4th of July

Here are a few pictures of the week before the 4th when Craig's brother, Crystal and the kids came into town. We decided to be smart and skip the 4th of July fire works and go to Symphony under the stars on July 3rd at the Chesapeake City park instead of fighting the crowds on the 4th. So glad we did. We did this a few years ago and really enjoyed it so much more. They had the music playing in the background and we were able to eat a picnic dinner there. While we were waiting for the fireworks it was fun to see all the kids chasing daddy/uncle Craig all over until he was exhausted. Someone was dressed up as the Pink Panther and Alayna was so obsessed with him, as she is any big fuzzy creature (no fear for her in that area for sure.) I had many mother surges of not knowing where Alayna had taken off to and not realizing someone was always watching where she was going. She would find her way through the crowd right back to the pink panther.

In the back of the van being very silly waiting patiently for the fireworks to begin. They never did start until almost 10pm

Enjoying their picnic dinner
It was great because right before the fireworks began we decided to pack up our gear and do the tailgate thing to watch them so we could quick throw our chairs back in the truck and be one of the first ones out of the parking lot.
Bless her little heart.....the fireworks scared the mess out of her. She took her blankey and put it over her head and kept it there the entire time. She never did cry though.
My little "rock star" Uncle Aaron has the whole rock back game set and here's Alayna learning to play the guitar. It was very cute!

Being buried is so much fun!! You'd think they would panic, but no, it's always a highlight. Alayna just plopped down right in the middle of it all.

Ocean Breeze

The month of June and July has been an extremely busy months of family in town and more activities than I can count or keep track of. I can officially say I am all beached out and all water parked out which I can't imagine me saying, but I just did. We've been to ocean breeze twice and water country twice. I have always loved Water Country, but now that I've been to Ocean Breeze I think that has become Craig and I's favorite little spot. Not because it's huge or grandiose, but because it's simple, very family friendly especially with little kids and very quaint and still very fun. These were taken at the end of June when Craig had a promotion for work so we got a free night at Ocean breeze. We ended up staying until 10pm close and had so much fun with the kids and ended the night floating in the wave pool until we finally had to leave. I find myself more just trying to enjoy the moment rather than trying to get a million pictures of every event.

Happy 5th Birthday my little buddy

Momma and her Birthday boy

Oh my little man has turned 5......Bradley it is such a joy and blessing having you for my son. You mean more to me than you will ever know. Once again I told you that the special medicine was coming out of my hiding place to give you to keep you little forever. You just simply said "you are silly momma" If I could freeze you where you are forever I might...... or I might not. There is that part of me that will treasure each stage you go through and enjoy each one and each time will probably say the same thing. The thing I love most about the core of who you are is your tender heart and always wanting to do the right thing and when you don't you feel bad and want to make it right. I see you having so many of the same qualities that your daddy has the older you get and that will forever make me proud because I know one day you will know how to treat a lady. Lately you have been so eager to learn and I'm loving watching what we do together come alive for you when we read or do math...you just soak it all in. Your favorite things to do lately are school, nonstop I spy fun, building things with tinker toys, magnets, swimming in the pool, being outside, doing melting beads, building things with clay.......You have had the most fun filled week this past week for your birthday and the fun isn't over yet with more cousins and birthday celebrations this week. We've had beach days, water country days, many pool days. You were so understanding about not having a friend party when I told you all the things we would be doing this month. All you really cared about was "momma, do I at least get a cake?" Absolutely I told you...In fact there would be more than just one. You were very excited about that. So this week when Taylee and Aleigha come we will be having more cake, another Water Country day, more beach and pool days and whatever else may come our way because their birthdays are both the same time as yours.

You are the best little brother and as much as you and Alayna love to irritate each other you have just as much love for each other. I loved watching you two this morning hugging and kissing all over each other and to see Alayna's face brighten when you came down this morning and her little shreek..... "BRADDY.....HUG, HUG!!!! She keep wanting to hug you and jump on you and I"ll tell you, you loved every minute of it. Mommy and Daddy are both so proud of you dear son and we were both just saying how fast the time goes and where did the time go from the time we took you home from the hospital 5 years ago where we had the most special 4 days in the hospital back when our firstborn son was born....Bradley Scott Boyer.....a day we will never forget. We love you baby!!

