Noel's 20th Birthday

 

Noel turned 20 over the weekend. She was so celebrated by many people. Throughout the day, she would tell me of more people messaging and texting her to wish her a happy birthday. After some tough years in the past, it made my heart happy to know that she now has good people in her life that are willing to take even a little bit of time out of their day to do such a simple thing to make a difference in her day. 

With Noel's birthday being on the weekend, we were able to spend the day with each other on her actual birthday for a change. We started the day off getting breakfast and streaming Wicked. Then, we went to Red Robin and headed to the theater to see Wicked: For Good. We loved the movie. She is actually going to see it one or two more times this week. 

After the movie, we went home to rest a bit before going to Olive Garden as a family. Then, we went home for dessert, presents, and karaoke. (All her choices.) I hope she had a good birthday and knows how much she is loved. 

It Feels Weird

My youngest child will be turning 20 in a few days. This means a few things. First, I will no longer have any teenagers. They are really all adults now. Also, she will be the age I was when I married my first husband. )Why did no one say I was too young? Oh. That's right. They didn't care as long as they didn't have to pay for it.) Then, there is the reality most people wouldn't even think of: my youngest child will officially be older than my older brother. I'm not doing great with this thought. I was relieved when the boys made it past 19. This is different somehow. 

Mom and Sean Day 2025

 I made a tradition of having a day with just the birthday kid around the time I married Chad because I knew that at least one of them was having a hard time with all of the changes over the previous year. it actually started with me taking Eric with me to court for an expired license plate ticket. I called him out of school and told him he could spend the day with me. It was a simple thing that meant a lot to him. When Sean's birthday came around 8 months later, he wanted a day with me, too. I have made a point to spend a time with them for their birthdays ever since. Now, we get to do something more, and they each get to pick what we do. I am glad that they still enjoy this. 

This year, I was unable to talk off work for Sean's birthday because work was crazy in September, so we made the plan to do something the first weekend I was free. I told him to choose what we would do, as usual. At first, he said he would look to see what movies were showing. There was nothing (not too surprising). Then, he came to me asking if we could go to the escape room nearby. I booked us an appointment for this past Saturday for the room with a dragon theme. 

We had so much fun! Some of the puzzles were harder than others, but we worked together as a team and finished with 9 seconds remaining. 

Then, we went to McDonalds, as we always do for our day together. Overall, it was an enjoyable morning/afternoon. I hope he knows how much he is loved. 

Sean's Birthday

 

Sean is officially 22! We celebrated on his birthday by going to Village Inn just as we have done every year since he turned 9. He used to get funny face pancakes. Now, he gets a chocolate pancake breakfast (a bigger version of the same thing, basically). Then, we went back to the house for chocolate cake, a game of UNO, and have him open presents. I hope he had a good birthday. I'm just going to try to come to terms with the fact that he is already 22. 

Mom's Birthday

 

This past weekend, I went to a baby shower where we played a Family Feud style game in which one of the questions asked what a new parent might ask a seasoned parent advice about. I wrote down the basics: feeding, bathing, putting to sleep. I only got one right.  Then I heard someone make a comment about how the basics are pretty much learned when the mom comes to help her daughter care for the new baby. This was just one  more reminder of what I missed out on. I had a wonderful mother-in-law at the time that taught me the things I needed to know, but it wasn't my mom, and I had to ask. I didn't get to have my mom do these things because she died 7 1/2 years before I had my first child. I think this reminder hurt more because this shower was only 3 days before my mom's birthday. 

Now, it is my mom's birthday. I miss her terribly. I miss her smile. I miss her laugh. I miss hearing the sound of her voice. I miss her willingness to try to help me with hobbies she either doesn't really understand or doesn't like doing. I wish she were here but know my life would have been way different if she was. I will have to settle for knowing that I will be with her again, feeling her arms around me. 

Happy birthday, Mom! I love you! I can't wait for the day we will be celebrating together again. 

Chad's Birthday

 

Last night, we celebrated Chad's birthday. It was a day late because we wanted Super Bowl food on his birthday and knew we be concentrating on the game. He agreed that it would be better if we waited a day. 

I think he had a good celebration. It wasn't the big party he had last year, but he wasn't turning 50 this year. We had dinner and desert at home with all of the kids. He chose chicken enchiladas, Snoop Dog's brownies, and ice cream. We also played a game of Exploding Kittens. After dinner, he opened his gifts, and we sat around talking and enjoying each other's company. 

I don't know for sure if he enjoyed his celebration, but he seemed to have liked it. My hope is that he felt special and loved. 

