What I Got For My Birthday

First I must digress and let all who read my blog know that I have desired to blog more except I feel like I'm just blah blahing about totally random things and that somehow pictures make it more interesting. So as promised today I may post several posts that include Pictures! Yeah!

I remember when I was 8 I got my first 35mm camera. I was so excited that I took pictures of everything including all my new things laid out on my bed. I had those pictures for a long time.

Since I have grown up and asked for many things, few really excite me. Every year for Christmas, My Birthday, Mother's Day and any other gift giving holiday I ask for a clean house. I know for some it might seem silly, but that means more to me than any THING you could give me. See lately I learned that my "Love Language" from the book by Gary Chapman, that I am an "acts of service" love language. That basically means that for me I feel loved when service is done for me and I show love by doing service. Since learning this I can see it manifest time and time again in many parts of my history. So by showing off what I got is a small "service" of sharing in my spoils, although no one really wanted to look at a picture of clothes my mom made, new bed sheets and the like. I realize that now.

But today started off with a wake-up of a gentle "happy birthday sweetheart" in my ear from my husband who then rolled back over to go back to sleep. Then it continued with e-mails from all the regulars, Home Depot, Border's Books, 105.1 the Buzz, 1190KEX, Dr. Laura, a facebook post from an old Jr High buddy and the like. I added these messages of birthday wishes to the cards sent to me by my dentist and the hardware store. However, we my sister-in-law left me with a small message too.

Needless to say I was grumpy... who really remembered my birthday?! I mean after all the saying goes "if you think no one cares don't pay your bills." Then I got to checking in with my regular blog subscriptions and found that two of my absolute favorites had first made me laugh and prompted me to write and the other made me tear with a loving tribute and birthday wish to me. sssnnniiiffffffff.

Finally, I found my camera cord to upload all 229 pictures that have been lurking on my camera to my computer. Only to be prepared to take three more to show you I got a closer to my ultimate wish. Bicycle Man went through his closet and sorted through things that have been piling up in my own bedroom. I have a clean room! - Now I post a picture of proof, but must warn you that when we moved bedrooms with the kids that we didn't repaint. So ignore the paint job and know it is soon to be rectified since its clean enough to paint.

I also thank my dear husband for living in a pink room so we can properly fit our family into our home.

I hope the momentum continues on to the rest of the house!

A day in Paradise

I once thought that a day in paradise would actually come from a distant place where I was self-abosorbed in guiltless indulgences.

Today, I had a glimpse at the wonderful world of paradise in my own home. And whether those indulgences were entirely guiltless or self absorbed are yet to be determined.

You see, today or rather by the clock yesterday, was the holiday that only those who want to celebrate it do so with a groundhog. Its alwas a joke in our home that we celebrate groundhog's day. There is a little fanfare and a little mysticysm in the irony of predicting the next 6 weeks of weather. The irony, its still only 6 weeks, either way.

Okay so I've probably lost you on my mumblings of groundhog's day. It is also the day we celebrate my eternal spouses birth. On this day we also threw our second daughter, Pixie, a 10th birthday party. (excuse me for not having any pictures... I'll explain in a bit.)

Today is one of those high demand days, the kind that everyone else seemed to have something just as important today as you had planned? Well we arose with plans to conquer the world with our overworked thoughts on a few hours of sleep. We got the kids moving at normal school hours... I know on a Saturday. We all got dressed and ate breakfast in near record time so we could do some last minute cleaning for the party I had planned for Pixie. W cleaned and organized and then the guest arrived.
No that wasn't a typo... guest is the right word. That's right for some reason, word has gotten out that parties are not fun or good at my house.
Anyhow, I was feeling a little relieved that some strange parent or kid was going to see the dust on the pictures we forgot to dust or something. On the other hand, I was feeling sad that no one else came to my daughter's party. Luckily, it still feels like a busy kids party because the other three make enough noise to make it seem like 10 kids. LOL

We went right to town doing the party craft, decorating these cute little denim purses for the kids. Roadrunner insisted on having one so I picked him up a tote instead. We played games, opened presents and an hour into the short two hour party, Pixie said: "I don't think anyone else is coming." I said: "yep isn't it great! All this fun to ourselves." We lit the candles on the birthday cake which my husband graciously decided would be fine to double as his. Red and Pink flowers, Tinkerbell decorations and all. We played more games and then the party ended, the house in an uproar but everyone happy. I sent all the remaining party favor bags home with the one guest fire fairy (a picture of her can be found in the halloween pictures). Luckily she has three sisters.

All the while, Bicycle man gave of his time and energy to help where needed, on his own birthday. (remind me I owe him a big kiss for this.)

We did a little pick up around the house and then Bicycle Man went on a bike ride in the pouring down snow. I say pouring down because at the 300 foot level it's rain one minute and snow the next. Its just the way he likes it muddy. He may be 35 according to the calender but I know he's still a boy who like to play in the mud.

I took a nap and the kids played quietly for a short while. When I got up Bicycle man had already showered and taken care of his muddy things. He asked about dinner and we mused over all the usual choices. He then suggested we just prepare the remaining cardboard pizza's.
Then we finally sat down to our exstatically fun family home-evening. I know its Saturday but heck I'm home and I can. We had lots of fun talking about choices and accountabilty and then topped it off with even more choices... most of them sweet. We got to choose what we wanted to dip into our chocolate fondue. mmmmm.

We finished another successful lesson with morals and scriptural content only to proceed to the church building and participate in the ward's " "Nacho" Ordinary Game Night". The kids had a blast and we were still partying.
I am usually one to withdraw early on into my self-absorbed corner with all that activity before the night is over. Instead, I was blessed to be surrounded with those who are closest to me. To enjoy the simple things in life and the pleasure of serving them on their special day.

Now, you may be asking yourself what's to be guilty about in that recap. Well, my husband was supposed to help a family move. President Hinkley's funeral was taking place at the same time and I didn't do a stitch of homework! I even took a week of vacation to catch up!

So there, paradise came to me in a celebration of life while millions mourned. I slacked off and let the day reward me. I stayed actively involved in the love and joy of the blessing of family life. Forgive me for the lack of remorse. I do love our dear prophet, who profoundly touched and served in the lives of many. But today, I felt, was not his day.