You wanted a Spider Man Power Ranger birthday, so the cake was spiderman and the decorations were Power Ranger.

OOOOHH Presents!!

Brynne, Bradley, Alayna, Ryan

Trying to make friends

This little girl is hysterical when it comes to the our Ashleigh cat. She trys so hard to get the cat to like her. The other day she had the phone and was saying "kitty talk on phone" She herself LOVES to talk on the phone and thought the kitty would too I guess. She tries numerous times to get the kitty to take a drink from her sippy or she'll try to feed her some snacks, and loves to talk to her. Ashleigh is like "whatever" and hangs her head. The cat really doesn't like anyone but Craig and I and really am surprised she tolerates Alayna getting so close although she has swatted her a few times, but that doesn't stop Alayna from trying. The phone thing really took the cake and got a picture just in time. This girl keeps me laughing with what she says and does. Would you believe she calls me Mrs. Heidi because she hears her little friend Sarah call me that all the time. This morning it wasn't "MOMMY, a r you!" like she does most mornings when she wants out of her crib, it was "Mrs. Heidi, want out" Well, we are on day two of feeling happy and good. Bradley has a little trouble still finding things to eat that don't hurt his mouth, but we are making progress and on the upswing. YEAH!!!

Ok mom's on me again for not blogging about her babies and I said "what am I suppose to say I'm depressed, I don't feel good, I'm tired, my kids have been sick and cranky for a week with this absolutely awful virus called hand, foot and mouth disease (sounds deathly doesn't it)which is really gross and discusting. It gives you blisters in your mouth, hands, feet, and butt and they are so painful you can't eat anything solid. Due to the fact that several people I know have now contracted it I'm convinced they got it at the YMCA." She thinks I'm funny and asks "why are you depressed?" I say "no worries it's nothing chronic, it's hormonal and I'll get over it" I'm really thinking "why don't you just quit your job, get on the first plane and come see your favorite daughter in the whole world!!!" HA! Just kidding mom! I think it just all came to a head yesterday being cooped up like a chicken all week and to top it off my dear friend is moving to another country and found out their official leaving day is Friday rather than next week. So that also means Bradley's best little buddy since birth will be leaving too. Right from the get go they used to sit in their carseats side by side staring at each other or put up with Moneiva and I toting them all over the city so we could shop all day. So many memories and being pregnant all three times together. Only this time we won't be finishing up together to see each other's end result. Bummer! Anyway, the reality of that has sunk in and now it's time to be a big girl and realize this is just part of life and being a grown up. So on another note all funniness and seriousness aside.... today has been a great day with my kids, the depression has lifted, my kids are very happy, Alayna hasn't thrown one fit, I feel really good....so good, I woke up this morning and went for my first run in over a month. I sorta feel like me again. Don't get me wrong I've had alot of good days weaved in and it's getting better.....I was just tired of me and the kids not feeling 100%. Still so much to be thankful for and have to keep it in perspective right? I even put a roast in the crock pot to make a healthy meat, potatos and veggie meal for my poor deprived family who has so graciously put up with my lack of cooking and has been living so unhealthily. Mainly on pizza, fastfood, or nothing at all. The swingset has been in commission for awhile now except the tunnel across the top, but the kids and I spent the morning digging out all the grass from the space underneath by the roots to get it ready for the sand. We headed to Walmart and got some sand and now the sandbox is complete. They loved it and thought it was really cool to help with all the hard work. Bradley felt very important helping with such a "big job". "momma, did I get all the roots?" he kept asking. Even Alayna was in there pulling with all her strength. So we just had a backyard laborous fun kind of day today.

