Happy Birthday to Me!!!

Today is my 31st birthday!!!

This morning as I was rushing around getting ready for the day, I looked like this:




My mom spent the week with us, and she could not stop laughing at me in my glasses, shower cap and frumpy nightgown (which she bought, btw). She kept saying, "You sure do look 31!"

Some people applaud mothers who "chart their own paths" and abandon their families in pursuit of satisfaction. But I want to show you a picture of a true hero.


31 years ago, she chose life.

My dad promised my mom he would marry her when she got pregnant. He then joined the military, left the state and stopped answering her letters. My mom lost her teaching job (a job she loved) at a Christian school and went home to her parents. When I was 6 weeks old, she packed up and drove to Texas to find means of support (not welfare, btw).

I knew all of the above, but it wasn't until J and I bought our home, that I finally realized what my mother gave up for me. She told me about the wedding she had planned for herself as a girl, right down to the bridesmaids dresses. She gave me notebooks that contained hundereds of handwritten recipes and daily menus for the life she'd planned as a housewife - a far cry from the single, working mother she became.

For 18 years, my mom worked long hours and spent her free time with me. No dates. No hobbies. No "me" time. Yet she looks back on those years and says, "You were a joy to raise". I feel the same way about my kids.

I am honored to be living my mother's dream and I am very proud of the craft business she started this year. She taught me to love and now she's teaching me about life's seasons. Here's a photo from her first show:




A few weeks ago J asked me what I wanted for my birthday. It came as a surprise because (1) I had forgotten my birthday was approaching, and (2) I had trouble thinking of something to ask for. Drew said he wanted to throw me a BIG party. Jazzy wanted to buy me a candy bar!

In the end I decided to treat myself to lunch and a trip to the library by myself. My mom gave me a book and the kids made cards. J is likely out buying my gift at this moment and I could not ask for anything more. Every breath I take is a gift from the Lord. Every moment spent with my husband, kids and family is more than I deserve. I am learning "the secret of being content". (Phillipians 4:12)

This, my friends, is the good life.