Time to Celebrate Me!!!

I know that sounds narcissistic, but as I celebrate me I get to celebrate all the great things about being me.

I got home yesterday and found this in my mail

If you don't know the Face Family, folks, YOU are seriously missing out!
They are amazing! They know how to love, have a good time, party, welcome strangers, and spread good cheer- just to name a few things.

Thank You Nancy Face!


I got this email in my inbox-

I know I'm a day early, but just wanted to wish you a happy birthday. I remember when you were born. Judy, Elaine and I were working at a sewing place in P.G. but I wasn't fast enough (or they gave m the hardest jobs to do...like sewing in the zippers in men's pants then the pockets and when I couldn't do that fast enough they gave me my pink slip and sent me on my way.

Lynda was still working and needed a babysitter for you while she was at work, so voila, I became your first babysitter. Learned to feed and change your diapers and all that newborn stuff. So not only did you arrive on my birthday, but I got the chance to bond with you early on; though I suspect you don't remember any of that. It was fun watching you grow up and find your niche in life. So after all these years, here's a HURRAH for all that we've become and all that we have yet to become. HAPPY BIRTHDAY GAL!

Love from Aunt Lorraine

My Aunt Lorraine is amazing. She has a son that lives in Texas and I used to tend him. She would take me to movies, feed me dinner, listen to Styx with me and so much more. She bought a Styx album just for the song Babe. Yeah, shes' great. She is someone I consider a great friend and has been a powerful influence in my life. Her love, example, and friendship has helped shape me and taught me much. She shares my birthday with me.

She mentions all of her sisters in the email. I don't know too many people who are friends with their aunts and not just nieces. I have a friendship with each of my mom's sisters.

I lived just up the road from my Aunt Judy for 10 years. She is strong, beautiful, and persevering. She has guided me as Aunt, friend, neighbor, and Relief Society President. She has three great kids that happen to be close enough in age to me that we can all be friends, too.

My Aunt Elaine was a single mom to 6 kids. Her three oldest are counted among my friends, too. Elaine is quieter than me. She tolerates my social side. She give much love to her family and her acts of service to her children and grand children are amazing. She also shares my brithday! Her and Lorraine are twins. Lucky, aren't I? Yep, I am.

My mom is my best friend. She is the woman who through hard times continued to show me how to grow and be like Jesus and Heavenly Father would have me be. She supports me in so many ways. She listens. She saved my children from certain mommy meltdown on numerous occasions. She helps me to strive to be the mother that my children need and that I want to be. She encourages me in all that I do. I know that I would not be who I am today with out her.

My mom and Frog chatting :)

So now I want to talk about some others that help me be the best me I can and therefore need celebrating on my special day.

Hubby- We have had our rocky times. I am so glad that we both are dedicated to each other, our family, and our marriage. He is my rock. He is my best friend. (If mom hears it, so does he) He supports me in all that I do and is so patient with my health struggles. He does all that he can to make my struggles easier. He is an incredibly hard worker and talented man. I scored big time when he chose me.

Kids- Being a mother is my greatest joy. I am so honored to be the one whom the Lord has chosen to raise, influence, teach, love, and be trusted with of my children. This classification is not just limited to the children who share my last name. Each child that enters our home is cherished and loved as God sees them. It would be really long (yes this post can get longer) to go into details about each of them so I am just going to name the current ones that give me such great privilege to be part of their lives:
Oldest and his fiance, Frog, Monkey Wrench and his girlfriend, Jumping Monkey, Sassy, Tree Monkey, Jaguar, Koda Bear, Lazy Lion, and about 20 other kids who frequent my home but have not yet chosen their jungle names.

Friends- Both online and in real life (which lucky for me is both in many cases)

Extended Family- On my mom's side as well as my dad's side I have many cousins that I call friend. We have had some fun times growing up and having families together. We keep in touch at least annually through Christmas letters with some being more often through email and face book, lunches, and family parties. Some of us blog, too!

Grandparents- On both sides of my parentage I have hard working people. I have a grandpa that taught me to love music, work on cars, laugh, hug, cry, and forgive. I have a grandma that made pancakes for me and the cousin or sibling that spent the night with us each morning. I learned to put bananas in pancakes from her. She taught me to sew and to be creative, by making ornaments with ALL of us grandkids every year. Most of all these two gave me my mom.

Many of those who have touched my life have passed on. They are with me and in my heart and thoughts often.

I am so truly blessed to have people in my life that help me grow and learn.

I cannot celebrate me without celebrating all of them.

Getting old isn't so bad. But I am only in my early 40's, still. I hope I don't change my attitude on this. Good stuff is a coming with weddings, more kids (through foster care), and eventually down the road- grand kids.

Happy Birthday to ME!!!!