a birthday post-

Last week was my 47th birthday!

I hate to be all downer about it....

but I am kind of a big fat baby when it comes to my birthday.

I anticipate it for at least a week, usually longer.

 I get all weepy & start feeling sorry for myself. 

Next- I wonder why I am alive in the first place & if anyone loves me or ever has?

I imagine the worst possible thing happening... nobody remembering me.

 I contemplate it for days & wonder if I should go away on a trip so I won't be so disappointed and

 regret all of my life choices thus far.... 

I really do all of this.

every. year.

I feel so bad for my sweet husband.

 He has to live through this year- after year- after year.

It's ridiculous- I'm not proud- It's ugly- I'm starting therapy next month

(just keepin' it real.)

Maybe by now you have guessed that I have had a few rough birthdays?

WELL NOt This YEAR BabY!

Balloons on my mailbox- who did that?

 I want to kiss your face.

 I cried.

My mom called me first thing in the morning & let me pick out two books on Amazon that she sent out that day. I love them- they are here. Thanks mom. I love that you did that.

Karen & I went to lunch- I picked this place & it was wonderful & I love Karen.

 Thank you so much!

I came home to a present in the mail!

 Jill- you amaze me with your thoughtfulness & creativity!

Thank you!

Lisa left this on my doorstep & she didn't even have to do that?!

The "blogger moms" are having a real birthday party for me this week-

 lots of them were out of town last week.

Then- I was so lucky to get to meet up with ALL OF THESE CUTIES for a dinner I didn't even make!

I LOVED MY BIRTHDAY THIS YEAR

Pre-dinner show of cuteness brought to you by:

Joey & Finn above- Charlie & Crew below

Peter was just plain cute. period.

We ate at probably my favorite place to eat downtown.

Did I mention it was such a great day?

 I even had help blowing out the candle on my dessert!

After dinner the kids & Brett were so great to give me all of these thoughtful gifts.

Tears, more tears-- such very thoughtful gifts- really.

The kids made a list of 47 things they love about mom...

 I read it out loud. 

Brett made me a list of the: Top Ten Reasons He is Glad He Married me

The kids read them out loud.

And I needed it.

I really did.

It's been a hard year of doubt, worry, weight gain, wondering if it is all my fault, asking myself over & over & over if I was good enough? If any of my life was good enough? 

I don't write this for you to feel sad for me or even to prove that I'm a brat

 - because really my life is awesome-

 or for people to leave comments.

I just want anyone out there who is reading (especially my future self & children) that

 sometimes life is just hard like that.

 And- sometimes it stays hard for a good long while,

 so you press on, and on, then wonder if it's worth it? 

And the answer is:

YES

It is worth it

I am worth it and so are YOU.

and then they turned one

Can You Believe It?

February 15- the twins turned

ONE

What a huge blessing these little boys are in our lives.

It's absolutely amazing.

I never even thought/considered any of my grandchildren would be twins?

It just never crossed my mind- and

WOW

Twins have been so great & so unusual for our family & so fun.

Can you tell, I am not the one who carried, delivered, or got up all night with them?

Per Brian's request the boys had a 

Cowboy Birthday party

Twins- brought to you by Brian & Laura

I made these Cowboy cupcakes.

There are no cowboy cupcake picks out there- so I just made these up after finding the images on free google images. fewww! Everything for boys these days are super hero.

I even found this little red head cowboy!

Laura's brother & sister made these FANTASTIC DECORATIONS!

It's a little western store front scene.

The cousins, Ruby, Charlie & Joey had so much fun.

\

Trent was thrilled with the IBC Root beer.

A sandwich buffet

 Then they opened presents!

The cousins were so much help getting the presents opened.

We sang a big Happy Birthday to you!

and had cupcakes

Crew

Finn

Stay tuned as these two grow up and this week....

Megan is expecting

GRANDSON #5

we love- love- love these boys!

a couple of birthdays

We celebrated a couple of birthdays in October~

It's so fun to have everyone together for a family celebration!

Someone turned 4 and someone else turned 20.

Yep- 16 years & one day apart.

It was so fun.

Pasta for dinner & two different desserts.

It just doesn't get any better than that.

It will get better when these 2 cuties can eat cake!