That's what I got July 29 at about 4:00 p.m. after being with my mom and sisters for a lovely birthday lunch in Novi.
My sister drove me home and when she pulled into the drive way I was greeted by A LOT of guests waiting to wish me happy birthday. I was so shocked I sat in the van with tears running down my cheeks. My sister said, "I think they're waiting for you to get out!"
As I focused farther and farther into the crowd and I started realizing just who came to help me celebrate turning 50, I became even more overwhelmed.
It was awesome to see siblings, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins, friends from church, other friends and neighbors all gathered in my back yard.
Apparently it was a month long effort by my dear one and the older kids. Wayne made a list and told the girls to make it happen and let him know how much it was going to cost.
I found out one of my daughter's friends stored quite a bit of the food at his house even though it was Ramadan and he was fasting! What a guy.
Other neighbors pitched in by hiding the necessary tables and chairs, grill etc in their back yard. Some friends loaned Wayne a canopy to keep the sun off everyone.
The kids and their significant others pulled it all together including grilling hamburgers and hot dogs and when it was over, I did not have to lift a figure in the cleanup! Another gift.
It was an amazing party and I'm grateful to be so loved. Thanks everyone!
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Alone time? What's that?
I still need to change my profile but we had a big change happen August 21. All of the younger children went to school outside of the home.
Our oldest child was born a little more than 28 years ago. In the years following her birth, I can count the number of days I have been alone in the house. And, in the house we currently live in, I can count it in minutes!
That's a lot of years of not being alone!!
And, even though the four of them are in school, the older ones have not yet returned to the college campuses, and so I have still not experienced 'alone' time. However, I have had some time to myself. What have I done? Cleaned.
I have a week and half left before every is gone for at least a little while every day. I want the house to look great (and a little less lived in) when I decide to put my feet up and read a good book, or watch a video. (That's another thing I can probably count fairly easily- the number of videos I have seen all the way through.)
I am looking forward to having company over for hot chocolate or tea and being able to have a conversation with a friend. I hope I still speak adult.
I am looking forward to going to the library and bringing home some books that don't come from the middle school shelves.
I am looking forward to napping, baking, writing, shopping and rediscovering me.
I wonder how long it will take me to adjust to alone time. We shall see.
Our oldest child was born a little more than 28 years ago. In the years following her birth, I can count the number of days I have been alone in the house. And, in the house we currently live in, I can count it in minutes!
That's a lot of years of not being alone!!
And, even though the four of them are in school, the older ones have not yet returned to the college campuses, and so I have still not experienced 'alone' time. However, I have had some time to myself. What have I done? Cleaned.
I have a week and half left before every is gone for at least a little while every day. I want the house to look great (and a little less lived in) when I decide to put my feet up and read a good book, or watch a video. (That's another thing I can probably count fairly easily- the number of videos I have seen all the way through.)
I am looking forward to having company over for hot chocolate or tea and being able to have a conversation with a friend. I hope I still speak adult.
I am looking forward to going to the library and bringing home some books that don't come from the middle school shelves.
I am looking forward to napping, baking, writing, shopping and rediscovering me.
I wonder how long it will take me to adjust to alone time. We shall see.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Proud Mom and Dad
Son, Josh, graduated from Air Force ROTC Field Training on Sunday.
He was in Alabama and Mississippi for one month with very little contact with the outside world. The contact he had was in the form of mail and the bus trip from Alabama to Mississippi and back. Other than that it was 33 days of entrenchment.
My dear one and I were able to fly down to be with him on graduation day. It was an impressive ceremony and you could certainly see how well trained these cadets are.
It was a little intimidating being there because I witnessed all the saluting and stiff walking that was going on. At one point the color guard got yelled at (over the loud speaker) because a tassel on the Red, White and Blue was touching the ground. She fixed it rather quickly and continued her march.
It was a wonderful couple of hours filled with many, many stories. I figure since he was gone for a month, he'll likely have a month's worth of stories to tell so that should keep us gagging or laughing for a while.
Proud of you, Josh!!
He was in Alabama and Mississippi for one month with very little contact with the outside world. The contact he had was in the form of mail and the bus trip from Alabama to Mississippi and back. Other than that it was 33 days of entrenchment.
My dear one and I were able to fly down to be with him on graduation day. It was an impressive ceremony and you could certainly see how well trained these cadets are.
It was a little intimidating being there because I witnessed all the saluting and stiff walking that was going on. At one point the color guard got yelled at (over the loud speaker) because a tassel on the Red, White and Blue was touching the ground. She fixed it rather quickly and continued her march.
It was a wonderful couple of hours filled with many, many stories. I figure since he was gone for a month, he'll likely have a month's worth of stories to tell so that should keep us gagging or laughing for a while.
Proud of you, Josh!!
Sunday, August 12, 2012
You know you're camping when . . .
...the paper plates blow onto the ground and you brush them off and use them anyway.
...you have to walk 100 yards to use the bathroom or shower and you do so willingly.
...you smell like campfire smoke for 5 days even after a showering on each of those days.
...your children spend hours together with no electronics and actually get along really well.
...your 16 year old plays Yahtzee with you and you use real dice and a score card that you have to fill out yourself.
...breakfast is eaten on the bed because the picnic table is wet from last night's rainfall.
...the s'mores taste better than ever, dripping with melted chocolate and gooey marshmallows.
...you take the time to enjoy the sunset.
...the bug noises keep you awake the first night and lull you to sleep on subsequent nights.
We had a great time, but boy is it good to be home.
...you have to walk 100 yards to use the bathroom or shower and you do so willingly.
...you smell like campfire smoke for 5 days even after a showering on each of those days.
...your children spend hours together with no electronics and actually get along really well.
...your 16 year old plays Yahtzee with you and you use real dice and a score card that you have to fill out yourself.
...breakfast is eaten on the bed because the picnic table is wet from last night's rainfall.
...the s'mores taste better than ever, dripping with melted chocolate and gooey marshmallows.
...you take the time to enjoy the sunset.
...the bug noises keep you awake the first night and lull you to sleep on subsequent nights.
We had a great time, but boy is it good to be home.
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