Big Birthday Bash - Part II

There was so much fun and excitement on this milestone birthday that I have to break it up into two posts.  My family and (surprise, friends!) made sure that I felt all the love on my actual birthday.  Early that morning, Mother and I dropped the kids off at school and headed to our first of several spa appointments around town, where we got facials, massages, our hair styled, and mani/pedis. HEAVENLY.

 

After our day, the kids practically pounced on me when we all got to the house with my presents. They love (especially Wesley) to watch - or help - open presents. I got lots of great things.

I knew James had made a dinner reservation for our family, and suspected nothing more than a nice dinner out. So imagine my surprise when I walked into the restaurant, James shooed me into the side banquet room, and I saw so many friends, colleagues and neighbors!!  AAAAAH.

We had a delicious low county boil, the most beautiful (and yummy) cake, and my friends did a lovely job on the decorations - a book theme of "have a novel birthday".  Love it. They know me so well.

I could not have planned nor imagined a more special day - and way - to turn 40.  A BIG shout out to this guy, who I now know spent lots of time and energy planning and making everything so perfect. And to think the only thing I did for him on his 40th was...well...birth our third child. :)  BUT, the bar is set high for his next milestone year!  Love you, babe!

Big Birthday Bash - Part I

My birthday month is officially over, but I am moving into this new decade of life with a full heart and many, many blessings - plus some wonderful memories of officially turning 40. My family, friends, and particularly my sweet husband made sure that I celebrated this big milestone birthday in the the best possible way.  We did so much celebrating I'm going to split it into two different posts.

First, the weekend before my birthday, we celebrated up in Atlanta with our dear friends (who were some of our best Atlanta neighbors, though we both wound up in Middle Georgia): the McLeods.  We ate (and ate and ate), squeezed into multiple Ubers, drank (in a teensy bit of moderation, of course), and also saw a great show at the Fox.  The weather turned frigid, and we barely survived the winds. However, this didn't stop us from bar hopping in some of the swankier places in Buckhead. 

After a delicious dinner of sushi at Umi's, we met up with other former Atlanta neighbors, Molly and Joel. SO GREAT to catch up with them!  

The next morning we had breakfast at R. Thomas (my favorite because I can get the best broccoli fennel for breakfast), then got in a quick visit with the other Sassers so I could love on the littlest nephew.

Big shout out to the grandparents who stayed in Dublin to take care of the littles. They were in good hands!  And Mama can always appreciate an adult night out.  :)  

Next up, the events on the Ides of March... 

Mother's Day!

My sweet family spoiled me this Mother's Day. We may not have been able to do our usual (church, forced pictures after church, Country Club, etc), but James and the kiddos still made it special.  Although there was an offer of quiet, alone time for the day, I found myself preferring us all together - even though our kiddos have been ticks lately, and I can't even remember the last time I went to the bathroom by myself!!  #motherhood

So what did we do? Not much of anything. They let me sleep in till 745AM, we had coffee and screentime on the porch listening to birds, they spoiled me with gifts, we went for a walk, we played frisbee, we took rests, we went to DQ (and at ice creams in the car) and then James made homemade pizzas on the grill.  In between that we just enjoyed a beautiful day outside.  Middle Georgia is actually experiencing a Spring, with cool-ish temperatures before the summer heat arrives.  Since we're all stuck at home in quarantine, God decided to bless us with this weather perfection so we can spend the days outside in our yard.

I love this family of mine.  I absolutely love being a mother to these three. It's the greatest joy and blessing of my life.   They make me laugh, they keep me on my toes, they create so much noise and chaos and fun each day - and we wouldn't have it any other way. :)

A "Mama" Day

My company gave us President's Day as a holiday this year, which I did not complain about at all.  (James' company also gave it as a holiday, but James, as the President, did not give himself off.) :)

This holiday led to a "me" day.  Ms. T still managed the children like a normal working Monday, and I took advantage of 9 unscheduled hours to unwind a bit.  Nine hours where I didn't have responsibility for anything but myself - sometimes it's needed, y'all!

Here's a recap of how I spent my day (in pictures, instant filter).

First, the boys woke up crack of dawn and gave me lots of good cuddles and hugs.  That makes up for the early rising - this Mama is not an early bird.

JB and I made pancakes for the family, particularly for Sis who requests them each morning. I only put a few "weird" things in them (i.e. flax seed meal).

My latest batch of kombucha had sat brewing for longer than recommended, but still tasted good as I bottled it up.  I even had time to prepare the new batch immediately.  (It looks grosser than it tastes, trust me!)

Around 9AM I poured another cup of coffee - that I got to drink hot!!  I re-read my bible study chapters for the evening sessions to refresh myself on the content.  They were just as powerful the second time around. Highly recommend Max Lucado's Anxious for Nothing book.

After a quick rendezvous with the ole pump, I left the house for my SPA APPOINTMENT!!!!!!!  The weather delivered lots of sunshine with perfect temps.  I drove around with the top down all day.  

I left the spa uber-relaxed and met James for a day date.  Sushi!  I forgot and ordered Nigiri instead of Sashimi, receiving a lecture from the owner about "wasting rice".  (Seriously????)

I arrived home with the intention of a streamed 21-Day Fix workout, but the weather (and vizsla) beckoned me outside.  First walk of the year where I arrived home hot.  BRING IT.  I'd much rather sweat that shiver, any day of the week.

During my walk I listened to two sermons from Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City. Their pastor, Adam Hamilton, just finished a series on World Religions.  I highly, highly recommend.  As he explains, 2/3s of the world are not Christian, but we, as Christians, are called to love our neighbor. How can we love all our neighbors if we don't understand them?   

I underestimated how much time I had left in my day, which left me scrambling to feed Wes, shower and get ready for music class!  Maryn, Wesley and I attend every Monday after work, and it's a real highlight of the week.  

On the way home from music I declared that I could not hear "Skip to my Lou" one more time (especially on my "me" day), and turned it to 90s on 9. Massive protests from the backseat.  

We got home with just enough time for me to hand 2 of the kiddos over to James, kiss the third kiddo (who played with Ms Kari, our little nighttime helper on Monday/Wednesday nights), wrap a baby afghan, and get in my car again.  Normal Mondays are my bible study night, but we also threw a baby shower for one of our girls this night.  Baby Walker is a much prayed for little man, and we can wait to meet him!

(I love this group of girls!!!  I'm so blessed to have this bible study and to learn from and be inspired by the women in it.)

I got home at 9PM to find a quiet house...and one little guy hiding out under the covers of the couch. Guess he thought I wouldn't see him??  I couldn't be too mad, since it meant I could put JB to bed (a good 30 minutes after his bedtime.)  

Not pictured - me staying up way too late to watch the Olympic finals in Ice Dancing!

WHEW, what a day!  I'm really grateful that I have people in our lives (including my very hands on husband) that allow me to step away from the chaos every now and again.   I'll admit I felt guilty some during the day (is this a woman thing?), but I also know that feeling relaxed, happy, and focused helps to make me a better Mama.