Visits from friends and family

I feel like I am doing some major catching up, but there has been some much going on over the past few weeks. A few weeks ago we had some dear friends and their girls in from Pennsylvannia. Missy and I go back a long way.... like 17 years ago and a story inself how we became friends and remained through the years. We had a wonderful time catching up with them. I was able to enjoy a girls night out with her and Michele which is where the two convinced me it was time to get a pregnancy test. Long story short they won the battle and off we went so they and Craig were the first to hear me scream!!!! Too funny! Anyway, we enjoyed a beach day, a park day, cooking out and Jeff was able to help Craig with the swingset a bit which was so nice.

Hannah, Abbey, Bradley, & Alayna

Abbey

Bradley and Hannah

After Jeff and Miss left a few days later Craig's dad, Barb, Lindsay and Destiny came into town for a most a week and they got to hear the news they would be grandparents again. YEAH!!!! Again, we hit the beach, had a great day at Busch Gardens on that Sunday and just enjoyed hanging out with them in the evenings for dinners. Craig's dad gave him a hand to get some more of the swingset done. Yes, it's taking forever due to time, but when it's done and I'm feeling fine we will have a big swingset party to celebrate!!!!

Bradley loved the swings

Father and Son working on the playhouse

Alayna adored her Grandpa Bruce

Destiny & Bradley on the skyway

Gramma with Destiny and Bradley

My little man of the house and his little side kick

Even when there were no plans to have another baby in the near future it's funny because Bradley had been asking me frequently over the past few months out of the blue when I was going to have another baby before we knew we were. So funny because looking back I think it must have been God's way of sort of getting it in my head there would soon be one on the way. Too weird!! Anyway, when ever I would ask him what he would want to have he always would say another girl. Well, when I told him that we were actually going to have one and his wish had come true he is still stuck on having another girl and I said "why do you want a girl instead of a boy?" His answer was "because mommy that's just what I do." and I said "what do you do?" and he said "It's my job to take care of 2 little girls" It sure was priceless to me to hear him say that. Since I haven't been feeling myself he has been so sensitive and such a joy to have around. He knows I don't feel good and why I don't and there are times he'll just curl up on the couch with me and say "how about if I just sit by you and I can play a video game by you?" or he'll say "come on Layna let's go in the other room, momma I'll watch her for you?" Yesterday, he took her in the other room and turned some music on and was dancing with her and was yelling for me to come watch. "momma, come look, Layna is having so much fun, I like watching her have fun" "Is this helping you?" Sometimes he'll take her up to the playroom or color with her. I just don't want to forget these times. The older Bradley gets the more his caring sensitve side emerges and I love seeing that side of him more and more. The other day he kept telling me "momma, you are so pretty, I love your hair" and just kept complimenting me. I said "Bradley you are going to make the best little husband, are you going you tell your wife she's pretty?" and he said "yes, I am and then I'm going to throw a cake in her face!" So he's still really silly too, but I love it. I did tell him he better not do that:).......Even in the midst of feeling so yucky I've had so many precious moments weaved in to brighten those moments and things to be thankful for. I think for Alayna and her little self I could write a novel for. She is blossoming daily into an animated vivacious little girl with a raspy voice that fits her to a tee since she's such a ruff and tuff little thing with a slight bit of girly in her. Her words have become endless and more and more indenitfiable. She will repeat about anything you ask her to even if it's 3-4 words she'll try her darndest and take her time to repeat it all as close as she can. It's so fun to see it all come together for her. The other day we were in the store and I grabbed some milk and she said "oh, da milk" and as we passed the milk section she said "bye bye milk" It was too funny! She likes to say bye bye to everything you pass. Her little face always radiates with such joy. She will still drop to the floor in a skinny instant and throw a fit, but she's much more in control than a month ago and just a joyful little thing. When given the chance she loves to just lay on top of Bradley and most the time it doesn't faze him. She loves to color and color she does....all over the wall, cabinets, herself, me, the table. We really have gotten control of that though, but sometimes she get a marker from out of nowhere and the damage will have already of been done. Alayna hardly walks anywhere, she runs. She's in love with Barney and loves to sing and dance. Bradley at this age was so into Veggie Tales and Blues Clues, but her little love is Barney. I love seeing these two emerge into best little buddies and the gap between them continues to close in and I see it more and more as Alayna grows and changes almost daily. Bradley and Alayna, you couldn't make a momma more proud than I am right now. I love you both dearly!!!!

