Golden Birthday

Today, I am 31 years old.  As it is also the 31st day of the month, I am told that this is my "golden birthday."  I can't seem to get a straight answer as to what that means, but if it has something to do with having one of those rare, wonderful days that you never forget even though nothing big really happened, it may be true. 

I started my day with an outside run with Kayla, one of my dear gym comrades.  It was glorious, because all around us we could see this:

Then I was invited for a spontaneous birthday lunch with two of my friends, which is a miracle since:  1. It is a weekday, and 2. Between us we have nine children. 

The Photographer (who will laugh when she sees this blurry pic I took.)

The Professor's Wife (who just always laughs :)

'Twas lovely.

Later, my parents, Curlyjo, Tiny Love and I all piled into my Dad's third great love (behind only my mother and his 1969 Chevy Camaro), the Rhino.  We went out into the woods to the creek to bask in the lovely weather.

Naturally Tiny needed a snack for the road.

And Daisy Dog needed to join us. 

We spent an hour just wading around, looking for interesting rocks, shells, and animal prints.  There is nothing more calming to the soul than the sound of water running over the rocks, the wind and sun on your skin, and the smell of newborn grass all around you.  Bliss.

We did some wading and chatting, then headed over to the Compound, the farm where I grew up that is now home to both of my sisters and their families. 

It was a day spent enjoying health, friends, family, and God's beautiful world.  Golden.

Some of the Questions Have Answers.

Before the birth of Curlyjo, I had many questions, mostly about me, because I really only knew about myself.  She hadn't come yet to teach me how to forget myself.  I think I know some of the answers now.

Q:  Will my husband see me only as "Curlyjo's mother?"
A:  No, but you will understand the security of having him acknowledge the importance of that role.

Q:  Will I know how to be a parent?
A:  No, but God will, and you are never far from His grace.

Q:  Will I mess her up?
A:  No, because she isn't far from God's grace either.

Q:  Will she love me?
A:  Oh, will she.

Q:  Will I love her?
A:  More than you can imagine, but only if you stop loving yourself so much.

Q:  How will I know what to do when it is time to wean/potty train/go to school/drive/date/etc.?
A:  You won't always know.  You will pray, sometimes you will guess.  The only guarantee is that you certainly won't know in advance.

Q:  Who will she become?
A:  God only knows.

Q:  Will she have good character, even when I am not there to watch?
A:  God only knows.

Q:  Will she choose wisely in love, and not be too quick to give her heart away? 
A:  God only knows.

I know that Curly is a beautiful, kind, compassionate, forgiving, talented, saved-by-grace child of God given to the Husband and I to enjoy, teach, and then release.  Maybe the rest I will only know at the "release."

Happy Birthday, Curlyjo.  Thanks for making me a mommy and daily blessing my life.

It's Party Time!

Curlyjo, who will be turning nine next week, had a birthday slumber party last night.  A good time was had by all, including Mom!  There was some of this:

Strawberry Short(cup)cakes

Some thoughtful gifts:

Lots of shenanigans:

Some crafting, followed by primping:

Lots of snacking:

And some Webkins action:

All the guests have gone home, the night's fun relived and shared, and now there will be lots of this:

ZzzzzzZzzzzz...

Slumber Party Favors

Curlyjo is having a slumber party for her ninth birthday this Friday. She is very excited; I am very afraid. Nevertheless, I want her to have a memorable and enjoyable party, so when I came across this little craft in Family Fun magazine, I thought it would be perfect. She and I could spend some time together before the party talking and preparing for it, and her friends could have a nice little party favor to take home. As they say in Canada, "Perfect!"

The craft is adorable! I am not crafty at all, I like to leave that to my friends Haley and Lynn, but these were super easy and craftiness is not a prerequisite. And if they turn out ugly, at least there is candy in the middle!