Celebrating Eric

Eric's birthday was last week. He came over for pizza (his choice for birthday dinner), presents, and monkey bread (his choice for dessert). I love this kid and love celebrating special occasions with him. I love watching him continue to grow mentally and emotionally. He amazes me on a regular basis. I am so blessed to be his mom.

Noel took pictures this time around because my phone had died.

Tonight, Eric and I went out for our yearly Mom and Eric day. Given several choices of things to do, he chose dinner at Fat Shack, a strange restaurant that serves very odd sandwiches. He loves this place but hasn't been there since moving back to our part of town. We had weird food and good conversation. It's nice that he still wants to spend this kind of quality time with me.

Anthony's 48th Birthday

 

Anthony would be 48 today. That is odd to say knowing he has had 29 birthdays since he passed away at 19. He didn't get to live the life we dreamed of together. There was no wife. There was no son named Marc Anthony. We never bought a small newspaper together. The kids in this picture who still have all of their baby teeth didn't know what the future would bring. They just knew they were forever siblings. Thankfully, we will always be siblings and will be together in the afterlife. We are a forever family. 

Happy birthday, Anthony! I hope you are celebrating with Mom. 

Her Birthday

 

Noel turned 19, yesterday! (I didn't forget to post about it. I wanted to make sure to get pictures of the day first.) She started the day finishing the outfit she was making for the evening, and she did a WONDERFUL job! I am is awe of her sewing talent. 

Then, we had Panda Express for lunch and headed to see Wicked Part 1. We loved it. Neither of us have seen the stage production, so this was our chance to see it. We already have plans to see the other half when it comes out next year. 

Later, we went to dinner at the place of her choosing with the family and her boyfriend followed by going home for presents, dessert, and a game that she chose. 

My hope is that she knows how much she is loved and felt special on her special day. 

21 Already!

 

My precious Sean turned 21 today! It seems like just yesterday he was climbing on my lap with "blankie" and "arrr" (his security blankets) and a sippy cup. He still love to give me hugs even though he can't climb on my lap anymore. I can't wait to see what the future hold for this boy. I love him more than words can describe. 

Mom’s Birthday

 

My mom’s birthday is one of those days that are hard. I miss her. I wish she were here I miss her laugh and her smile. I miss her hugs the most. When she would hugged me, it was like being enveloped in love. Her arms would pull me in like I was the only person she ever wanted to hug. I’ve never been hugged by anyone else like she did. I know she is doing great things in the next life. It is selfish for me to want er here. Someday, I will leave this life and be greeted with her embrace. 

I love you, Mom. Happy birthday in heaven. 

Birthday Festivities

 I have been wanting to throw Chad a real birthday party for a while. This year was the year. If we can't celebrate 50, what can we celebrate? A few week ago I bought decorations and started really planning this party. I planned a game, food, drinks, and invited friends and family. 

Chad and I spent a good portion of our morning shopping for the party. First, we went to ARC to find a new punch bowl (this one has cups and a ladle with it), a pretty severing platter (Noel said I couldn't use the Girls Scout one I use for most things), and a couch cover. I was so excited to find a punch bowl and platter that matched. It was a very successful trip. (I think I have gotten to be pretty good at thrifitng.) Then, we went to the grocery store for the party food. I already had everything I needed to make the German chocolate cake including the frosting (a true sign that I love this man). We just needed chips, dip, veggies, cheese, crackers, and olives. There was a buy two, get three free sale on chips, so we got more than we would normally. There were various ecoupons and sales on many of the other items we needed as well. Overall, we spent a lot more than planned, but he only turns 50 once. 

When it came to party time, we had all of the kids in our home helping set up decorations and set up food. A lot of people showed up to celebrate this big day with Chad. They brought various treats and gifts. We played a game of "Who Knows Chad Best" in which I asked 11 questions and let them answer them either out loud or in their heads. Then, Chad would give the answers. I had each person keep score in their heads. Noel won. She only got one wrong. Chad's brother got second place with six correct answers. It seemed the main question people knew the answer to was where we met (at work in the Dish Network call center). They really tried to figure out the answers to questions, like what high school he graduated from, based on what they already knew about him. It was a fun game, and I wish I had more questions I could ask. 

I love Chad more than I ever thought possible. I am so glad that I could put this together for him and show him how much he is loved. 

He’s 50!

The true love of my life turns 50 today! He is such an amazing person, and I am so lucky to be his wife. I couldn’t imagine this world without him. 

Eric and Mom Day 2024

Eric made it known that he wanted to have a day with me for his birthday again. He seemed to have forgotten that he had told me he had outgrown it. The only issue we had was figuring out what to do and when. He finally decided he wanted to go to Meow Wolf, so I got tickets for after work yesterday. 