Bradley has graduated preschool

Oh it sounds so big doesn't it.....last night was Bradley preschool graduation and it was the most precious presentation. I was so thankful that I felt better in the evening than in the morning. I felt like the Lord just knew I needed to enjoy this moment. One of the first songs they sang was Jesus Loves me and when the song started he looked right at me and sang the entire song without taking his eyes off me. It was the most endearing moment to me that I will not forget.

They had some really cute songs centered around "obedient bees" Sort of centered around Max Lucados Buzby Bee. When the songs were jammin he'd wiggle and jam and of course be really silly and then when they were serious he'd be serious. After they sang their teacher called each child up and presented then with a big hug, their diploma and a medal. You could tell they all felt so big. At the end they had a slideshow of the children's preschool year played to a sweet song which of course brought more tears. They then followed up with refreshments in the social hall. Bradley, mommy and daddy couldn't be more proud of you in these past years watching you grow and become the fine young little man that you are. We love you just the way you are!

Bradley singing his heart out

Bradley with Ms. Liz and Ms. Meredith recieving his rewards

Proud new Graduate!

Bradley with his best buddy Diego

On a funny side note....After the singing part was done Bradley was sitting with his class he was sitting next to Audrey (his girlfriend) and he leans over to her and sort of growls and says "I'm gonna kiss you" I was sitting in the pew next to him and thought that's what he said so when I asked him later he said that yes he did say it and that she looked at him like this and he gave me a really funny face. Then later he said "mommy, wouldn't it be funny if you video taped me in my class when I didn't know it and I kissed Audrey" I gotta keep my eye on that little charmer!

Gone Fishing

As I write this my two boys have gone fishing....Daddy and Bradley have been planning a fishing trip for quite sometime. Craig is of course thrilled that his little guy has developed a love for fishing just like him. They got everything ready last night night and finished preparing this morning. Craig woke Bradley up early to go. I heard them rustling around and wanted so much to get up and be a part of the excitement and be a mom/wife and say "don't forget the sunscreen, oh and don't forget snacks, drinks ect"....but I held back and just let them have the moment to themselves. Bradley was bouncing off the walls last night and had been ever since Craig mentioned it so they finally made it a for sure thing that they would go today. They headed off to a lake in Suffolk to rent a boat for their journey.

As I finish this it's now a new day....The boys had a blast on their adventure. Bradley caught 2 fish:)...Craig caught none:( Craig didn't bring the camera, but got a priceless picture of the prize in the little boys hands with a million dollar smile on his face with his cell phone. It did my heart good to see my two boys head off together for some quality time. I know the older Bradley gets he will want to do more of these big boy things with daddy. He told Craig when they were gone "Daddy, isn't it nice that we can do this with just us and not mommy" I took no offense because the way Craig said he was trying to say it he knew exactly what he meant and so did I. Not that he didn't want to be with mommy, but he was enjoying time with just his daddy.

Yes we are suprisingly and happily pregnant

Holy Cow.....a little shocker for the Boyers!! We had one set of plans and for the first time in baby planning, God had other plans for us HEE HEE!! Most of you know by now about the news and some I still haven't gotten a chance to tell in person. We are excited about baby #3 for sure although once this dreaded morning sickness or should I say all day sickness/fatigure fades away I will be even happier. It kicked in a little quicker this time and I was convinced out of stubborness I wouldn't get in, but kicked in faster than I could get the words out. I'm very early and have a ways to go. Most people don't even tell people this early, but I've never been anal about that. So the precious little lima bean is already in full swing making momma sick!! All and any prayers are much appreciated to pull me through. HA!!

I have so many other stories to tell and catching up to do and not sure where to start. I haven't been much up to blogging, but will poke in now and then and try to post more soon.

