35.

today i celebrate my thirty-fifth birthday as a happy woman! really and truly, i feel blessed. as i have anticipated this birthday, i've been thinking about my life. the choices i've made, and the consequences (good or bad) that have followed. overall i feel proud. i still have a to-do list that i will get to one day. but for now, this is why i feel happy and proud of my life:

* i married the right person. how thankful i am at this stage in my life that i got that RIGHT. my Mr. is mine! he is so kind, gentle by nature, and the most incredible father. he is an amazing husband, provider, pianist, student, and teacher. and the list goes on and on... i cannot imagine my life without him. he is my life.

* i am a mother. i love my beautiful children. they have always been my children. they make us complete. they fill me with life and laughter. i have learned more from them than they will ever learn from me.

* my home. nothing is more satisfying than making our home happy. i love the feeling in our home. everyday i look forward to the evening when we are all home together. home is where life's lessons are taught, love is fostered, and where every person is safe.

* i am healthy. after battling itp and infertility, i am so thankful for my healthy body and mind. i am proud of myself for literally wearing out my treadmill. seriously! i don't think my body feels 35. (at least from what i hear other people complain about)

* i have good, loving relationships with my family. too often i take this for granted. i am so thankful for a father i can look up to, a mother i can always talk to, sisters to do the same, and brothers that are always good for a laugh.

*real friends. true friends. that i can completely be myself around. that accept me for who i am. friends that i know are not coincidental. 

*my talents. there, i said it. (why is that difficult to say?) my hobbies, gifts, talents, whatever you want to label them, make me happy! i love to create anything. absolutely anything. sewing, knitting, cooking, decorating, it doesn't matter the avenue, but no day feels complete until i have made something. i love to look back on my day and see something beautiful i created. 

i could keep going, but nap time is ticking away and i need to delete some of the 16,000 photos on this computer. 

making my birthday (carrot) cake! how sweet are they?! blessed.

i am thankful this is what my house looks like everyday. it is better than incredible.
i am blessed. i am happy. it's going to be a great day.

happy birthday little one.

Happy Birthday my sweet little boy! I can't imagine my life without you. It's hard to believe you have been with us (in person) for an entire year. We are all so happy you are ours! You are the sweetest baby when you wake in the morning and from nap time. Daddy and I love to hear your sweet voice first thing in the morning, calling to us like a little bird from sister's room. Oh how I love that wide-open-mouth smile of yours! I can't help but feel happy when I see it.

You are one tough baby boy. You had a rough start to life. (thanks to mommy's antibodies and your dairy allergy) But, as tough as you are, I felt your tender spirit from the first moment I held you in my arms. That tenderness is more and more obvious as your personality emerges. I have loved watching you grow and learn this past year and nine months. In many ways, you have helped me grow and learn too. Every day is a new adventure with you my little one. I look forward to many more. I love you sweet boy!

xoxo,

mommy

it's someone's birthday tomorrow...

oh pray for me that this will actually turn out! i guess there's not as much pressure since it's fam this year. the cousins are coming from orem for a sleep over. somebody's excited...  wonder who?

happy birthday mr. w

Happy Birthday my love! We had a fantastic day driving around with you, playing frisbee and lacrosse at the park, and let's not forget the delicious carrot cake. 

You are everything I wished for, dreamed of, and hope for forever. We love you.

happy birthday max and mom, dad, and david are on their way!

Happy Birthday Maxwell! You have been a welcome and faithful companion for miss L this past year. If I could make just one request, please stop using my bonus room as a bathroom...you naughty little dog.

L and I will be taking off in a few hours to pick up my parents and David at the airport. I love the anticipation of seeing them come down the escalator, and being on the receiving end of their hugs. It is always so comforting to have them close by me. 

happy birthday my little girl!

Last night L kept saying, "it doesn't feel like it's my birthday tomorrow." Maybe that is because your mother planned your birthday party with your friends 6 days before your actual birthday...sorry sweetie.

But with the sunrise and a new day, I think it HAS felt like her birthday! Lots of hugs and kisses as mom and dad reflect on what a sacred day this is, and always will be. I even skipped my morning date with my treadmill and elliptical to celebrate before she was off to school. No cake today, (still recovering from the last one and anticipating another on Saturday) instead by request from the birthday girl crepes, fresh cream, and strawberries. 

My little girl....you are beautiful, wonderful, intelligent, kind, charitable, and virtuous. Don't ever forget it! 

wow...that was a party!

Wow, what a party! 16 little friends, presents, games, and lots of sugar made for one exciting evening! After 6 hours of cleaning today, things are back to normal around here. 

Birthday number 7, I can't believe it. Where does time go...really? 

 Missy got a new pair of jammies, (for her late night party) made out of her favorite cotton/lycra fabric, with a big ruffled 7 in her honor!

 evidence that there were some healthy food choices...

Logan are you feeling a little outnumbered? Sorry buddy.

Who wouldn't feel like the luckiest girl to have your first grade teacher come to your birthday party?

A few games of hullabaloo, (thanks mom, makes for great party entertainment) and on to opening gifts.

The expression says it all! Favorite experiment so far, putting a hex nut inside a balloon and swirl it around...makes a great sound.

Unbelievable Chinese painting book. I have to post a picture of her paintings so far, they are beautiful. I tried it out myself...love it!

Okay Nadine, I couldn't decide which picture to post, Jenna always makes for good entertainment. So here are my two selections. (one just wouldn't do)

 Picture #1..."look at my new trick Lauren's mom." Who wouldn't be impressed by a speared strawberry on a toothpick stuck between your front teeth? (uh oh...did she lose one of her matching earrings? I haven't found it...)

Picture #2..."Lauren let me show you how to do the fan." She stands up, (hand on the hip and fan above the head of course) and I'll tell you, I have never seen a fan fly open so quickly. What a gal!

All said and done, I think we pulled off a successful party. L thinks so anyway and that's all that matters! Now I need more sleep...

24 hours, 40 minutes and counting...

here we go!

I love celebrating L's birthday! I love her excitement (the party never comes soon enough), our planning together, and celebrating a day all about my little girl.

++

Most invitations are out and we're on our way. Now on to the menu, games, and party favors. Here we go....