5 things that make me cry (in a good way)

• live ballet
• daydreaming about what my kids will be when they grow up
• the Jesus film
• looking at my kids when they're alseep
• Celine Dion's "Miracle" album
  

25 things that brighten my day

1. Kenny's smile
2. a huge mug of coffee, preferably with my mom
   
3. lightening someone's load, especially a young mother
4. watching CSI with Hetee
5. skyping friends in Mexico
6. eating lunch with my kids at their little table
7. having a long nap with no interruptions
8. a hot bubble bath
9. a good book
10. making a new friend on or offline
11. when Nate catches on to a lesson I have been trying to teach him
12. cinnamon toast
13. the way Abi calls me "mama"
14. dinner out with friends
15. finding money, even if it's just a little, from a pocket or an old purse
16. giving something away
17. getting an email from a friend
18. chocolate, of course
19. discovering and passing on a Bible truth
20. looking at my new living room rug
21. window shopping with Hetee
22. smoothies
23. saving a baby's life from abortion
24. trying or inventing a new recipe
25. cooking with Hetee

I love you well, my little brother

And you are fond of me

Let us be kind to one another

As brothers ought to be

You shall learn to play with me

And learn to use my toys

And then I think that we shall be

Two happy little boys

Well, I got my cake! At around 7 pm yesterday, Hetee, the kids and I were lounging around in the living room watching Veggie Tales when a few of my g12 ladies knocked on the door. They came bearing cake and a huge bottle of black raspberry and vanilla bubble bath that I haven't had a chance to try out yet. As always, I forgot to take pictures but here's me after everyone went home =)

Earlier yesterday Hetee took me to eat out at the Texas Pub, the only decent place in town. But halfway through my grape Fanta I realized that I had no urge whatsoever to eat there. So Hetee suggested that we go and buy the ingredients to make a nice supper ourselves at home. We decided on chicken spaghetti and got to work after everyone left and the kids were in bed. It didn't take too long, thanks to my new pressure cooker (a birthday gift along with a rug, and a cool blender-from our pastor friends who were here visiting last week). We ate right at midnight and considering we had to make everything from scratch I'd say we made pretty good time. It was the perfect ending to a great birthday. Hetee washed dishes and cleaned up even though he had to preach 2 times the next morning. That was a gift in itself.

Oh yeah, my hubby gave me chocolates (2 boxes!) and 3 beautiful, red roses to represent Nate, Abi and Kenny.

This birthday finds me very satisfied with my life and at peace with where God has me. My family brings me absolute joy and serving God has been so rewarding, especially in the weeks leading up to my birthday. For some reason, for as long as I can remember I've always wanted to be 25. It's like I was anticipating how good it would be somehow. Now it's here and I've decided to make every day of this year count.

Thank you all for your prayers, birthday wishes and cards. I pray God uses me to bless each of you all throughout this year and in the years to come!

Happy Birthday to me

This morning my kids excitedly rushed into my room and woke me up to tell me "Happy Birthday". When Nate asked me what I wanted I half-jokingly replied, "Kids who stay clean and who are obedient". He gave me a look as if to say that's not even an option then asked me if he could get me antything else.

So, yes, today is my birthday (I am 25) and while I don't like huge celebrations I am secretly hoping that someone will show up with a birthday cake so I don't have to make my own. My kids know that cakes are for birthdays and they're not about to let me get away without having one. I kind of suspect that my husband and my g12 girls are up to something but I'm not getting my hopes up. Let's just say that if everything goes well I should have some b-day pictures to post tomorrow. =)