I was just overflowing with love for them. Nevermind that Brooke had been crying most of the day, that William was clingy, that Hailey had an attitude and that Spencer wouldn’t lay off about playing video games. I was proud of myself for having a good birthday despite what the kids would do and because they are so sweet and loving. Blake worked out a “secret” plan to take the kids out in the morning. Spencer was to excited to keep the secret. I asked what I was supposed to do while they were gone. His response, “That’s not my concern.”
I loved getting the phone call from my parents singing “Happy, happy birthday, Heather dear.” I loved hearing from my sister, Michelle, who I don’t get to talk to as much as I would like! I loved hearing from my friend Sari, the one I play phone tag with for months before getting to talk. I loved hearing from my one of my favorite friends, Laurie, who drank a dr. pepper (or two) in my honor. I loved getting texts from Las Vegas friends, college roommates, my family and people who thought of me. I let go of my “perfect” birthday, ie. bath, food, silence and embraced my “present” birthday, messy, fun, loving and wonderful. I hope I have 50sh more years of birthdays to come. So, I can look back on my life and see the progress and see what I have done with these years that have been given to me. I am happy to say that I haven’t been lazy and that I have accomplished a lot in these years. I am excited to see what will happen in the years to come. So, bring it on wrinkles and gray hairs! I might be 33 in body, but I am much younger in spirit.
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