My Birthday Celebration

Mother's Day for me was disappointing. I didn't get a card, and no one (in my house) said Happy Mother's Day. Mark did say Happy Mother's Day on Saturday?? And, I bought myself a purse and told Mark I was going to consider it a Mother's Day gift. Ryan was mad at me, so he didn't say anything about Mother's Day.  It would have been nice just to hear "I appreciate all you do." sigh

I got the sweetest text from Andrew though. It made me feel wonderful. It said Happy Mother's Day Mom. You are very special to me and I love you very much. Thanks for everything you do for me on a daily basis. I hope your day is special. Love, Andrew
Isn't that the sweetest thing.

And I got a very special text from Jess too. It said Happy Mother's Day Susan! I love you lots! I really hope you have had a great one.  This really really touched my heart. Jess is so precious to me. She is not even my daughter, but was thinking of me. How sweet is that?!!


My birthday was on Tuesday and I didn't even want to celebrate. I didn't want to think about it. I felt content just to not worry if nothing was said. But, it ended up being much better. Mark got me the sweetest card!! (And money) I got the sweetest text messages. 
Nikki sent me the sweetest video of Haley saying Happy Birthday. It was so cute and funny when she asked Mason to, he turned his back and hung his head. LOLOL He was too shy.

It thrilled my heart to hear this. What a treasure!!!
Ryan told me Happy Birthday AND washed the dishes for me that night. It was wonderful. See, it's not about the gifts (although that is wonderful). It is about being shown that you are loved.

Andrew asked me to come down Wednesday to celebrate my birthday with them. I let Ryan stay off from school and go with me. He drove and it was so nice.

He did great and I loved having him with me.

When we got there they were all telling me Happy Birthday!
Oh my goodness!! They spoil me to death! Nikki, Haley, and Mason made me a birthday poster, and Nikki bought me beautiful flowers!!!

Haley sang Happy Birthday to me several times.

I loved it!!! 

Nikki let Haley help make delicious cupcakes for me too.

She and Mason licked the spoon. :)

They were so very delicious!!

They ere chocolate/peanut butter. Nikki knows what I love. She also fixed a fabulous meal for me. It was New York strip steak, green beans, corn on the cob, and my favorite spiced baked potatoes. It was out of this world. Nikki worked hard to make it very special for me and I was overwhelmed. It was the best.  

They also spoiled me with wonderful gifts.

They got me a Samsung Galaxy Tab3. Wow!!! I don't even feel worthy to have such a gift. It was honestly hard to get excited about it at first because it felt like too much.I am not used to being pampered like that and it was unreal. They are so, so good to me. It made me feel so loved. They also got me a necklace from New Mexico (from their cruise). It was the best birthday celebration I have ever had.

Ryan and I had a great time with the babies too.  Those sweet little ones love him.

  

While Andrew and Ryan went to the store, Nikki, the kids, and I went out for them to play in the pool. They had so much fun.

After awhile, it got cold because the wind was blowing. Haley got out and rode the tricycle, and Mason played with the ball.

Mason also loves to push and pull the wagon.

When Ryan came back, he pulled Ryan in the wagon.

We had such an enjoyable day with them. On the way home that night, it rained very hard. Several people had pulled to the side of the road. It made me so thankful Ryan was with me and we made it home safely.

Thursday I worked cleaning the house and Ryan and I went to change the church sign after I picked him up from school.

 Friday I did a lot of grocery shopping. I also went to Martha's a while and Jared played the piano for me. Ahhhhhh it was wonderful! 

That afternoon I picked up Ryan from school and took him home. It had been raining off and on all day, but there was a break. He was going to try to get the yard mowed. I went to shop for Sunday School supplies. The riding mower Ryan got from Papaw Sha wouldn't start so he needed my car to jump off the mower. He had to wait till I got back. During that time it came a downpour. It stopped raining by the time I got back so he went ahead and mowed.

Surprisingly, it looked really good when he finished even though it was wet.

That night, Martha fixed supper for us. She fixed a Soutwestern Chicken Soup that was to die for.  We even had a bowl of leftovers.

She gave us Fritos to go on it and we put Mexican cheese on it too. It was so delicious. Oh, and she fixed yummy chocolate brownies. This has been the best birthday!!! :)

Today (Saturday) Mark went to the movies with Tim and Ryan spent the day at Nana and Papaw's. I washed, folded clothes, gave Cruzier a bath, cleaned the bathroom and bathroom floor, vacuumed, colored my hair, and ironed. I still have to finish my Sunday School craft for tomorrow. I have gotten a lot accomplished today and I am so thankful.