Strawberry Pickin Time

Last week the kids and I headed out to "the country" Pungo to go strawberry picking. The weather was gorgeous and the ride out there was so peaceful and pretty. Wasn't quite sure how Alayna would do but my little anti stroller girl did awesome and was so good to her mommy. She stayed in the stroller almost the whole time. Of course I had to keep feeding her pesticide infested strawberries. She calls them strawbididdis. It's so cute!! She wanted out towards the end so I let her pick a couple herself and she seeme to think that was pretty cool. Bradley and I were addicted to finding as many big ones as we could and ended up with 25 pounds. I think I've made 4 pies so far all which are gone...some muffins and then froze some for later and ate a whole bunch too. Bradley was so excited and proud of himself...he always was cautious and wanted to make sure he was picking just the right ones without any green on them and when he would accidently pick one with green he would say..."oops momma, is that ok?" I had the best time with my two little strawbididdi picking buddies.

Lindsay's Wedding

Well I'm sort of getting on the ball here with some postings.....I can't tell you how awesome Lindsay's wedding turned out!! She was a beautiful bride!! It couldn't have gone better other than the fact that I wasn't as in tune with my camera as I would have liked to be. I got so caught up in moments I didn't get as many combinations as I'd have liked, but she had an incredible photographer that literally followed you the whole night so I know I can get the ones I missed and then some. Lyn, you truly did look like a fairy tale princess just like the song talks about. I am so proud of you and all that you've become. Here is a little slide show to capture some of the moments. I wish I had gotten more. It surely was a night to remember and I'll never forget how radiant and happy you looked. This song is for you Lyn!!

You can run but you can't hide.......

......from who.....from the swamp gramma or monster, better known in real life as Gramma Cathy. My mom is as weird and silly as they come. We decided to escape and try to run away from Gramma Cathy for a night and get a hotel room, but she found us. We tried to run, but we couldn't hide. HA! only kidding!! We decided to get a hotel room for 1 night so the cousins could have some fun swimming as the weather was not the best. It went from 30's one day to 75 one day and snowing on the wedding day. CRAZY I tell ya!!! I don't know who had more fun...the kids or gramma Cathy. As we were swimming this "thing" kept emerging from the water and couldn't tell if it was a swamp monster or just gramma. We quickly realized it was gramma trying to imitate a swamp monster. HA! It was the joke of the night and laughed so hard it hurt!! She'd go under the water and make sure her hair was over her face and emerge from the water with one eye showing. SCARY she was!!! My only goal right now is to embarass her. She also thought she was a model and was posing for the camera like nobody's business.

The swamp Monster

It's got my baby!

Gramma's definitely a hottie!!!!

We're Back

Most of you know we are back from our incredible trip to Wisconsin where we went to spend time with our family and watch my little sista get married. It all went awesome and couldn't have gone better. I appreciate all the prayers and felt them as all went so well!!! I so can't believe it's already friday. We got back really late on Monday night and the weekend is already here. Don't know what happened. Been so busy getting back into the groove of life. Housework, cooking ect.....Was so nice to have 10 days off off from all that. Bare with me as I don't know when I'll be getting the pictures and stories up. Soon though......I will be catching up with you all as well. We'll be tied up all weekend though....we finally got the kids their swingset that I've been wanting to get the past two years and we finally got it today. YAHOO!! I'm so excited and thanks to our family for helping with this as we've been saving money they've been giving us from birthdays and christmas's for the kids to go towards it. I hear it takes up to 3 days to put together with 2 people so Craig and I are going to bite the bullet and be a toolbelt diva and him well...whatever you call the man worker. HA!!

What's Alayna been up to?

Hmmmm.....I wonder.......Alayna, you are a some kind of crazy little girl!!!!! I was doing something with Bradley yesterday and when I came into the kitchen she was sitting up on the counter because she has now learned to pull the chair exactly where she wants to go to get up where wants to be. She was in none other than the medicine/vitamin cabinet and had already flipped the vitamin c top off and had one in her mouth with two other bottles next to her. I knew there were only a couple left in the jar so I knew she only got 1. Since that time the rest of the day I would catch her dragging the chair across the floor time and time again. Time to move all the meds up to the highest shelf and lock them up. She loves vitamins and I guess she knew exactly where to get her num num. Busy, busy busy.......

