Reason # 999,999

Why I love this fellow…

The other day, out of the blue he came and gave me a hug, while this is bliss in itself, he made it much sweeter by saying, "Mommy, you don't look old…You look new!"

Such a sweet talker, who wouldn't gush over him???

Finally! After 75 years, a surprise party

My Mom had her 75th birthday on Oct. 16th. That's 74 previous birthdays and not one of them involving a surprise celebration…until now!

Beth and I put together a little poem to invite friends and family:

My Dad sneakily got addresses, arranged a place and ordered food.

Just so she wouldn't be suspicious, the kids and I went to see her for her birthday.

And surprised, I believe she was!

Several friends and family came to celebrate my Mom's birthday.

Since Beth, Greg and Evie couldn't make the long trip,  Layne held down the great-grandchild fort.

and got lots of love from Mimi and Papa

(this is grainy, but I love her expression)

With all her guests, she still had time for some Nana snuggles with Elijah

All of my big kids wrote about how much their Nana meant to them. Anna read hers,

and I read the others. My mom was touched and got a bit "misty-eyed" when she heard them. They all said very sweet things about their special relationship with their Nana.

Then Mom gave a little speech where she shared that she had told my Dad, after her birthday this year, that next year she really wanted to have a surprise party.

My mom bleeds Carolina Blue, so what kind of cake did I make??

My brother, Dad, Mom and me.

It was a great day and such a privilege to honor my mom. She's always given so much for everyone, it was nice to give back to her for a change. The queen of giving birthday parties finally had one for herself.

She's been a wonderful constant in my kids' lives. They all think the world of their Nana. Even though no one but Anna could be there, they all were there in spirit. They love her dearly! As for me, it was a super pleasure to do something for my mom. She's always been there for me any way she possibly could. Whether it was planning and working a birthday party, babysitting or just listening, my Mom's always putting our family before herself. We are so lucky to have her!

Happy, happy birthday Mom, and all our love always !!!

Backseat wisdom

You can learn a wide variety of things just by listening to the conversations that take place in the backseat of the car, especially when the little people don't realize the big person is listening.

This weekend, as we were returning from swim practice, we rode by a church. Outside in the side yard, the wedding party was taking post ceremony pictures. I pointed out the group to Abbey and Elijah.

Then I heard this conversation…

Abbey~ "I wonder when I can get my first kiss? I can't wait! You can kiss when you are married."

Elijah~ "When I get married, I'm going to ask my wife if we can have babies."

To which Abbey responded, "Why would you ask?"

Elijah then came back with,  "Because it's nice to have lots of love. The more people you love the more happy you get to be."

There's a lot that can be extrapolated from my brief eavesdropping session. I can see bits of  both of their personalities through their comments. I also can see some of myself reflected in their observations. This is sweet, but also could be terrifying. Sweet, in  that some of what I want them to know has been "caught". Scary, because they are also always catching things that I might have inadvertently thrown. Chinks in my armor that I don't want to pass on.  They could emulate my actions in times of stress,  when I react in a less than Godly way.  The good, the bad, and the ugly…all there for the taking, and kids are rapid takers of what they see and hear.

One thing's for sure,  I'll always be listening for more words of wisdom from the backseat, while trying to make sure the front seat comments they hear are wise enough to shape my little charges into the people I hope and pray they become.

Silly gooses…

Pretty Toes for Abbey

Believe it or not, I was 40 years old before I had a pedicure, yeah, a different world for sure. (I had only had a manicure once, and that was the day I got married)

But, Abbey, at the ripe old age of 8 had her first pedicure this past August.

Beth was visiting and she and I wanted to go. We invited Abbey and she was so very excited!

Chillaxin' with a magazine

The final beautified toes…

She took it all in stride, although you could tell she was tickled pink to be one of the "big girls"!