birthday festivities

I had a really good birthday. There was a few things that it was not but those I was able to get over.

My 8 year old son Cor had discovered yesterday morning that my birthday had arrived and he didn't have a present for me. Actually, all the kids came to this conclusion at once. Em was bothered by it for a while but eventually gave up because being five rendered her powerless to do anything about it. Cor tried to convince me at the grocery store to buy a gift card that he would give to me then he would pay me back when we got home. I told him I wouldn't do that. Later I got in the shower. About the middle of my shower I saw one of the kids run in and out of my bathroom. A few minutes later Cor came running through again. I looked out and Cor had place $1, a note and some rhododendron flowers on the toilet lid for me to find when I got out of the shower. I thought it was so sweet and that he wanted it to be a surprise and that he knew I would like the flowers.

Early in the morning my neighbor brought me a homemade cake with Sprinkles. Her husband has the same birthday as me so I thought that was really sweet.

My Dad called and sent me a text but both times I didn't have time to answer. He said he had arranged for the delivery of a gift from one of my siblings but has yet to appear. So I get to look forward to that on another day???

My SIL Brittany brought me Chicken Pot pie because I told her I wanted it for my birthday. I never make that because no one else in my family would eat it. I had some for lunch and it was fabulous. Oh and she got me a Hoops and Yoyo talking card and it's so CUTE. I heart Hoops and Yoyo.

My friend Becca brought me Pineapple cookies and they were so good. I ate most of them.

My brother Calvin, who works nights in a sleep lab, called me in the morning right when he got off work. He felt bad that I would minus a husband all day so later he brought me a chocolate cake and a talking The Office card and a gift card. And the cake had number candles on it--34!!!! I love number candles.

Oh, on Friday night I got to go out to dinner with some friends and my sister, Jenna. She brought me a gift card for Mary Kay and a talking birthday card. About a week ago I got a card from my oldest sister Staci for Victoria's secret. Yesterday I got a card from Scott's Aunt Jolae, she remembers everyone's birthday and she is my inspiration. I got a card from my in-laws with some cash. I put it in my can where I have been saving my sewing money.

I am very excited about all the money I get to spend on ME! La la la.

Past tense, last Sunday we had dinner with Deena's family and that was really fun and I considered it a pre-birthday dinner. Deena can cook and it was so nice to hang out with her great family and chat.

Saturday night after I got back from a dinner and church meeting with Elder Russell M. Nelson and Elder Michael Ringwood I had another gift from Anth waiting for me. She gave me a knife which I love and have already used it. It makes sense if you know how much we talk about food. A lot.

My niece Madeline babysat for me while I was at the dinner and church meeting and she didn't let me pay her. Super sweet girl and a great babysitter.

I am also excited because one of my favorite cousin's wife had a baby girl this month and they named her with a K and she was born in April so she is awesome. Because you know K names rock!

I've hardly seen Designated Hitter for more than an hour this whole week. That's definitely a thumbs down but it's been that way for months and probably will be for a couple more months so I can't start getting bummed about it now. DH has been feeling super guilty about not being around this weekend but I keep telling him that he has misplaced guilt. We'll see if he ever figures out or is brave enough to ask me what is really bothering me.

Talking birthday cards, lots of dessert and a husband who may have misplaced guilt but he is totally devoted to the Lord, to me and our family. Overall it was a very good birthday.

Here's my cutey kids

Don't they look like they love each other? So sweet.

I took these pictures this morning and almost cried because pictures I took actually turned out alright. That's a miracle.

This will make you cry...

I read this in the Statesman Journal today.

A judge overseeing a civil lawsuit in Nassau County separately froze the assets of Madoff's brother, Peter.

Initially, Peter Madoff's lawyer claimed the freeze was so tight, he didn't have money to buy bread or take the subway. The judge responded by loosening his spending to $10,000 a month.

Madoff's sons also have to return $31 million in loans they took from their parents. So next time your kids ask for a treat that costs less than a dollar you might not feel so bad for spoiling them just a little.

This didn't make me cry but it did make me laugh.

Education

I have been reading the April Ensign the last couple days and I liked a couple quotes that I thought I would share. The first when really summarizes how I feel sometimes. There is so much information out there and sometimes it's hard to determine what is truth. It seems like most everything is someone's opinion and can change at any time.

Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife Kristen M. Oaks

As we seek to receive and apply the guidance of the Spirit in a world driven by trends and issues of the day, we are confronted by an avalanche of often erroneous and trivial information served up by modern technology. We risk becoming what one observer called " 'pancake people'-spread wide and thin as we connect with that vast network of information accessed by a mere touch of a button."

The next quote I liked because I have learned this over and over again in my church callings. Sometimes I get frustrated with my calling because things seem too hard and outside of my abilities and then I am reminded that the Lord will make me who I need to be. And he has so many times. It also reminds me of something my Dad might say and a quote my FIL would love because as he says: "I am a quote guy."

President Thomas S. Monson, as part of his message during the general Relief Society meeting held on September 29, 2007, told women; "Do not pray for tasks equal to your abilities, bvt pray for abilities equal to your task. Then the performance of your tasks will be no miracle, but you will be the miracle."

I consider myself to be a life-long learner even though I am not currently enrolled in school. I love to learn new things. I think I do put things in two categories; one, things I could easily learn and two, things too difficult. I avoid the difficult unless forced on me and I think that is limiting. It's a bad habit and one that will probably take some time to break.

I have been thinking again about my formal education and if there came a time that I would have to provide for my family I really wouldn't know what I would do. The education I have is in clothing and textiles and I right now I am not sure that would get me a job that would provide for my family if I had to. Right now I don't have to worry about it and I am extremely grateful but you never know what the future brings.