Birthdays and Perspective

Well, another Birthday passed. Ok, I'm making it sound like I don't care. Really, I LOVE birthdays.....they are fun, you celebrate life, gift giving (one of my love languages), words of affirmation (another love language), coffee of course and good laughs. But one of the best gifts and greatest things I learned this birthday, besides feeling a bit more wise and just plain grateful, was.....perspective and a THANKFUL heart. (Need to check my boys helping me put away clean laundry....it's getting put in the bathroom, I'm scared....brb.)
Ok, I'm back. And folded 2 loads of laundry, initiated by my boys wanting to help. Thanks, Boys!
I put my heart in an expectant position for the day (my birthday last week).....no matter what joy I was experiencing....coffee out w/girl friends at the park and lots of chatting or cleaning up a potty tip over....I found I had joy. I realized that instead of a large overwhelming must-do-to-do-don't really-do list......I set stuff aside, did some chores (a Mom has to you know.....or it just get crazier). My outlook and heart were set to be grateful....so when the usual hard stuff comes....5 pm low blood sugar potty's spilling all over....clean up emergency...well, I just said, " This is my birthday, not gonna let this ruin it". Amazingly, I had energy still, didn't feel so tired (as is proned to this phase of the day) and kept looking forward to the rest of the day (what was left). I began to think that I need to have this outlook and heart position each day! I had energy, I was super happy, I was expectant of good, I took the things that are hard for me and just kept going, it was a good day. That same life lesson, or should we say personal revelation....has been something I've been pondering and thinking on in my heart this past week or so. I wanted to share it so it will solidify, and hopefully keep growing in my heart and attitude.
I often feel tired throughout my day, overwhelmed, and just lethargic. I don't like feeling like this. My birthday was a revelation to my heart and mind, to change how I view things and handle life as it comes. Potty chairs and all!
How do you cultivate a thankful heart....I make my kids smile at me if they are pouting....it changes their heart and attitude. I don't think we are that much more complicated than kids, are we? Just more stubborn sometimes. I start thanking God for things, good things, great things, hard things, even bad things (mostly I've seen Him use them for good for me because He loves me), and like David in the Psalms, I command my soul to praise Him! It works wonders on a bad attitude or a dejected heart. When I'm truly going through something hard, I do the same, and often I dance and worship, something about moving around making myself and my body worship, changes my heart and my outlook and sometimes I even feel my situations shift. Practical application: Dinner time, crazy time for us all, I make dinner, taking breaks w/the worship music to dance.....and lift up praise = a better Mom = a better home and kids! Of course, I forget this great tool and position of heart, and those days/evenings are harder....but I'm sharing so I can keep it in the forefront of my heart/mind.
So grateful for a new perspective, what a great gift on a birthday.
To add to what I'm sharing....I recently read a post by a friend on FB telling us to get over our weather hating selves.....she said it comically but truthfully....if it's hot, quit complaining, go swim, drink ice tea, have fun! If it's cold, get cozy and put on a scarf, something hot and yummy to drink! (I have changed it a bit to my own but the heart of her comment was good). It's weather she said and it's always changes, so get over it! Loved it! We are so fickle and quick to complain.....hey, we are lucky to have A/c or swamp coolers in the summer, others don't have (my Mom always reminded us of the fact that we always have/had a lot) and we have heaters/woodstoves/blankets/family to cuddle with....and there are those who don't! Ooops, not trying to sound like my Mom, but I guess as I'm raising my boys, my heart is surfacing and I'm dealing w/all that is in it. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
To end on a lighter note....we are taking one of these last hot days....(a sudden heat wave of sorts, meaning hot for this cold summer) and going swimming w/Grandma!
Thanks for listening...and I would love to hear how you get perspective on life!
P.S. I'm experimenting w/a picture up loading option, so maybe pictures will appear in the near future...we'll see. As you can see above....I found a way.....the twins at the 2nd birthday party w/cousins eating popsicles! Pretty EXCITING.

