Birthday Birthday!!

My Family, well this is just a few of us..... We celebrated our Birthdays this year with a family sleepover, a brave idea and we will not be trying it again, its too hard on the little ones.... Sofie and I had a wonderful Birthday celebration non the less and now I am 40 & she is 12!! Garrett will be 20 in August and Frankie will be 41 in April, his birthday is the next one to prepare for....

Growing up with 7 younger sisters has been challenging and rewarding...as we grow older our differences are vast, I just hope we can all learn to accept each other for those differences and love each other and our collective families with unconditional love...because love is what makes the world go 'round dahlings!!

39 and counting.....

I feel like this photo.... ready to kick up my heels and seize the day!! Carpe Diem every day is what I strive for!

I called my Mom this morning and thanked her for bringing me here... into this world that is. I am not sure if I ever said it to her that simply before...I am 39 today ~ I always thought 40 was old 'till a few years ago, I told myself then that I wanted to be better @ 40 than I was at age 20 and I am getting closer to my goal every year :)

I had the most amazing weekend being pampered by the love of my life! He made me feel soo very special and loved!

In the past, my birthday had become a day I dreaded...the ex-factor always had a way of screwing things up on the day that was supposed to be MY special day soo I really didn't celebrate...my family was not one to celebrate birthdays in my early years of growing up so I had given up on looking forward to a celebration...this weekend changed all of that! This has turned out to be the most memorable birthday EVER and I am just amazed by it all!

I am thankful today and everyday for my inner angel I have come to know inside myself...Listening to that still small voice can be challenging but so very rewarding when we take the time to be quiet and listen....

(I am aware now more than ever before how very public my blog is soo I will be sharing abridged/ shortened versions of any personal activity occuring in my life due to the fact that too many inquiring minds want to know too much!!!) censorship is a necessary thing...

I got to see my sisters and their families yesterday, it is always nice to get together with them...We are all growing and changing in our own individual ways and it is very interesting to watch! Because I am not in town all the time I get a different perspective than I used to...that is another blog subject entirely!

Since the almost fatal fall last August, alot has changed for me...I am reminded when I see a loved one I have not seen in awhile...or just the other day when my BFF was discussing how much easier it is to talk to me.... I am not as scatter brained as I was before and he even said I seem more wise... ha ha ha :) I think some of it is because I was slowed down in every aspect of my life and now understand how important it is to think things through, think a little before I speak and also try to understand how my words will affect the person I am speaking to.

I am looking forward to the year ahead and all that it will bring...Having a man in my life who truly loves me has made all the difference in the world ~ for that and the many other blessings in my life I am grateful!
This is my 'mantra' this year!!

It's Over... The Fat Lady Sang her heart out!

Alot of folks woke up this morning feeling either elated or disappointed...I went to vote with my 18 year old son Garrett after work yesterday afternoon, thankfully we just missed the long line that was about to form ~ I was proud to be there to see him exercise his right to vote & we voted together!

I remember the first time I voted, I took him with me in 2000 ~ I am ashamed that it took me soo very long to exercise my right to vote! Savanna voted at school last Friday and we all voted for Obama :) She would not admit it to her dad ~ he is a staunch Republican and I hate that she felt she had to lie to him in order not to upset him but some things will never change and he is one of them unfortunately....

I was glad to see my kids so involved in the election process ~ Garrett registered to vote the day he turned 18 this year, then got the tattoo he had been waiting for since he was 16 :) his priorities were in line huh?? The photo is from his Birthday party which he arrived late because of the tattoo he was getting!!

Savanna was too excited to go to sleep last night! She had so many questions about the red and blue states and why are some gray and some still white?? I was happy to stay up and explain it all to her, as I said glad to have her inquisitive about it. This day will go down in the history books ~ I am glad I was here to witness it!