F.O.R.T.Y.-S.I.X

How did that happen? Wasn't I 28 or maybe 32 yesterday?

Don't get me wrong, I have no hang up on my age. It's just a number representing the years I have lived on this earth. It has nothing to do with my worth, beauty or intelligence. It can't be anything more or less than what it is. In fact, I love my birthday. I love celebrating and remembering God's goodness. Some of the stuff I did in my youth could have prevented me from making it this far so a celebration of life is in order. It's just that I can't believe so much time has gone by, to be exact, sixteen thousand eight hundred and one days. I don't remember them all. (Sometimes I don't even remember two days ago.) Those are just my days breathing air, somewhere around 268 days before that my life actually started. I don't remember those days either.

October 1st Emma called me from college and this is how I answered the phone, "hello, it's my birthday month how are you?" It got a laugh. A few days later I started reminding each of my girls and eventually Chris that my favorite cake is Carrot Cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes or Strawberry Wedding Cake from Wheatfields. Specific...yes. But I have learned if I don't say exactly what I want, I get a box cake from the grocery store that I may or may not have to make myself. My sweet husband got the cake from Wheatfields and my mom got me a piece of carrot cake from The Cheesecake Factory which is also AMAZING! Wow! It's not about eating all that sugar, it's about people knowing me. I feel loved and cherished when someone goes out of their way to get the one thing I really like. Iced tea from McAllister's is another one of those things I LOVE but the candle just doesn't stay lit.

This morning I woke to a balloon in my sink and a sweet HBD handwritten message from my hubby. All day I have been getting SnapChat, Facebook and text messages of happy birthday wishes. 

I love it! 

Yesterday I celebrated by having lunch with mom, dinner with Chris' parents and our family. Tonight while the girls are busy with activities Chris and I will go out for dinner. With all that edible celebrating I've gotta take small bites and get a workout in.

Today's YouVersion Verse of the Day is perfect for a birthday!

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, 

before you were born I set you apart. 

Jeremiah 1:5

It doesn't have to be your birthday, go ahead Celebrate today! It is another day that God gave you to love His creation. He created you to be His messenger to a hurting world. You are pretty awesome...make today great!

HOCO 2018

She cleans up well! 

Dress from Lulus.com...$45

Make-up & Hair done by mom...$0

Borrowed shoes...$0

Dinner at a Friend's house...$0

Event Ticket...$10

A great night with the girls...PRICELESS

Friends since 1st grade

The Big Group

Friends . Teammates
Future College Roomies

Gotta get these heals off!!

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

Proverbs 31:25

Celebrating the Last 17 Years

~~Happy Birthday to you . Happy Birthday to you . Happy Birthday Dear Reagan . Happy Birthday to you~~

I love birthdays, yes I do. It's such a cool day. 

When I give the HBD shout out, what I am really telling that person is something like this...

"I am so glad you were born, your life is special!"

When it comes to my children, the celebration of their birthday is just that...I am remembering the pregnancy, the day before, THE BIRTH, being in the hospital, coming home and the early days afterwards. Obviously, some of those memories are a little brighter than others. Take Reagan for example, the early days weren't the good ones. However, we have made it 17 years and she is a keeper! Her smile, her zany behavior, her humor, her passion, her thought processes, her heart, they all make me fall in love with her everyday. God's creativity is beautiful!

Fall is by far the best time of the year but it's a hard time to get us all together for a birthday celebration. First, Reagan got sick the week of her birthday which put a kink in our plans. We still made some good memories...

Dinner at Olive Garden

Emma came home

Dinner and cake with family plus Oma and Larry

(hmm, years later will I wonder who that is???) 

Starbucks and Pepperjax at school

Big Sis Came Home 

I love Birthday decorations

 I'm still putting balloons in their room, streamers on the door frame, messages on their mirror, a special breakfast and living room decorations. I just can't help myself. This banner was made at Walgreens.com with a 50% off coupon and it was even ready in an hour. Love it! Believe me, I will be using it again next year! 

Husker Shirts

Kendra Scott Necklace
50% off your bday month

"New cleats smell good"

 We love impromptu drop-ins by friends

They must have known there was homemade chocolate bundt cake

Oma and the Birthday Girl

She doesn't look sick but she is. Mono or a mono like illness is better than shingles (last year's bday). I'm so proud of her for resting and taking all the suggestions I had to help boost her immune system. God created our body with an innate ability to heal. He's a pretty smart guy if I do say so myself.

No friend party but she topped off her birthday weekend scoring the first goal in her team's 3-0 ECNL win over the Chicago Eclipse U19 team. This girl is on fire! Happy 17th birthday Reagan. 

We love you forever~