Birthday Week: Amended

Amended:

*****As I was thinking about birthday week, I felt the need to amend this post.  I was talking to Sawyer about the happenings of this week, I got to thinking about my birthdays in years past and I feel the need to give credit where credit is {most certainly} due.  My parents were incredibly good about making us kids feel more than special on our big day.

They gave thoughtful gifts and always had a fun party for us and our friends, even as that morphed and changed over the years.  There was always decor and a fun cake and beautiful cards and fun meals and hugs and kisses and “I’m proud of yous.”

They both worked so hard my entire life to make sure that my brother and I were taken care of.  In fact, I can’t remember too many times in my life that one or both of them didn’t have a part time job besides their primary career; neither of them were too prideful to work.

I remember driving around town with my dad, lawn mower in the back of his truck, mowing yards for extra income.  They’ve cleaned out flower beds, worked at the local landfill, started their own businesses – whatever it took to make sure that we were provided for.

Their work ethic and their love for us kids (especially on our birthdays) is a beautiful legacy in my book of life and one I pray I pass on to my kids.

In case I’ve never said it before, thank you both for all that you’ve done to provide for me. It hasn’t gone unnoticed and is much appreciated.  Love you both.*****

Original post:

I love my kids and I love birthdays!  The days that they were born were definitely days of celebration; the Lord’s handiwork came to full fruition as they made their way out of the womb and that is something to revere.

Celebrating their birthdays, for us, is a way that we make sure our kids know that they are loved, blessed, cherished and honored.  (I don’t want to hear all of the “Valentine’s crap” of – shouldn’t you do that everyday?!  Uh, absolutely…but especially as you celebrate the very day they joined your family outside of the womb.)

It’s not all about the gifts or the cake or even the experiences (though we attempt to make those fun and meaningful as well); we use it as a time to lay our hands on them and bless them and make sure they understand that we are so glad that they were born…and this world is better for it.

I saw this on Instagram last night and I loved it.

I have yet to see a kid made rotten in a day…

This week, we did some things that we know would be special to sweet Sawyer; things that are big in her world right now.

Booey got to spend the night in her room…

She got to get a root beer in town one day…which brother promptly stole the minute she sat it on the table…

We went to the parade in Imperial…

We checked out the fair on Friday night and got to ride a few rides and eat a giant pickle!

She got to watch the Daniel Tiger baby special!  She was soooooo looking forward to this.  She saw the commercial on PBS and we normally don’t watch DT (because he’s a little whiny for our taste) but we made an exception and she was THRILLED!

We surprised her on Sunday after church and went to North Platte for lunch and Cody Park fun.  The biggest surprise was…

They were sooooo excited!

Yesterday we went to work with daddy and checked out the Children’s Museum.  It was WD’s first time and he loved it as much as sister.  Pics to come…

Tonight, the neighbors are coming over for cake and some super Sawyer fun…

We love you, sweet girl, and are sooooo glad you were born!