Birthday

So, today I turned thirty-five.  I had been dreading today, but not because of my age (I hear thirty-five is the new twenty!).  No, I was dreading today because it was my first birthday without my mom.  I didn't get a phone call to wake me up saying, "Happy Birthday, Em!"  She didn't make me my favorite blueberry-walnut cake with lemon filling.  Without her-- the person who actually brought me into this world-- I just didn't think today could be a good day.

But it was.

It was good because of all the loving friends and family who blessed me with sweet phone calls, emails, Facebook messages, and texts. It was good because Mike served me breakfast in bed, got the kids ready for school, and let me sleep in this morning.  It was good because my kids jumped in my bed saying, "Happy Birthday, Mom!!!"  It was good because I got some wonderful birthday cards in the mail. It was good because my friend made me a blueberry-walnut cake with lemon filling and brought it over last night.  It was good because my cardio & strength training class at the gym sang "Happy Birthday" to me this morning.  It was good because my college roommate was in town from Milwaukee, so she stopped by with her new baby boy and her lovely sister to visit with me for awhile.  It was good because of the thoughtful gifts that several friends have generously given me today.  And it was good because I know many were praying for me today.  I felt those prayers, and my heart was both content and comforted.

It was also a fun day because of all the yummy food I got to eat!  Oh my!

My friend Jacquelyn took Lucas and I out for lunch at Big Truck Tacos.  

Mmmmm....Fried Avocado Tacos.  So, so good.

Then she took us to Cuppies & Joe for some delicious cupcakes.

I had a chocolate/peanut butter combo while Lukey went with a classic-- vanilla with chocolate frosting.

And I have to say, my company today wasn't too bad either!  Jacquelyn is like my sister.  I love that girl. And she is gorgeous too!

 

 Later, my dad took my whole family out to Cattlemen's for a fancy steak dinner.

Here's Hannah trying on a hat at Langston's across the street. We had about an hour wait, so we had time to kill.  Isn't she a sweet cowgirl?

 My precious Leah posing away.

She and Hannah and Lucas are the best birthday gifts I could ever hope for!

After dinner, my dad and his friend surprised me with this enormous (and incredibly delicious) cake from the famous La Baguette bakery.  I am quite certain I gained a few pounds today-- even with my morning workout!

THANKS AGAIN FOR MAKING MY DAY SO SPECIAL!

Happy Seventh Birthday, Girls!

My daughters turned seven years old today!  We have had a lot of fun celebrating with them today--from waking them up by singing, "Happy Birthday", to bringing donuts to school for a birthday snack, to our dinner with PaPa tonight, to opening presents and watching the excited expressions on their faces.  It has been a great day.

It seems like just yesterday that I was in the hospital staring at the two miraculous, perfect, precious little baby girls that I had carried for thirty-seven weeks.

Do you want to see what a belly with two babies in it looks like at thirty-seven weeks?

This was the last photo taken of me before the girls were born.  I cannot believe how big my stomach was.  

But then I look at the wrinkly leftovers that I have now, and I can still find the evidence that my belly did in fact stretch farther than I ever thought it could.

But the "battle scars" of pregnancy are totally worth it.  Because on December 16, 2004, I got these two brown-eyed, black-haired beauties.

Hannah (left) and Leah (right) on their birthday.  

They have never known a day apart.

Here I am holding both of them for the first time.  

Words cannot describe the deep, unconditional love and the inexpressible joy I felt as I looked into their faces.  For years prior to their birth, I had been praying for God to give us a child.

And he gave us two.

I am so very, very thankful.

 My mom holding Hannah (left) and my mother-in-law, Dixie, holding Leah (right)

Hannah and Leah, 

These last seven years with you have brought me more happiness, laughter, and moments of pure awe than I ever thought possible.  Girls, you have challenged me to become a better wife, mother and friend.  You have pushed me closer to God, and have made our lives more colorful and vibrant and wonderful and full.

I love you to the moon and back.

Happy Birthday, Little Ones!

Western Vacation Recap:: Day Three/ Lucas Turns Two!

Day Three started off with a trip to the Benson Sculpture Garden in Loveland, Colorado.  It was nice to be outside in temperatures under 100 degrees (It was 112 here in Oklahoma City today FYI! Blech!).  Loveland is a sculpture town with many beautiful designs gracing street corners, businesses, and parks.  Benson Sculpture Garden was not only beautifully landscaped with brightly colored flowers, ponds and walkways, but with dozens of fun sculptures as well.  We stopped to inspect just about all of them, and our kids really enjoyed checking them out too!

Checking out a very tall giraffe sculpture

Group shot with the bear sculpture

Leah carefully inspecting nature

Hannah and Papa

Inspired by all the sculptures, we started creating human sculptures of our very own.

 I call this one, "Girls Playing With Flowers"

While this has the more dramatic title,"Pensive Gaze While Clinging to Brick Column"

Afterwards, we went to another local park to enjoy a small train ride.  Lucas was thrilled to get on a "choo choo" and we couldn't beat the 50 cent ticket price either!  Then the rest of the day was devoted to this little boy.....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LUCAS!

We celebrated our boy's second birthday with a swimming party, cookout, cake, and presents.  Just the sort party this laid-back sweet boy deserved.  I am so grateful for him-- his smile, his gentle manner, his funny little laugh.  He is growing into an active, yet thoughtful little guy.  I can't imagine our lives without him!

 His Soccer Ball cake.  We couldn't find black icing, so green had to do.  Lucas didn't mind.

 Make a wish!

 The cake was yummy!

We love you Lukey Boy!

Marvin's Birthday

About a month ago, we had the pleasure of meeting a new friend.  His name is Marvin and today he turned 95 years old!  The story goes like this:  Our good friend, Savanah, is a speech pathologist at a nearby retirement community.  She mainly works with patients recovering from a stroke.  This is what happened with Marvin's wife about three years ago.  After suffering a serious stroke, she needed speech therapy and that is where Savanah stepped in.  Sadly, not long after Savanah began working with Marvin's wife, she passed away, leaving Marvin all alone.  Even though Savanah's services were no longer needed, she continued to stop by and visit Marvin, and she soon adopted him as her surrogate great-grandfather.  And for the last three years, she and her mother have been visiting Marvin once a week without fail.  He does not have family nearby, so he so enjoys having company.  Recently, Savanah and her husband David brought Marvin on an outing to our home where we had the pleasure to sit and visit with him.  What incredible wisdom he has!  Although he is very hard of hearing, he always has a smile on his face and something nice to say.  We've been meeting with him once a week ever since, and so it was our great pleasure to take part in his 95th birthday celebration yesterday evening. Savanah arranged for us to surprise Marvin at The Delta Cafe, his favorite restaurant because of their "delicious fried chicken."  He truly was surprised to see us all there to celebrate with him.  He said he felt "overwhelmed" and that "this was the best birthday he's ever had."  I am looking forward to getting to know him even more, and hopefully celebrating his 96th with him next year!

Marvin, the birthday boy, and Savanah

Lucas munching on a roll and looking cute.

Mike and Me

Savanah, her mother, Vickie, Marvin, and David