Tutored

The Far Side by Gary Larson. Classic.

Overheard Surrounding the Recent Event
of Having Our Two Kittens "Tutored" and Declawed

8 yr. old - "...so they rearranged her mommy parts so she won't have babies."

Clinton to Jen - "Should we keep them separated for a few more days? He's acting a little frisky." 10 & 5 year old eavesdroppers replied, "What does frisky mean?"

5 yr. old on the way to pick up the cats from the vet - "I can't wait to see what they look like without their paws."

Happy Day

Ok. I know. Two posts in one day. Can you handle it? I had to show you my cake and share a couple more of my cards. Like this one from Mr. Smartypants Clinton and the girls. "You're in Our Thoughts at This Sad Time. Beyond the darkness, light...Beyond the sorrow, peace. At this time of loss, please know that we're thinking of you and holding you close to our hearts." And then he writes "We mourn the loss of your youth along with you." And has all the girls sign it. Cute.

And Virginia gave me her card. I have to share it just as she wrote it. I love it. "Happy Birthday MOM! You are the best...gratest funest Mom ever in my life (thanks for being so great!) Happy St. Patrics Day 2! love you Virginia."

Back to the cake. We had dinner. The kids had their baths. The girls had decorated the dining room for dinner and we all gathered there again for "no dessert." They had been trying to keep the cake a secret. They stink at keeping secrets. It was especially hard on them because all evening Abigail would wail, "Where's da cake!?" And all three of the girls would feel obligated to shush her and say in their loud whispers "remember we're having the cake later..."

Ok. I'll be done now. But there is more. Maybe on the family blog tomorrow.

happy birthday to me

Happy Birthday To Me

Before my eyes were completely open I had a large construction paper card thrust in my hands. It said, "Happy Birthday Mom! I 'heart' U Mom! Happy Birthday Mom 'Smiley Face' To: Mom Love: Anna" It made my sleepy heart warm.

Lily made me a card too. Well, the oldest helped quite a lot I was informed. Still, Lily is in kindergarten. The effort was lovely and so was seeing her little signature. Just looking at it makes me happy.

My Sweetie made a me a wonderful cup of coffee and was just about to bring it to me but I shuffled into the kitchen before he could.

It seemed I had at least 35 kisses - ahem. thirty-five. - before the 3 older girls twirled out the door to school.

My in-laws called last night with birthday wishes, wanting to be sure not to miss me today.

My grandparents, in their beautifully sweet 83 year old voices just called me and sang Happy Birthday. Tradition.

And my day is still beginning.

I feel old. But I feel very loved.

Talk about irrational love - my girls demonstrate that to me so often. Some days I peck at them fiercely like a mother hen. "Peck-peck-peck-up your clothes. Stop peck-peck-pecking your nose. If I have to peck-peck-peck-up your shoes one more time.... NO! You can't have it, stop peck-peck-pecking at me!" (Use your best shrill, chickeny voice when you read those.)

So, with all that pecking, sometimes it amazes me when they fly freely to wrap their arms tightly around me with an I-love-you and today, Happy-Birthday, Momma.

I guess 35 isn't so bad. It's just a number, right? Although it is a half-way kind of number. Half-way to 40. Truth be told, just saying 40 gives me a cold chill. I don't feel 35. Most days I don't even feel 30. Maybe it's all the little people around me and especially all the love, sometimes irrational, that makes me feel so young. So, Happy Birthday to me. sigh.

**unrelated: For my family blog readers...there are some new posts up. ;-)**

New Blogger & Long-time/Far-away Friend

Technology often amazes me and sometimes it thrills me. Each time I am able to re-connect with and keep in better touch with a friend, new or old, I am thrilled. Recently my friend, Betsy, invited me to her new blog, My Five Men.

There are so many things about Betsy that I admire. She is one of my heroes.

She has a killer decorating style. You can see a bit of it in the many photos that she posts such as here and here.

She can bake like nobody I know. She isn't afraid to play with or display her food. (Tiff, it's Betsy who is responsible for that cookie recipe that Tim loves so much!)

Oh, and she makes and sells these great vintage charm bracelets too!

Here is where she ranks as a hero with me. All her gifts, even her decorating/own personal style, she uses as ways to express her love for God, her husband, her teenage son and her 3 boys who have autism. This is a particularly poignant and wise post.

So, check out My Five Men for inspiration, thoughts to reflect upon and often a good drool.