An Aaaww Moment......

Today is my birthday.

It will be a normal day like all the others. Or I may meet a friend for lunch. Or not.

This weekend when Daryl makes it home from WY we will have an evening out like we always try to do. Just the two of us. Or maybe the whole family.

Just an ordinary birthday this year.

But not last year. Last year when I reached the peak of that dreaded mountain of 40 years old!! But it was not really dreaded at all. I did enough of that at 35!!! Enough to last til the big 4-0.

Actually turning 40 was alot of fun.

Being I am a very inquisitive person and can guess hints like any mom can I can usually guess what all the commotion is about. I can read the signs as they think they are being secretive but yet they may as well wave a banner as they just gave it away when you whisper on the phone, slam doors when I'm around, start whispering as soon as I leave the room, ask too many questions about something, etc.

But last year I missed every dang sign that I later remembered should of set off my radar!!

My family did the unachievable... they surprised me with a 40th bday bash!!! Last years birthday was anything but ordinary!

I walked into my house after being a little frustrated of what we were to have accomplished by going "shopping" that day. When I opened the door there was the whole house full of family and freinds screaming at me. I almost dropped my gallon of milk and ...almost piddle on the floor.

I had a great time. And everyone else did too at my expense , of course!!

One of my favorite things was the gift from my family. The scrapbook that Maria and Tessa put together to highlight our family over the past 23 years.

It is filled with treasures like these.

And these.



We never tire of looking thru this book of memories over and over.


Family pics over the years.

Priceless memories.
Tessa after meeting a mud puddle.
The three older kids causing the landlady a tantrum for jumping on the bed.
Clark with rocks in his stocking one Christmas morning with a note from the naughty santas (Maria & Dirk) saying "you've been bad".

This book is a treasure.

Thanks to my family for all the priceless memories. I cant wait to see the memories we will have by the time I'm 80! But please dont surprise me then!!!