Birthday gifts

I had a great birthday.  The boys and Dennis gave me money to get a pedicure.  

Who doesn't love a pedicure for the spring?

 I had a wonderful birthday from my friends.  One of my friends, Tara, surprised me with a surprise birthday party at a meeting that I was attending.  She bought me this beautiful flower and angel, along with a Pig Popper!  I think that is such a funny toy!

My friend, Gail, brought me a birthday cake.  It was gone before I could even take a picture of it!  I think I got 2 pieces!  The boys really enjoyed it while I was at work!!!

Source

The only blimp on the day was when my tooth broke off while I was eating dinner.  So, that is a trip to the dentist with $$$ in the forecast!  I am not so happy about that!

My Mother's Birthday

 If my mother was still alive, she would have turned 92 today.  

She was born in 1920.

This picture was made in 2007 shortly before my brother unexpectedly died.

She never recovered from that shock and the Alzheimer's became relentless.

Tit 2:3-5 The aged women likewise, that [they be] in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, [To be] discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Mama did all of this and more.

 Mama was very proud of this picture.  

The youngest child in this picture was her mother.  

(Don't ask me who the others are....)

 Mama's brothers (and families) and sister (and family)

Mama is the one on the farthest right holding my oldest brother's hand.  Daddy is behind her.

Picture of Mama and Daddy with my brother, Larry.

 Another picture of Mama and Daddy with both boys (way before I ever came along!)

She adored my father as he did her.  

They were married for 53 years.

I thought my daddy was perfect because my mother thought he was!

Mama went to Heaven on December 27, 1997 with me holding her hand.

It was a long battle and one that she was ready to let go.

 

This was the scripture that my husband read at her funeral.  

It summed her up completely.  

Proverbs 31: 10-31

¹⁰ Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

¹¹ The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

¹² She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

¹³ She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

¹⁴ She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

¹⁵ She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

¹⁶ She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

¹⁷ She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

¹⁸ She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

¹⁹ She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

²⁰ She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

²¹ She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

²² She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

²³ Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

²⁴ She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

²⁵ Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

²⁶ She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

²⁷ She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

²⁸ Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

²⁹ Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

³⁰ Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Happy Birthday Mama!  I love you.

I know she and Daddy are very happy now!

Happy Birthday

Yesterday was Dennis' birthday!  We spent the whole day celebrating.

He was showered with gifts all day.

No birthday is complete without a cake!

(Notice we go for quick decorations around here!)

 

The boys didn't want to burn the house down so they only used 3 candles.  

(Plus we didn't have enough candles for as many years it would take!)

 Smile for the camera!   See that smile - it's the same one the boys use.

Hmm, not sure what type of face Deniska is doing there....

 

Ah, that's a nice smile!

(Looks like I could have cleaned off the table a little better.  Why is it that you never noticed those things until you get ready to post a picture?!)

Happy Birthday Dennis! 

We all hope you have many more because we love you and want you around a long, long time!!

Happy Birthday to My Sweet Boy!

 December 13th was my sweet boy's 11th birthday!!  He requested a cookie cake for his birthday.  I was fine with this since it meant that I did not have to bake a cake myself! 

 Isn't he sweet blowing out the candles?  (Hmm, I think he needs a haircut!  )

 And, this is what I get when I try to take a birthday picture of him!  Silly boy!!

My Birthday

 

My birthday was last Monday on the 29th.  My sweet husband sent me flowers to work.  I love the little ladybug that they put in my flowers.  This is a particular trademark for this florist.  The flowers were beautiful and I should have taken a picture of them on the first day.  This was taken several days later when I brought them home from work.  They are still beautiful.  

 My sweet boys gave me money for a pedicure.  I went yesterday and picked out a bright shade of pink.  I wanted to make sure that one would notice my pedicure!  The young girl who worked on me (and she really worked hard after a winter of neglected feet) shared with me some things about her life. I received many birthday cards and phone calls.  My friend, Gail, gave me a whole tin of sausage balls (which Deniska loved!) 

Dennis had my car washed, waxed, and cleaned yesterday as part of my birthday present.   All in all, a wonderful week of celebrating.  I hope this year brings lots of joy and blessings to our home.

On a happier note, my SAD seems to be disappearing with the longer days and bright sunshine.  I am glad to be coming out of the dreariness of this state. 

Happy Birthday to my Baby Boy!

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday Dear Nikolai,

Happy Birthday to you!!  I love you so!!!!

 

Nikolai turned 10 today.  Now he is in the double digits.  I can't believe he is growing up so fast.  I wish I could freeze this time with him.  He wanted a Pepperidge Farm Coconut cake for his birthday.  I was more than happy to oblige him.   I made cupcakes for him to take to school today.  He announce to me after school that "everyone liked them!"  (I wonder if he thought they might not like them!)  He went on to say that he told everyone that his mom made them just for him.  I had wondered why he wanted me to make cupcakes since he is not a cupcake sort of boy.  He really doesn't like them very much.  I realized this afternoon it was so he could tell everyone that his mom made them.  He comes across as a hard shell sort of fella, but inside he is just a big marshmallow.  I love him so much!!  He is just like his daddy!!

Happy Birthday Deniska!

This weekend has been one long birthday party for Deniska. We ate out on Saturday night at Copper River where not only was the food good, but the service was excellent! Deniska ordered a club sandwich. It was a HUGE sandwich in which Deniska almost ate the whole thing!! It was so big, he had trouble getting it all in his mouth.

At the end of the meal, our waiter brought him a special dessert just for him. Of course, he also brought four spoons for us all to share.

Then, tonight I made his favorite meal - spaghetti with elbow macaroni and garlic bread. This year he opted for a Edward's Cookies and Cream pie instead of a cake. It was DELICIOUS!!

And, since I did not put candles on his pie, he blew out the Advent candles for his birthday wish. I hope he had a good birthday. He is a sweet boy and deserves all the wishes in the world.

Happy Birthday to me!

Today is my birthday and it's been a great day. The boys both gave me an electric toothbrush. Now I have an orange one and a blue one. Dennis gave me an i-pod touch. It's very nice! My friend, Gail, gave me an Easter lily. I had students sing to me all day with many well wishes and birthday cards.

Tonight we went to Ruby Tuesday for my birthday meal because I had a coupon for a free hamburger. You get that when you join their birthday club! Then, we went to McDonald's for an ice cream sundae. I am stuffed! I really blew my low-carb diet with all the birthday food today. That's OK for birthdays come just once a year. I am glad to see another one come!

I'm already looking forward to next year's celebration!!

Nikolai's Birthday

Nikolai's birthday pictures. He spent the whole day in his pajamas since we attended church the evening before. I love having the option of Saturday services. It's hard to believe that he is nine. Sometimes he acts like he is three, and sometimes like he is forty! He opted for a chocolate cake with chocolate icing. Just last year, he wouldn't TOUCH anything chocolate. How quickly they fall for chocolate. He took a giant chocolate chip cookie to school to celebrate on Friday, along with yellow cake and chocolate icing.

Look at that smile. You wouldn't believe that just moments before I had to threaten him with mortal pain to get that smile for his Grandma Joyce. He is so stubborn (where does he get that from - Dennis?!!)

And, of course, Deniska had to get in on the action too! He also wore his pajamas all day. Hmm, doesn't look like either combed their hair... probably didn't brush their teeth either!

They are both such sweet boys!

Happy Birthday Grandma Joyce

A very Happy Birthday to my husband's mother, Joyce! We hope you have a wonderful day!