Definitely a Happy Birthday!

Last week I turned 33. Wow! Already?? Time flies when you're having fun. --Either that or my memory isn't what it used to be.

My boys and many others made sure it really was a Happy Birthday. Nathan had to leave early for work, but Liam had planned on making me breakfast in bed. It wasn't in bed, but Liam pulled out the eggo waffles and toaster and made me and his brothers each a waffle with syrup. He also got Caleb some yogurt and insisted on pouring me a bowl of cereal as well. Daniel woke up in time to make everyone hot cocoa, and made sure mine was in the 'mom mug' he gave me for Christmas. Boy, am I spoiled!

During breakfast we read the story of Ruth and Naomi. Daniel said that Heavenly Father blessed me for my birthday to read a girl scripture story.

On our way to school we found that someone (MaryAnn-the best visiting teacher ever) had left a birthday banner on the fence (she also offered to watch the boys for me so Nathan and I can go to the temple). After taking Daniel to school, Caleb and I went with Liam for his preschool Valentines party. The kids had fun making pizza and cupcakes. The preschool sang to me. Then they each passed out their Valentines. Liam and Caleb had fun. When we got home Liam asked, "Where are your presents, Mom? It's your birthday, you're supposed to get presents!" I assured him that making breakfast was a nice present and that Daddy would give me a present when he got home from work. But apparently Liam thought that wasn't enough. A minute later he collected his Valentines candy and brought it over to me and told me that the candy could be my present. How sweet! I told him he could keep his candy, but I would like a Liam hug.

Later that afternoon our bishop called to wish me a Happy Birthday. He calls everyone in our ward for their birthday. What an amazing guy. I know it was just a couple of minutes in conversation, but that is a huge commitment when you consider the time it takes on a daily basis. I guess it's the little things that really show you that someone cares.

I was totally surprised to receive a generous gift card to Chili's from a woman in my ward. She just said she wanted a young couple to have a chance to go out. I was so touched. I hope to one day pay it forward. So for my birthday dinner we went to Chili's! No cooking or cleaning up--that is a huge gift. Plus the food was really yummy.

For my birthday Nathan totally surprised me with a kindle. I love reading and with our trip to Utah around the corner it was very timely. He also included some great books. As if that wasn't enough, Nathan also got me the Mario Brothers game. Laugh if you must, but I always wanted it as a kid. It was the one thing that my parents told us they would never get us. (I've tried playing and I'm really terrible at it. But it is fun in a silly kind of way.)

With Nathan's late work nights, we didn't have time to make our traditional cutout cake before leaving for Utah (besides our neighbor Jean brought over cupcakes). Nathan might have thought he'd escaped, but I informed him that we would continue to celebrate my birthday until he made it.;) He did come through in the end with a Mario cake!

I am horrible at remembering other people's birthdays, so I felt a little embarrassed but blessed to have so many friends this year go out of their way to send cards etc. You are all so sweet. Thank you. My birthday was wonderful!

"And it came to pass!"

About a year or so ago, Nathan and I decided to get the Living Scripture movies. They cost way too much, but I really felt like we needed to do something to better keep the Sabbath day holy. So now every Sunday the boys pick out their favorite scripture movies or movies done by the Church, to set the tone before we go to church. They have their favorites. Daniel loves Daniel in the Lions Den of course, also Elijah, Nephi, Jesus in America, and King Solomon. Liam also likes Elijah. Since his middle name is Joseph, he often picks Joseph in Egypt. He also like the parable about the lost sheep. Caleb seems to like most of them, but he actually picks the Christmas movie Joy to the World most of the time (the nativity with the Motabs plus the part that covers the signs of Christ's birth in America). Every time baby Jesus is shown Caleb says, "Oh, baby Jesus, so sweet."

I've always read scripture stories with my boys during breakfast, but I waited to require 'real' scripture reading, because I was worried that Daniel would decide that he didn't like the scriptures or reading. (I'm such a worry wart sometimes!) But just recently I decided it was time for the real thing. We still read scripture stories at breakfast, but now we take turns reading verses from the Book of Mormon at night. Almost immediately I noticed a big difference in Daniel's reading skills--I guess the Lord was blessing us for just trying. We don't read a lot. Usually just 10-12 verses. Daniel usually reads 2, then Liam and Caleb each get their turn. Since they don't read yet, they repeat the words that we tell them. Just a few weeks into this new routine, Caleb climbed up on my lap for his turn and announced, before I told him what it said, "Came to pass..." This kid already has some scripture memorized! Not bad for a 2-year-old! Now every time he starts his turn, he precursers it with, "came to pass". Often times that is exactly what it reads. Hopefully, this routine will stay with these boys forever.

With this exposure, I am amazed at how many scripture stories my boys know. The other night in family home evening we mentioned King Saul and Liam said, "Heavenly Father changed Saul's name to Paul". Now, I know that is a different Saul, but I'm pretty sure if you'd asked me who either Saul was when I was 4 or much older, that I wouldn't have had a clue. These boys amaze me. While watching the Elijah movie, Daniel told me that he'd been telling his school friends Nicolos and Nathan about Heavenly Father and Jesus because he wants them to know about the gospel. Obviously, the Lord sent these boys to me to teach me. Hopefully I'm not holding them back.