Today is My Birthday.

A surprise bouquet from my mom and dad.
Is there anything more wonderful then unexpected flowers?

It's true, and I'm 31. Geesh I still feel the same as I did when I was 18 or something. How can we age so much but not feel different? I remember pondering that on some random birthday when I was like nine. I was nine but I still felt the same as eight or seven... One of the great mysteries I suppose.

Last year I was thirty so it was a big-to-do. Dinner, surprise trip, new computer, surprise party, my first successful sewing of a dress. A dress I still wear! That was a year ago and I've sewn so much since then! That's really the most amazing mile stone for this year; that I would consider myself a true sewist.
Any way last year was a big deal so this year it's pretty low key and I was trying to decide what did I really want to do and the answer was clear "go to Lake Michigan." but since it's thursday and we all have to work that's been put off until July. Second on my list is to go shopping, I'm doing that Monday. So I finally settled on throwing a small neighborhood bbq. I love entertaining and being with people and we've usually had a neighborhood picnic by now so it seemed appropriate. I like the "Hobbit" of it all. You know? How Hobbits throw a party for every one else on their birthday. So that's what I'm doing sans the presents.

It's so gorgeous. Maybe the prettiest bouquet
I've ever received!!!!

However to make it a true hobbit party I need to give away at least one present so I am going to be giving away an "English" pin cushion to one of you dear readers. English because: I'm making it from a tea tin, Tolkein was English, and it was jut the Queens Diamond Jubilee (and I was going to throw a tea party but forgot so it's getting lumped in there too). I don't have a pic of the pin cushion b/c it's not finished but it will be english with sort of a modern twist (I think) and if you don't sew you can still stick jewelry pins in it or just look at it.

Getting the party started early with "dirt cake"

So any way, in order to enter to win just leave a comment on this blog telling us what your favorite "English" thing is. Crumpets and tea? Or is Dr. Who more your style. Frankly I've got a bad case of Anglophilia right now so I'm loving it all including "Downton Abbey" and scones. Or if this is too weird for you, just leave a random comment. I'll choose a winner Monday-ish.

No I mean it's real dirt people.

Love you all, thanks for being part of this blog another year!

Dearest Hunter,

Today you are four.  That means four years ago I was laying in a hospital bed scared to death of becoming a mom.  Your dad was trying not to pass out and your Nannie was driving across the country like a bat out of hell trying to get here in time.

Four years ago I became a mom, I became your mom.  At that instant I knew my life would never be the same.  That I was altered in a way that would change the way I live every moment of my life.  I held you in my arms and I knew I had been given a most incredible gift.

Today you are four, today I realize how bittersweet that gift is.  I try to cherish all the little moments and remember all the funny, sweet, cute things you say but no matter what you just keep on growing.  I look at you and I see both my tiny little baby and the grown man you'll become.  You're dad and I will try to raise you right but I know we'll make mistakes.  Those mistakes will become part of who you are; I'm sorry.  Then one day too soon you'll be all grown, you'll leave our home and start one of your own.

Along the way you'll have joys, and heart aches and all kinds of adventures.  Some of them will include me but the older you get the more of them won't.  The more I'll become an observer of your life.  You'll grow and change but my heart, the one that you already changed, it will still love you, it will still yearn to hold you and sing to you and tickle you.  My heart, the one you changed, will want to jump in and fix all your problems, even though I won't let it, it will break when yours breaks and it will rejoice when yours rejoices.









I don't know if it will feel this sad on your birthday every year, I have a feeling it will, even so I am so glad that you're my son, that I'm your mom.  I would never change it.  I love you Hunter, I always
will.

Happy Birthday! What can I give you that equals what you already gave me?