In other news.....the other day Nikki sent me a picture Haley drew on her Ipad.  

Haley is at the top of the slide and she is saying hi to Nikki standing beside her. That is a swing on the right beside Nikki. She amazes me how well she draws at just three years old.

Jared drew a picture for Martha for Mother's Day.

You can't see well in the picture, but the detail of the water coming over the rocks, the tree bark, and even the bridge is amazing. Looks like we have two artists in the family.

Ok, I am off here to finish my work. Hope you all have a safe night and blessed day tomorrow.  Till next time....

Spending A Week With The Grands

Last week Andrew and Nikki went on a cruise to New Mexico. I went to their house and stayed with Haley and Mason all week. Although I have probably never worked so hard in my life, I still had a blast. I hope I never forget how Mason sang with me as I rocked him, or Haley putting her little face right in front of mine to say, "you are the best!" as I read her books. And no, everything wasn't happy all the time. I dealt with meltdowns, naughtiness, and frustration at times. But, the love that spilled over in my heart was undescribable. 

I gave them lots of baths.

They both love taking a bath, and I am so glad. They never once complained about it. Haley loves letting the water run over her head.

 I told her to let all of her hair go over her face and I would show her what a hairy monster looked like. I took her pic to show her.

Haha!
Mason was happy and content to pour water from one container to another.

When it was time to wash him, he would get really mad, especially if I had to wash his hair. He was usually ready for bed as soon as he got out. Taking a bath made him sleepy.

Several days I took them outside to play.

I made Haley a flower headband.

She loved it, and the next time we played outside, she started picking flowers for me to make her another one.

Usually Haley rode the tricycle and Mason sat on the bicycle while I guided him holding the handlebar. I just had to stand on one side of him and hold the handlebar. It rode so smoothly and didn't hurt my back.

I didn't get a pic, but Mason loved pulling and pushig the wagon around the garage. 

Some evenings I let them ride on the front porch while I sat on the steps and relaxed (NOT!) Hahaha. I had to make sure Mason wasn't getting the rocks out of the planter or trying to jump off the steps. I also had to make sure Haley didn't ride her tricycle down the steps. Really tho, I enjoyed watching them play. Haley kept saying, "thank you for bring us out to play." She is so sweet and thoughtful.

There were priceless moments that thrilled my heart.

We also played with the playdough, and Mason didn't put it in his mouth. (yay!)  Haley made a mermaid.

I thought it was an amazing job for a three year old.

Nikki had left a note and surprise for Haley when she was a good girl. It was paint and suncatchers. In the evening after supper (when I remembered) she painted. Nikki drew Haley a picture of them because Haley loves drawings.

Haley was thrilled with it and hugged it to her.

Isn't that just the sweetest thing!?

One day I decided to steam mop the floors. Haley helped too.

The day I cleaned her room, she kept me entertained by dancing on her desk to the music on her CD player.

At night time, after getting them to sleep, I would fall into bed exhausted. I usually slept wonderful and even better than I slept at home. Andrew and Nikki just bought a new mattress and it is the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in. 

In the early morning hours, Haley would usually come to my (their) bed and go back to sleep. Most of the time I hardly roused. I got up before they did because Ryan would call me before he went to school and  I didn't want to wake them. It was so sweet to see them sleeping.

If only Ryan had been able to stay too, everything would have been so much better. It was really hard being away from him, and he didn't like it either. I was so anxious to get back home at the end of the week. He really missed me, and it made me feel good. Maybe I am doing some things right as a mom. :) Ryan doesn't show a lot of affection, so I was surprised that he missed me. I love him more than words can say!! He is still my baby boy. ;) (don't tell him, tho)  

This week Ryan had two end of the course tests on Monday and Tuesday. He asked if he could stay out of school since he didn't have anything important. I told him if he would help me work. So, today we borrowed Papaw Sha's truck and got mulch for the landscaping. We worked and worked and were so tired. I weeded and he mulched. I am so happy with all we accomplished but there is still a lot I want to do. Mark came home from work and said it looked so good. :)

Ok, I am off here to wash the dishes. I have been consistant in getting my dishes washed every night. Yay! It feels so good to get up to a clean kitchen in the morning. I hope you all have a safe, wonderful night, and a blessed day tomorrow.