35 REALLY??

This past week was my birthday, believe it or not I'm to the point that I really don't care much anymore about having a birthday. It just means that a bunch of people some you like, some you don't, ask you over and over "so how old are you?" Really, if I didn't tell you then it's really none of your business. "I'm old, ok are you happy now!" For some reason turning 35 has been hard for me to swallow, I look at many people I know family, friends all who are 35 and they look young and active. I look at me at 35 and see old and tired, I think maybe it's because most 35 year old's don't have five children, let alone half of them pre teen or teenagers. Been married over 16 years, etc. OK, OK enough of my self pity party.... I will move on to what makes my birthday fun and what helps me look forward to it every year!! My children started getting excited about my birthday 4 days in advance, they called up their day at work and LET him know he was taking them birthday shopping for me when he got home from work. They where NOT going to take NO for an answer he was going to do it. So for days all five of them gleamed from ear to ear with excitement for my birthday. When it finally came they had a debate on if they should give me my gift in the morning or evening. You see this gift that they have been gleaming over for days is something they pulled their money together and bought on their own. Which made it all that more special to them and me. They made me a great big breakfast, helped keep a eye on the little boys all day, and cleaned up the house. This in it's self was a great birthday gift. Finally Lynn got home from work and the real pretty could start, they made a very yummy dinner, and insisted on putting 35 candles on the cake... Josh and Travis trying to light ALL those birthday candles...

Jake doing his birthday dance...

"I DID IT", I blow all the candles out in one breath. Even with a cold I did pretty well...

"OH, look that gift they where sooo excited for, it's a can of olives. Yes, I do like olives, just maybe not this much...

"OH, wait it's a nice new iPod nano, purple even, one of my favorite colors. Sniff, sniff, my kids love me so much they spent their money they have worked for all summer mowing lawns, helping clean up yards for neighbors, on getting me something I have wanted for years, but the budget never allowed. I am one lucky mom, I have the BEST kids in the world!!
These are the flowers my loving husband got for me, what a wonderful family I have made. I love you all thank you for a great birthday!!!