Joy: Day 20

Today was a great day!  My joys began early this morning, when I couldn't sleep any longer and ended up heading downstairs about 45 minutes earlier than usual.  As I came down, my husband jokingly protested, "You're not supposed to be up yet!" He was doing some stealthy birthday decorating.  But, a pregnant woman's hunger pains don't sit too well first thing in the morning, so I proceeded to the kitchen to make my breakfast.  I promised not to watch, but gave a minor bit of help when he dropped an end of a streamer while up on a step stool.

When the kids got up, they each told me Happy Birthday, but my favorite was Clayton.  I was in the other room when Ryan told Clayton to tell mommy happy birthday.  When I walked back into the kitchen, Clayton ran up to me, hugged my legs, and said, "Birthday, Mom!"  It just warmed my heart.

That morning, one of my friends offered to take me to lunch.  So, the morning was filled with phone calls, baking a cake, (Yes--I made my own!  I love cooking/baking--and my sweet husband, with everything else he's doing for me right now, just didn't have time.  I was SO fine with that!  I actually enjoyed making exactly what I wanted and having it turn out wonderfully.), showering, and getting the kids ready to go.  It was a nice, relaxing morning.  I ended up being (more than) a few minutes late to lunch at Panera.  Several of my friends were there, along with several kids, and it was so fun to enjoy a lunch out with the ladies.  I found joy in my friends and in the moment.

That afternoon, I read a little and napped.  In spite of the fact that I got my kids down for naps at their usual time, they were extremely tired--and I was glad--because they slept for a long time.  Unfortunately, I didn't get to sleep as long as I'd hoped, since I needed to pick Kallie up from the bus stop.  But, the rest of the afternoon, I didn't have anything on my agenda, so I chilled while the kids kept sleeping.  I also made the whipped cream cream cheese frosting for my cake...but I didn't make dinner.

After Ryan came home, mixed and started homemade ice cream freezing, and made/served dinner, we opened gifts.  That morning, as I lay awake in bed, it occurred to me that Ryan might have gotten me a Kindle.  I had three million questions about it, but of course, I couldn't ask...yet.  I had to wait and see!  Sure enough, when I opened my present, it WAS a Kindle!  Sometimes I wonder if my husband and I are so much on the same wave length that we just know what's on the other person's mind.  I was extremely excited to receive a Kindle!  It's one of those things that I wouldn't ever get for myself, but I absolutely love to read, so it's incredibly fun to have.  Plus, after thinking about it all day, I was really hoping I was right! :)

After birthday cake and homemade almond cream ice cream, (topped with pie cherries, YUM!), Ryan put the kids to bed while I played with my new toy.  I ended up downloading 13 books, (all free and mostly classics/fairy tales).  I started reading a little that night, but it was already getting late, (as in past 9 p.m.), so I had to put my fun aside and get to bed. 

My birthday really was a joyful day.  I determined that no matter what happened, I was going to have fun.  So, when Clayton was grumpy all through lunch, and spilled a glass of ice water, it didn't really even phase me.  It made me smile when I handed him a napkin and he helped wipe up his mess.  And, probably the best part was when my kids complained or whined, I reminded them that it was my birthday, and whining or complaining was NOT ALLOWED.  :)  They took that to heart and really tried to be extra nice.  (Although there was a little unraveling in the evening as their excitement started to overcome their capacities.)  In the end, I may not LOVE the number now assigned to my years of experience, but I find joy in celebrating another year of living.  Happy Birthday to me!