Hello 31

So Happy Birthday to Me!
I have to say between the messages, posts, phone calls, text messages, cards, and face-to-face birthday wishes today I felt so blessed. Thank you to everyone who remembered. You are such amazing people and having you in my life is reassuring and truly a blessing. I love you all.
Today started with a field trip with the 3rd grade to the National Weather Service in Calera. It was pretty interesting to see how everything is actually forecasted. Especially after being so close to so much devastation, it literally hitting home, it was pretty cool. I was glad that Danny was so excited I was going and that having momma around is still okay. He even told me Happy Birthday several times and gave me a huge hug in front of his class. It was great!
John Michael had a great day at school and even got a green face! Now that my friends is a birthday gift. Hoping that he keeps it up, I am so proud of him.
We came home and tackled homework, which was not an easy task because we were all so tired. A nap would have been much better, but we do what we have to do.
Then we headed to the ballpark. Danny had practice. When we got there I got the best surprise....Brandon was there. I thought he was going to have to work until 7 so him being there was great. I wanted family time for my birthday and I got it. Even a family dinner, sort of it was ballpark food and there is a lot to be desired from Clay's concession stand. It is pretty horrible for ballpark chicken fingers.
Well, many changes coming tomorrow to me personally. I plan to make 31 rock! More details coming soon. It will be awesome I can assure you of that!
For now, good night and again thank you so much for the birthday wishes. Know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Saints Win and a 30th Birthday Surprise

This morning started with our last basketball game of the season. We played Our Lady of the Valley this morning and won. The second graders from St. Francis Xavier are a great group of boys and this has been a fun season. It has been amazing to watch Danny grow in his knowledge and skill in this sport. I am so proud of him and of all the boys. They finished the season undefeated, today's victory was the closest at 15-10.

Then it was home for the fun to begin.

So I made it through today! It was a surprise party for Brandon. We are both going to be thirty him in less than 2 weeks, me in 2 weeks. I knew that I wanted to do something for him and so an 80's themed party seemed perfect. Everyone was asked to dress up, and let me just tell you I loved it when I was little in the 80's and as an adult it was even more fun. There was the issue of how to surprise Brandon, so since John Michael turned 5 on Wednesday I told him and Danny that I was having a surprise party for John Michael. The thing is John Michael's party is tomorrow. Talk about stressful, 2 parties in 2 days. BUSY, but FUN! Brandon took John Michael to the park to get him out of he house so we could get everything ready, when in fact I just needed him out so John Michael helped BIG TIME! Brandon came home expecting a party, but not for him! He was surprised, and seemed to have had a great time. We even danced off to Michael Jackson's Thriller, and everyone should know I won. I also beat our sixteen year old sister, which was great! I was glad that he had a good time, that was my whole point. He has been having a hard time with turning 30 and I wanted him to know that it would be great!

Well, since I am now 2 hours into tomorrow and we have church, the spaghetti dinner for the school and John Michael's Birthday party I am off to bed! Before I go to bed I will remember you all in my thoughts and prayers. It has been an amazing day and dressing up, and just having a good time with family and friends has made today a really special day it has also made me realize just how important it is to get the most out of each day and truly enjoy it. Life should be a party, and should be enjoyed. Brandon and I are hitting milestones this year in the world of birthdays, but more importantly we are doing it together! We are living life, and enjoying it. It is not perfect and definitely not easy, but it is ours! Celebrate something everyday!

Christmas Ends on Sweet 16 Note

January 2, 2011

What a day! Is it possible that Christmas is over. The epiphany was celebrated at Mass, a little earlie than normal, but still a very special day. The 6th is just a few days away and the boys will be back in school by then and Brandon back at work. It is amazing how everything goes from holiday celebrations to the normal hustle and bustle. I plan to keep the treasure in each day! It is the present, and that means it is a gift.

My sweet sister in law is sixteen and we celebrated her Sweet 16 today with family and friends. It was a surprise and I think she was surprised to see everyone. However a few of the cars might have given it away. Oh well, she enjoyed herself and all of her gifts, and most of all I think she was thankful for the people being there who love her. Tomorrow she goes for her license and we will be praying for a pass. So be careful on the roads...just kidding, she is a good driver.

We followed he party with our Christmas party. It was great to see our family. Brandon's brothers live in GA and FL so it takes some skill for everyone to be together, but when we are it is always special. While gifts were exchanged so of course the kids were excited, the greatest gift was all being together to celebrate.

It is amazing how easy it is to take for granted getting together for dinner, or lunch, or any occassion, but so easily it goes from being with people almost daily to catching up only at weddings and funerals. This is something I do not want to see happen with our family, they truly are a blessing.

There is a family picture that captures us all, I have not edited any of these so you will see people looking away from camera, eyes closed, etc. I am sure. The thing is this is family, not determined by DNA, but by love! Love is truly the most amazing gift that God gave to us.

We came home and enjoyed a few minutes of lego fun with the boys for a few minutes before getting ready for bed.

While tonight comes to a close and we get ready to say our prayers, they will continue to be for my friends and my family, and most importantly that everyone remembers family should be treasured!