As the years have gone by, I have really been excited about my birthday. I enjoyed having an excuse to have a party and enjoy fun with my friends. As the year have gone by, the meaning of my birthday and what I desire to "have" has changed so much.
I remember as a child, I was excited for my party and for all the new toys and gifts I would receive. It was like Christmas morning...on my birthday. I remember the fun activities and creativity my mom used to make my parties memorable. Some of the birthdays I specifically remember are when I was in 4th grade and had a put-put golf party. We picked up several kids from my school and we went to mini golf. Afterwards, we went home and had a taco bar and an ice cream bar. Some of the kids camped outside in our backyard and others slept inside in sleeping bags. Another party I vividly remember was my Minnie Mouse party. I think I was 5 or 6 years old. Would you believe it, Minnie Mouse showed up at MY birthday! We had all kinds of activities and all the kids had so much fun.
Growing up this way, is probably why I make such a big deal out of my birthday and my kids. It's just plain "fun" to have a theme, fun activities, food and lots of friends present.
Since I've been an adult, living here in Houston, each year for my birthday, I would gather my closest friends and we would all go out for dinner. It was simple, but again, an excuse to get out and just have some fun. When I turned 30, my daughter Hannah insisted that I have a party. The joy for me that year, was allowing her to throw the party--she invited the people, decorated, coordinated food and even drew me the sweetest card, not to mention that she even dressed me! 31 was a blur. Last year for 32, I did not plan an outing. When I turned 32, my kids made me a special cake that I could eat, and sang Happy Birthday to me! We had a very fun and simple birthday dinner and celebration.
This year is an exception for me. Without even realizing it, we decided to do something we hadn't done before. My birthday is tomorrow as we decided to watch our dear friends 4 children, so that they could get away for a couple days. I did not plan ANYTHING for myself this year. Actually, it did not even occur to me that my birthday was approaching until about 2 weeks ago. I had no desire to plan a ladies night out, or plan anything at my house. For the first time, I was looking forward to being home with my family and just letting my kids enjoy the day, while I enjoyed the blessings that come from being with my children.
Last night, our friends, Anthony and Shea Amaro dropped off their now, 4 children! Thursday, they were blessed to call the younger two their own--following their adoption day court hearing! Friday night, they were able to leave them for the first time in almost a year!
Dan and I have been super excited to watch their 4 blessings. The thought of having our 3 kids (8,4,3) and adding their 4 kids (8,6, 12 months and 23 months) with 2 of them under two was a daunting thought, to say the least. After they were dropped off, I was pretty anxious. It was a little *chaotic*! We got all the kids fed, older ones bathed, and all the kids in bed by 8:30. It was quite the task, but the challenge has been fun. I can't say I didn't have to take some natural medicine for a calming affect :-) I felt better about 15 minutes later. The night was good, and I'm quite exhausted from the early morning. Today I feel great, exhausted--oh-so-exhausted! Having 7 kids in my house is so delightful. I've not been stressed today at all. I'm learning that you do one thing at a time and usually the littlest ones get the attention first. I had the opportunity to take a nap after I put the 12 month old down and then the 23 month old. Would you believe that as soon as I laid down, after putting the 23 month old down, that the 12 month old woke up? All I could do was laugh. She slept for a good 1.5 hours, and was ready for lunch! So, I got up, picked her up, came out and somehow God gave me the energy to conquer the next few hours that consisted of feeding baby lunch and diaper changing and cleaning up dishes and playing with baby, etc.
When I picked up the baby after her nap, and came out chuckling a little at the situation, my mother inlay was here. She had come to bring me a birthday gift. It was very sweet and kind of her to stop over and deliver a gift with a card. I read the card and thought it was so nice. Then, it truly sank in. Here is what it said...
Today really is one of those days when everything that happens {despite the exhaustion that has set in from the early morning and constant "go" mode}, makes you smile a little and feel really good about life. I'm thankful for the blessings that I see in each of these 7 children. I'm thankful for the opportunity to let our friends have some time to relax, rejuvenate and reconnect without having to worry about caring for their children and all their needs.
For today, I may not have a fun night out planned, but just simply being present here with all these kids, is a gift to me. I am thankful for each and every one of them. I am thankful that Dan and I love- together, and that we both share the same mindset when it comes to helping others and loving them well.
So today, it is one of those days when everything that happens makes me smile.
I hope that you can find joy in the little things. It's refreshing to lose those expectations of what we "should" do for our birthday. Several people have apologized to me, that I'll have all these kids here on my birthday. I don't feel it's necessary. I can't say its not challenging, it truly is, but it's full of blessings that I will cherish forever. And to me, that gift of blessing is more important than any tangible gift I could receive--oh, and worth the oh-so-much exhaustion!
It feels good to be 33 today and it feels good to be surrounded by so many children I am blessed with, for today.