My birthday

All the girls, minus a few who had to get home after frozen yogurt

This blog is late in coming, but my motto is better late than never (most of the time).

I just have to blog about the best birthday time or week.

I am blessed with many who love me....and was asked by my good friend, Mary (Mary, I don't know how to add your website in reference...help?), if she could throw me a birthday party.

Let me just preface that I really love my birthday, reasons to party, reasons to give gifts (or receive them). Now, being a Mom, you really appreciate the time and love that goes into organizing a little shin-dig. This year I thought I don't really care what I do (but deep down I did).... was so glad when Mary organized a small gathering of moms to go out on the town. We really lived it up in Grass Valley, by visiting our local frozen yogurt shop {we've not had one for a long, long time until the past few months}, and then seeing a chic flick. We saw Jennifer Aniston's movie, Love Happens, a good film, but not really a light and funny one, the way they'd like you to believe. I really wouldn't recommend seeing it to someone who's recently lost a love one or lost a love one in a car accident. Still a good movie, just a deeper more serious one than the previews portray. On a lighter note, I was blessed with some great lotions and candles, a hand crafted purse ( Mary), and a new pattern, oh, and a cooking magazine...what a wondeful nite out!

I love when birthdays don't end there.....lots of phone calls and the Happy Birthday song sung or left on my voicemail. Facebook messages....and of course birthday cards, which I display proudly for a month at least...(yes, they are still up).

The weekend following my birthday we went camping {another post to come...soon} and my family and close friends surprised me with a decorated cabin, some fine wines to taste, lovely jewelry and lots of love. It was so fun to celebrate all week long.

There are probably a few fun things I'm forgetting since it's been almost a month, but my lovely sister (in-law), Gaia, made me a beautiful bracelet (which now that my kids are older, I can now wear jewelry again). {Gaia makes some lovely jewelry, I have received it as gifts and also purchased from her to give as gifts...}.

Oh, I can't forget my shopping spree, yes! About a week before my birthday, I {started eating better and excersising} felt frustrated at living in sweats that don't fit, yes, sweats that didn't fit right...that's pretty bad. I had a few outfits that would work for the public {and no I don't wear my sweats out like some Grass Valleyians believe is ok}. All the clothes I have, and yes, Mom, I do have lots! But they are all smaller than my current build will allow to fit into. I've given a lot to my sisters, Megan and Kara and still I have more...that somehow don't fit. So, even with the fact that I knew from living healthier, I'd again be wearing some of my clothes that were packed away, I need a to get some new clothes, and FAST. Of course, I wish someone was there to help me pick things out, but being that Heather was watching my kids, I had to speed through the consignment store and quickly find myself a few good outfits. I did ok.....I found a pair of jeans for now, and one for later (risky, but once I make the choice in my head I'm usually set) - my goal jeans. A few good skirts (yes, I know it's Fall, and almost too cold already, but I realize skirts fit the build better and are way more comfy, too) and a few nice tops. It is hard when 1/2 the styles are still focused on looking maternity, even if they aren't, and so I tried my best with what was there....I am a happy girl. My shopping trip was a much needed therapy, and clothing fix, as well as, a birthday present from Adam's Mom and Grandma (birthday $). I don't want to forget to mention, that I finally used my make-up gift certificate, this same day! Yes, thanks to Heather watching the kids while I shopped (she was with me), I was able to use my Christmas gift certificate to buy some much needed make up (that I still find I rarely have the time to put on). It felt like a shopping extravaganza.

And last but not least.....I got to shop downtown for my sister (in-law), Mallory's birthday and also, found (with a birthday $ from my Grandma Jackie) a wonderful pair of jeans at this boutique shop I love (and on sale)! www.latedaboutique.com

A really great birthday, another year older, and feeling better with each year! I could say I'm like good wine, but that would be cheesy. And now to celebrate more birthdays...in October.