Getting older

Today was my birthday.  As birthdays go, it was very low-key.  But I realized today that really I have so much to be thankful for every day, and so many things really ARE getting better with age...

Glen and I have had over 13yrs together and love each other more every day.  We have been through so many wonderful and difficult times, and in the end it just keeps getting better.

I have two children that are growing more wonderful every day. I have had the joy and privilege of being a stay-at-home mom that has witnessed every milestone and dealt with all the life-changing moments that happen as babies turn into toddlers, and into "big" kids. The kids have given me challenges like nothing else, and although at times I have felt like a huge failure (I think that's pretty normal for any mom), I know that I have learned so much through them, and I know that it has been a growing experience for me. One that I know will never end.

I know what is important to me.  I want to be a good example, a good wife, a good mother, a good friend.  I want to help others and love others and be an encouragement to others.  I love being encouraging.  I love using my life experiences to build meaningful relationships with other people that can be uplifting.

I have so many wonderful friends... some that I have had for almost 30yrs, and some that, although only 5 years old, are growing day by day into friendships that I know will last a lifetime.

I have gone from someone who knew the theory of God from school, to someone who has know the yearning for God as a young adult, to someone who has come to know the grace of my savior Jesus, to someone who has shared the love of God with a spouse, to someone who now gets the awesome responsibility to input that faith into two new little lives.  That has been a lifetime of growth, and I am not done yet.

Sometimes I am daunted by the idea that I am already in my mid-30s and "haven't done much".  But when I stop and think about it, I really have done a lot!  And it has resulted in growing up, learning, and maturing. 

Like a fine wine. 

Possible to forget??

Last night we were talking about how you think you'll never forget how cute your kids are and all the priceless things they'll say.  And then you do.  I get so mad with myself that I didn't do a better journalling job of the cute things the kids have said.  So I'm going to write them down here, when I remember them.  It'll be totally random and disjointed, so forgive me if there are posts that are just lists of words!!  They are not in any chronological order, either... so I don't remember when they were phased out.  I know that when Hannah started to lose her baby words and start using the correct ones it was a little sad...

Oliver: 
macayoni pizza (when corrected he realizes that it is in fact peppeyoni pizza)
gyeen like a gyass (every time you ask what color something green is - green like the grass)
wuv (love)

Hannah:
maquarium (aquarium)

And I know there are a million more.  As I think I'll write.  Because it is sad to me that even though some of the cutest sayings only ended a month ago, I have already forgotten a lot of them.  How is that possible!???

Hannah Turns 5 and we have a PARTY!

My Missy-Moo is 5.  That seems like a "big" birthday... a whole handful!  She is so adorable... curious, adventurous, soaks up all kinds of information and seems to have an amazing memory for little details.  We (and our friends) have always marvelled at her grown-up vocabulary even when first speaking, and we continue to do so.  She is so smart.  And the little mixed South African-American accent is pretty adorable too!  It is fun that she is making real friends.  Not just playmates any more, but friends she tells secrets and stories to, and has real things in common with.  Really sweet to see her social skills evolve...

This year we again had a joint party for the kids. Since Hannah's birthday fell on a Saturday she got to celebrate her birthday and party all rolled into one. Score!! On Friday night when I was putting her to bed, I mentioned that in the morning a surprise was coming for her party. I had hired a bounce house (can you say "mother-of-the-year"?). She got sooooooo excited, and I told her we could keep it a secret from Oliver. She told me, "Don't worry, Mom. I get it. It's classified information. Just you and me will know." I love her!!!

The party was great. Lots of kids just bouncing and playing and happiness. And then cakes.... My mom has baked the kids' birthday cakes every year. They are always amazing. This year Hannah had a Wall-E cake and Oliver had a dirt hill with monster trucks. VERY cool cakes. So basically bounce house, cakes and ice-cream, and gifts. And some wonderful friends. Ingredients for a fun-filled day!

Oliver is 3 today!!

It's inevitable, but watching your kids grow really does seem to go too fast. I can't believe that it is 3 years since Oliver was born. He's such a wonderful child. Cute as pie with his shock of white hair and blue blue eyes (thanks, Daddy). So many people mistake him for a child much older because he is soo tall. But he is so skinny, too. His little arms snuggling around my neck just seem so tiny.
Mainly so that I don't forget I need to write down some things that are cute. I regret that I didn't journal their cuteness as babies, so it is possible (shocking as it seems to me) that I might forget some of the cute things they do and say. Right now, this is Oliver:

"yeah, sure" when asked to do something or if something is true/ right. So casual.

"actually, ..." when correcting you, something he and Hannah both like to do.

"me. a. robot" (in a robotic voice). Last night he was hilarious... he got a transformer as a gift and it goes from a car to a robot (I thought). So he was holding it and talking and I said.. "me. a. robot", and in the same robotic voice he said "actually. me. not. a. robot., me. a. trans. former". Funny boy.

"me wuv you" He is now perfectly capable of saying I love you, but he still reverts back to that when he is cuddly and feeling a bit babyish. And it's pretty adorable.

After I talk to Glen on the phone he asks who it was. I say, "Daddy", and then he asks, "My Daddy and Hannah's Daddy? And your wuv (love)?" Well, couldn't put it better myself, really.

We went out for dinner to celebrate, and he was just so overjoyed and happy to be showered with love and attention and cuddles from Hannah and us, and Glen and I both felt overwhelmed with how much we love him and what a joy and gift he has been to our family. Our baby ("actually, me not a baby, me a boy").

Playing with the transformer got more attention than dinner

Family Birthday Month

March is pretty exciting around here!! Both kids are March babies, plus I am a March baby. Also, don't forget Uncle Alistair. The kids ask if it is March yet as soon as Christmas is over. Hannah knows she has to wait until March 20th, so every day I have to give them the date. The order goes:
Alistair will be 26 on March 7
Oliver will be 3 on March 16
Hannah will be 5 on March 20
I will be another year older on March 24.

There is a lot of celebrating to happen. And lots of pictures will hopefully follow.

So.... Cheers to us!!! Hooray, hooray, hooray, hooray!