HAPPY 37TH BIRTHDAY, HOLLY!

December 16, 1978 was a night much like tonight ~ rainy and warm. Neil and I headed to the hospital around 8PM, more than ready to have child number two and thankful this kiddo, like our first one, decided to arrive two weeks early ~ nine days before Christmas instead of New Year's Eve eve. At 10PM out popped this tiny girl ~yay! another girl!~and the first thing I noticed about her was the blond hair. Back then, it was a four day hospital stay. Imagine that. And for four days, this cute blond kid didn't have a name. Can't remember if we were undecided or just couldn't agree, but before we left the hospital, we had finally settled on Holly Elizabeth. She was our almost-Christmas baby, so the name Holly seemed appropriate, yes? And we did carry her home in a red Christmas stocking provided by the nurses in obstetrics. In the twinkle of an eye, we flashed forward and we're here this evening, celebrating her 37th (!) birthday. Happy Birthday, Holly! You are a blessing to us, and we wish you all the best of everything today and always. We love you so very very much!

FOREVER 39

On this date in 1976, we got a big snowfall, a slippery ride to the hospital, and, about six hours later, a firstborn baby girl we named Kelly Teresa. Due on Thanksgiving that year, she arrived two weeks early which I was always grateful for ~ that and the fact she was the girl I’d hoped for. Flash forward [because anybody with kids knows that’s how fast it flies] and here we are today, celebrating her 39th birthday. How can this possibly be? She wanted Forever 39 written on her birthday cake. Nothing wrong with that [as any woman of a certain age will tell you]. Happy Birthday, dear daughter Kelly!! We love you so very much, and we’re thankful always for our almost-Thanksgiving baby. You are one of our greatest and most cherished blessings. Wishing you the best year ever!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JANE!

My 'baby' sister, Jane Foy, celebrated her 54th birthday today. [54?!] The cake, ice cream, and punch were seriously delicious, and the flat presents [a.k.a. cards with cash inside] were well received by the birthday girl. Happy Birthday, Jane! I love you bunches and then some! Hope all your birthday wishes come true!

Grandson Elijah turns 9 years old tomorrow [Monday, August 17], but we helped him celebrate his special day today with a party at his house. He enjoyed all the traditional birthday treats ~ cake, ice cream, punch and best of all presents. This year was mostly about Legos. Another tradition for him, since he has a summer birthday, is the giant water slide. He and his cousins Matthew and Knox had a great time on that. Happy 9th Birthday, Little Man Elijah!! You’re not so little anymore. We love you so very much and hope all your birthday wishes come true.

HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY, SARAH!

My sweet niece peep Sarah, one of my most favorite people on the planet and maybe in the entire universe, left her teenage years behind on July 13 and celebrated this milestone with cousins at Six Flags in Kentucky and then again this evening with pineapple upside down cake, ice cream, punch and assorted aunts, uncles, cousins, sister and parents who all love her dearly. Happy 20th, Sarah Catherine! Love you always.

Psalm 37

3Trust in the Lord and do good;

dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

4Take delight in the Lord,

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5Commit your way to the Lord;

trust in him and he will do this:

6He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,

your vindication like the noonday sun.

WHEN I’M SIXTY-FOUR

My hubby Neil celebrated his 64th birthday today. We partied with D.Q. Oreo Blizzard ice cream cake and yummy punch. Didn't make him blow out 64 candles. That might have been too much for the old guy to handle. Happy Birthday, Neil! You are my greatest blessing here on this earth. I love you always. And to answer that famous Beatles’ song’s questions: Yes, I still need you, and yes I’ll still feed you when you’re sixty-four.

62

I turned 62 years old today (February 3) with a little help from my family ~ here with my two grandsons Knox and Elijah. It was great fun and certainly helps make growing older worthwhile. Enjoyed the D.Q. Oreo Blizzard cake and homemade punch and all the laughter and chaotic craziness that make birthday parties special in my family. All the birthday wishes, cards and gifts made me feel loved and blessed which I am, not just today but every day of my 62 years. Love my life. Love my family. And off I go into my 63rd trip around the sun. 

Thrilled To Be Thirteen! Happy Birthday, Shelby!

Granddaughter Shelby turned 13 years old on Friday, July 18. She’s been looking forward to this day probably from the moment she turned 12 last year. It’s an exciting time for her, to say the least.

Today her family helped her celebrate this major milestone in her life with a birthday party at her house.

Her dad always lights her birthday candles.

We sang the Birthday Song and she blew them all out at once with some encouragement from her brother Elijah.

She served up yummy homemade punch.

Shelby made her own birthday cake this year ~ a red and blue Jell-O cake with whipped cream frosting. It was delicious!

She enjoyed opening her gifts. One of the things she requested was markers. She loves to make art.

She also received some stylin’ clothes from her Mimi and Papa Myers. And even got a gift of money from her brother from his own stash. She also got money from her great aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She didn’t expect to get a cardboard playhouse that she can decorate. This present cracked her up. Her grandpa couldn’t resist getting her one because she enjoys hanging out inside of her cousin Knox’s cardboard playhouse when she’s at his house. She mentioned that she’d like to have one for herself (better be careful what you wish for).

A girl can never have too many colors of nail polish ~ a gift from Aunt Kelly.

The great thing about a summer birthday is a giant water slide, and thanks to a generous mom and dad, this has become a birthday party tradition for both Shelby and Elijah.

All the kids (and big kid Holly) had a blast on this thing, especially since the rain finally stopped and the sun came out. More birthday fun than pint sized peeps should be allowed to have. What a fun party! It was great fun watching Shelby celebrate her 13th!

This is Shelby’s artwork on her bedroom door she created in honor of her own special day. She worked on this for days. I think it’s awesome. Shelby is an awesome young lady ~ a teenager! How can that possibly be?! Her grandpa and I love this sweet girl to pieces ~ so blessed to have her in our lives. Happy 13th Birthday, Shelby!! Hope all your birthday wishes and dreams come true!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NEIL !

My dear husband Neil celebrated his 63rd birthday today.

Neil always makes our homemade punch, even for his own birthday. Grandson Knox thought it would be fun to help. And it was.

Birthday Boy blew out all those candles, probably wishing he could retire tomorrow. It won’t be long now.

He’s a fine looking 63 year old, don’t you think?

Party People ~ Sarah, Kelly, Elijah, Julia, Birthday Guy, Knox, Shelby (hiding behind Holly) and Holly, and Jane was hiding at the other end of the table.

The ladies definitely outnumbered the gentlemen partiers tonight ~ from left: Shelby, Holly, Jane, Sarah, Kelly, and Julia ~ my gorgeous lady peeps.

Neil and Knox digging the cake, ice cream, and punch

Presents! We call birthday cards ‘flat presents’ because they [usually] contain a nice little goodie ~ and a lot of ‘ha-ha-you’re-older-than-dinosaurs humor.

Neil enjoyed his 63rd birthday festivities ~ and then it got rowdy. Always happens. Wouldn’t have it any other way. Happy Birthday, Neil! I love you always and forever! [Even if you are older than dinosaurs.]