And This Makes Five

Our little one turns the big "F-I-V-E"

It seems he has been little sooo long, with his still plump starfish hands,

but he says he is a big boy now.

He even got on the scale to see - thinking he would magically grow overnight!

"Still 14!"  He yells out from the bathoom, in amazement. 

(He meant to say "40"!)

I explain that growing bigger is a slow process - not an overnight one (thankfully...).

I for one, am content with holding plump hands, rubbing still babysoft skin, and looking into those baby blues.  I am treasuring these sweet days with a little one in the house. 

Everyday!

Happy Birthday Joshie!!

My Birthday Gift

Okay, so everyone who knows me knows I always have to have a book with me.  You never know when you might be just sitting somewhere...

Like when you are sitting in a McDonalds while your little one wants to play.

While you are just cozy on the couch.

While taking a bubble bath (but I had really better not drop this!)

Before bed reading.

When doing bible study.

When I can't have my everyday bible handy.

Ta-da!!  My hubby got me the perfect gift - 

The Sony Reader - I love it!!

It's even cute! 

The first thing I bought for it was this women's bible.

Now, I have several books on it, and I only bought 3. 

 There are lots of free books available online - yay me!

I absolutely love that I can have several books with me - all in one!  All bookmarked where I last left off. 

Great job honey,  if I would have chosen for myself, this would be it!

A Weekend in Review

My birthday was this weekend : )

It was spent getting a pedicure and relaxing a bit.

Going out to dinner - on the lake : )

Jalyn at sunset

Me and Jalyn

So this is me at 38 (ouch!)

Gotta feed the ducks!

This picture does this sunset no justice - but it was beautiful!

See those pretty feet!

C & K

The next day was spent at my parents - eating good old Louisiana crawfish : )

It was a great birthday/Mother's Day weekend -

lots of relaxing and enjoying simple joys

like the thick green grass at my parents house

(Jacob)

 

Plus, I got the coolest gift from my hubby, that I will post about soon!!!

Happy Birthday Jalyn-bug!

She may be growing up....

but at least she is still young enough to request this adorable puppy theme!

We are all singing "Happy Birthday" to her here.  Well, we called everyone to come sing, and you know how it is when you have a house full of people, there could be one missing  - even one of your own, and you might not notice....

Until he hears the singing from his room, and comes running in, broken hearted, crying, "I missed it, I missed it!"

Well, much to Jalyn's dismay - and Joshie's delight, we just had to sing it again.  That poor little face was too sad!

Finally, she did get to blow out her candles - even though it took her forever, through the giggles!

Then there was a sleepover, with her closest friend from school, and her cousin.  They are playing a Wii Sleepover game.

And of course, "Disney Sing It" - oh, they sang it, and sang it, and we heard it!

And this little one was just happy to be included!

Highlights from Joshua's 4th Birthday Party

I made the cake - and the red icing - which took nearly a bottle of red food coloring to go past pink to red! Clay decorated it. Who needs to pay $25 for a cake? (After decorating it, Clay said, "Next time, just buy a cake." Which I normally do, but thought we could do just as good a job!)



A bag I thought was so cute - though we really don't call him Josh - but are told everyone will when he is older. (Does that really have to happen?) Nevermind, it is too cute.







His first big boy bike - from his Aunt Terri. (He's been riding it all around the house)



That afternoon, after the party, sitting beside my bed watching TV - he crashed! Uncomfortably so, I might add!



It was an exhausting day - for all of us!

What a week!

Life is really NOT all about me - I know that.

But for the past week, it has felt like it!

(In our house at least)

First, the day before my birthday began the pampering.

Then my actual birthday. Both were great days.

All week, cards were flowing in through the mail. (And one sweet package) Presents from friends and hubby.

Then comes Saturday. Just an ordinary day - smooshed in between my birthday and Mother's Day. It felt normal - going outside with Joshua, bathing him after he got filthy in the sandbox. I had to go to the grocery store for Clay - since he decided to cook a big pot of chili. I came back to find him sweeping the floor! He said, "Happy Mother's Day Honey". He told me that he cleaned the kitchen, made our bed, and I noticed that he had even lit a candle in the main bathroom.

Hhhuuummmm.....

I told him that Mother's day wasn't until the next day. He told me to just sit and relax.

I should have been suspicious - but I was too busy just reclining on the couch (reading a new book of course) to think too much about this special treatment (other than being truly grateful!).

He kept saying the chili had a little longer to cook. I was hungry! It was almost 1 o'clock! So, I poured myself a glass of lemonade - and fixed a big bowl of chili, and sat down at the coffee table (to watch TV and relax some more).

I was just about to take a bite, when someone rang the doorbell several times in a row. I thought it was one of Jacob's friends, and so I jump up to tell whoever it was, "What exactly are you doing?"

I throw the door open.

I stand there wide eyed and open mouthed.

My brain not fully comprehending what I am seeing.

Almost my whole family standing there.

WHAT????

I see my sister in law has a cake in her hand. I am like, "What are ya'll doing?"

SURPRISE!!! FOR ME?!! I said, "I'm not 40 yet!"

I have never had a surprise party before. When I was pregnant for Jalyn, a surprise baby shower was planned for me. It was at our neice's house - an hour away. Clay tells me that we have to go there to visit. A day early. No one was there! I had a feeling what had happened. Poor man!

Anyway, I could not have been more surprised. He ordered a delicious cake, and everyone brought food and supplies for him.

I must say, I was in shock at first. For a good long while actually!

I'm not much for attention on me, and I felt bad that everyone drove an hour (some more) for me. It was really nice though. Everyone ate and visited, then ate cake, then went home.

Later in the evening, we all went to the mall - to go spend some birthday money! Yes, I know, money burns a hole in my pocket/purse!

Then today was Mother's Day. We went to church, then to out to eat at a place of my choosing.

It has been a great week - and now I think everyone in this house is "Mommed Out"! Or at least they should be!

Hope everyone had a Happy Mother's Day!

May 7th

I had a wonderful birthday!

First, we had the 3rd session of our Loving Well video series here in my home. It was the smallest group we have had yet - but it was just perfect for my birthday - small and cozy.

I had a surprise present from Rachel. How sweet. I am drinking coffee from it right now.



Another friend brought a cake, and a few presents and had all the ladies sign a card for me - again, so sweet.



While we were having our study, my hubby left the house (of course!) and ran a few errands. He came back with a little something to go along with my Pampered present.



Then, my friend Lorri took Joshua for us - for just a couple of hours while me and Clay went to have lunch at Copelands. We had a very nice time. We even split dessert - a big piece of chocolate cheesecake, drizzled with a dark chocolate sauce, and a milk chocolate sauce, with whipped cream piled on top, and then dusted with cocoa powder! (Hey, I was in the mood for chocolate!)



The day before my birthday, I came home and went to the mailbox.

I was so pleasantly surprised to see a package in the mailbox, and was hoping it was for me!



I smiled so big when I saw who it was from! My dear friend Tara sent me something I had admired on her blog once upon a time. With the sweetest card.






I love it Tara!

I also got lots of sweet cards in the mail from old friends and family.

I am so blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life! They made turning a year older seem not so bad!

Thanks!