1 down 1 to go

Here's a fishy update...I didn't do an original post on Bradley's fish, but him and Alayna each got one at Alexanders Birthday party on Sunday and the ongoing joke was whose would outlast all the rest. Some bit the dust right away and other a few days later and well....one of ours went to fishy heaven today. I hadn't even looked at them this morning and told Bradley to go feed the fishys which he loves to do and he called out "mommy, one of the fish got killed!" Of course I laughed the way he said it and had to quickly recover myself to sympathize. I said "oh no, what do you mean got killed?" and he said "well look, it's sticking to the side" again I'm trying not to laugh. I said "are you ok buddy" he said "yeah, I'm fine, but could you please leave him in there so I can still look at him, I don't want him to go down the toilet." I'm so glad there weren't any tears, but we'll see after I have to dispose of it. Maybe I'll wait until he gets back from school to say goodbye to sunny or shiney....whichever that one was.

When are you going to have another baby momma?

We were sitting at dinner tonight and out of the blue Bradley asks me "momma, when are you going to have another baby?" I immediately said "Honey, did Ms. Sue tell you to ask me?" Since he had spent the afternoon with her I was sure she was pressuring him to ask me. HEE HEE He assured me she didn't. Hmmm....I wonder though......I said "Do you want me to have another baby?" and he told me "Yes, that he wanted me to have 10 babies" I of course gasped and assured him that wasn't going to happen. I said "what would you do with 10 babies?" and he said "well, I'd just lock them in the closet if it got to be too much work." He then told me that all the babies would be in the closet saying "please, please let me out and have pity on me" He is just getting the biggest kick out of saying that and giggles the belly giggle as if it were the first time he came up with it. I think he just knows it triggers my funny bone too!! He then went on to tell me that when they poop all over the closet that he would clean it up for me. Oh, that boy is something else!!!!

Have Pity on me

Bradley, I was laying in bed with you the other night and there are some nights you are so exhausted you fall asleep instantly and there are other nights where you come alive and I swear the silly bug bites you in the butt or something. We were talking and I was trying to get you to be still and then I said "ok, I'm leaving now" and you said "MOMMY, please NO, DON'T go, HAVE pity on me, have pity on me".... This took me by surprise as I've never heard you say that before and the way you said it with the voice flucuations...... it was hysterical!!! You even used the phrase the right way which took me by surprise too. It sent me giggling so hard which made you keep saying it over and over and you were giggling so hard which got me going even more. The harder I laughed the more you'd say it so needless to say we were both too wound up for any kind of sleep. I love your silly side Bradley!