Eric had a blast. We were there for a bit over two hours and saw everything at least once. The world they have created in this odd shaped building is amazing and intricate. Eric loved it so much that he didn’t want to leave. I really enjoyed spending time with my oldest child. I love seeing the excitement and curiosity in his eyes. 

He’s 22!

 

My sweet Eric turned 22 today. It has been such a privilege to be his mom. He has always been so kind and loving. He was always that kid that wanted to be friends with everyone and not let anyone feel left out. I am a better person because of him. I am so lucky to be the person he calls mom. 

We celebrated with a dinner at Old Chicago,

a lemon cake made by his girlfriend,

and a game an presents at our house. 

We also have plans to spend Mom and Eric time Friday night. I hope he knows how much we love him. 

Anthony’s 47th Birthday

My brother, who passed away at 19, would be 47 today. How weird is that? I would like to believe he would have grown up to be as wonderful as I always knew he was when we were kids. I like to believe that he would have fought his demons given the chance. I like to believe our kids would have grown up together, and he would have been the fun, protective, caring uncle my kids would have loved deeply. Maybe he wasn’t meant to become that person. Maybe he was meant to teach me how wonderful a big brother could be. I’m glad I had him as my friend, protector, and brother. Happy birthday in heaven, Anthony!

Noel Turns 18

My baby girl turned 18 today. It seems like she was a sassy toddler just yesterday, but now she is fully grown. Where has the time gone?

To celebrate her birthday, we went to Pizza Hut as a family before going home for more fun. At home we had monkey bread for dessert (her choice), she opened her presents, and we played Clue. We had originally planned to put up the Christmas tree, but she chose a game instead. Thankfully, everyone in the family was able to be there for her. 

My goal for the kids’ 18th birthdays has been for them to be spoiled. I tried very had with this one. I hope she knows how special she is. 

Start of Noel’s Birthday Week

Noel’s 18th birthday is in a few days. We try to make the 18th special. (Of course, it gets a bit bigger with each kid.) Adding to my desire to make this one bigger than others is the fact that her last few birthdays haven’t been great and she has needed a bit extra attention lately. This means I am doing my best to spoil her this year. 

Today, she had some friends over to celebrate with her. She made it clear that she wanted to be the one who planned it and didn’t want me hovering. She asked us to buy fruit and veggie trays. We also got chips and some appetizers for our dinner and for the girls to eat. Once they were all here, they mostly stayed in Noel’s room while we kept the dogs out of the way. It sounds like they had a good time. 

The next celebration is on Wednesday when we take all of us to dinner and decorate the Christmas tree. I hope she feels special. (That is always my goal even if I occasionally fail.)

Using Birthday Yarn

 

My sister bought me yarn for my birthday on Amazon. She chose the type of yarn and sent me a link to choose which set of colors I liked. I, of course, chose the most purple combination offered. 

I have been so involved with other projects since then that I hadn’t taken the time to look for a project that would suit this yarn. However, with the hats for my kids and my sister’s family done and my sweater at the stitching phase, I am now ready to make something with this yarn. 

Yesterday, I sat down and used the advanced search option on Ravelry, put in the attributes of the yarn, and searched for the perfect project. Unfortunately, the first 3 or 4 that caught my eye were discontinued patterns (how does this happen so much). Then, I saw a pattern for a pillow type thing. It is perfect! Would I rather be knitting? Yes! There just wasn’t a pattern with an existing pattern with the yardage requirements that fit what I have. It is a fun project, but I have made a few tweaks that work better for me. I have a feeling this will be another quick project. I wonder what I’ll do next. 

Meow Wolf Denver with Sean

I have a tradition with my kids for their birthdays in which they get a day with me to do something of their choosing. (Eric decided he grew out of this when he was 18.) I won't get into all of the reasons it started because they don't matter now. What does matter is that this one day they get to have my attention and have fun doing something they want to do without anyone else's opinion on what that is. The only time this didn't work so well was in 2020 when we had to find an alternative for Boondocks. 

I know it is almost two weeks since Sean's birthday, but today was my day with Sean. He has finally decided that he has outgrown Boondocks, so he chose to go to Meow Wolf. He already went with he grandma and wanted to show me around. There were a lot of things to see and a storyline with the Q card. After about an hour, he was overwhelmed with all of the people and mentioned several times how there weren't as many people last time (in the middle of a weekday). I was overwhelmed with all of the sounds, and I assured him that I would not be upset if he wanted to leave. We made a quick stop at the gift shop before heading to Cold Stone and going home. 

Overall, it was a good day. I'm so glad that I have this tradition with my kids. I am sure they will all eventually grow out of it, but I will enjoy it while it lasts.