Alayna's adventures and the one thing I wasn't prepared for

My sweet Alayna....you never cease to amaze me with your daily adventures. You are the type of little girl that loves wide open spaces and no boundaries and I try to grant you those wishes whenever possible and with safty limits. I often let you roam the upstairs because while in the house you seem happiest just exploring up there. I find things in the oddest places at times. You love hanging out in Bradley's room and when I was calling for you one time and approaching Bradley's room where I thought you might be you quickly shut the door on me as I arrived. You were pulling out clothes from his drawers having a good old time. The other day is was quiet and I didn't hear your chattering like I normally do....I found you were happily chewing away on daddy's deoderant and I forgot to warn him so next time he went to put it on it had little chew marks in it. He got a chuckle out of it. I shudder to think of all the chemicals that goes into your little body between that and the toothpaste that you so love and the 409 cleaner. Daddy said maybe that's why she's been sleeping so much lately. I think and hope not. You have been taking marathon naps lately and needing to go to bed earlier lately, but I know the real reason......I put on a pair of your pants today and I swear they were 2 inches too short all of a sudden. You are definitely going thru a growth spurt at 19 months old. I'm thankful summer is approaching because I'm not about add to the winter wardrobe. The real reason I starting to write this is because this morning when I was in the playroom watching cartoons with your brother and you were yet again sleeping in I heard a really loud thump that startled me. Daddy was getting ready for work and it was so loud I thought it was him or maybe he had fallen or something weird. Not so....I then heard crying and ran to your room and opened the door and there you were right behind it. You looked a little stunned and you were shaking. I had never prepared myself for this because your brother never did it and was a crib baby until after 2 1/2 and never even attemped to get out. He was always such a good sleeper. You my dear other than this sleeping phase you are going thru is just the opposite. Sometimes at night when I put you down and think you fell asleep I'll hear you talking an hour later. I really pray this is a fluke with you getting yourself out of your safe crib or I'm not sure what naptimes or nighttime will bring dear one. I fear we'll be the next family on Super Nanny. You are the busiest little girl I know and at times I think does your little mind ever stop, but at the same time it's what I love about you because you are so vibrant, funny and full of life and personality. You are daily saying and doing new things that will shock me and then again not surprise me. This phase of your learning and exploring is so fun to watch and I'm so thankful to be there to see it all. Lately you love to look up in the sky and watch the birdies and you've discover airplanes which you call hairpane. When you were watching the birds yesterday I said "Alayna, flap like a birdie" not really knowing if you knew what I meant and there go your little arms 100 miles an hour. I was so tickled by it that all day long I kept telling you to do it and every time you'd amuse me all over again.

A Special Day To Remember

Backtracking a bit......

Dear Diary or shall I say Dear Blog,

I feel like I could write about a million moments a day, but due to time I have to pick and choose and there are those special times that you want to remember. I know we keep special memories and times in our hearts and you may not forget them, but it's funny how time will somehow erase the details of the moments.

I cannot even begin to say what a special birthday that I had....Craig you make everyday of my life special in some way whether it's what you say or what you do or who you are. I wake up first thing in the morning and you had already been to walmart at 6:30 in the morning and when I come downstairs you had the table all set with a tablecloth, roses, a cake and a Happy Birthday Banner and you were already had the pans hot for omlets. You had even stopped to get my favorite coffee and handed it to me when I came down. Somehow the Lord had let me sleep in to not hear a thing and the kids also slept in because normally little bit has me up sometimes before 7am. You then show up unexpected in the afternoon with a surprise gift of a new dress, shoes and earrings and a necklace because you told me you wanted me to feel pretty for our dinner date. Bless your heart, I know you tried so hard and you know how hard I cried because the dress wasn't quite me and I felt so bad and didn't want to hurt your feelings. You didn't seem to mind and you were so eager to take me shopping to pick something else out. You know I love the necklace and earrings and wear them all the time. Thank you for loving me the way that you do with a gentle spirit and so understanding. I love you forever!!

That was all I needed to make my day, but there were more unexpected blessing weaved in...my morning was full of back to back phone calls from my dear family wishing me a happy birthday. Mid morning came more surprises from my dear friends. I hear a knock at the door and there were Jayne and Grayson with more special surprises of my favorite candy and a cute notepad with curious George saying it reminded her of me and my mischievous ways.... Hmmmmm....Literally 1 second later Sue, Alexander and Hamilton pull up unplanned and the two didn't know each other was coming with more surprises of balloons, and my favorite candy. Thank you both for who you are in making me feel special with your surprises. I love that about you both!! Still more......my dear friend Moneiva called me a week before my birthday reminding me that it was my birthday in a week (I hadn't even been thinking of it and here she was all excited to tell me) So she was all crazy giddy about taking me to lunch on my birthday and wanted to get it on the calender. Everyday is a party to her and is always looking to celebrate someone for something. I love that!! And last but not least my Michele surprised me with a gift of a beautiful devotional which I hold dear to my heart. Thank you for who you are and knowing I would love that!!! In the evening I then got a great date night with my incredible hubby to the Founders Inn and he wanted to spoil me a little and took me shopping after. So to all of you once again....whether you just showed up, called, emailedThank you from the bottom of my heart for such an incredible day showing me in your own special way how much you care. I am truly blessed and it is overwhelming to me at times. I could not ask for more!!!!!