You only live once! [25th birthday!]

So... I didn't have high expecations for my birthday. Not that I wasn't excited and didn't think I'd have a good day- but I couldn't decide (up till the morning of) what I wanted to do. We were planning a beach trip and the money set aside for that, we agreed to put toward rescuing our new addition, our Chi-weenie Bentley. It's something I believe in, something he supported and I was happy to post-pone the beach (giving myself more time to get beach-ready anyway) for our little pound puppy. He came from a bad environment and then spent 7 months in an animal shelter. No joke. So a week before he was to be put down, we took him home and made him part of our family. Our dogs love him, kids love him and he fits right in. He's skiddish because of what he's been through, but I can hardly blame him for that. It's been a few weeks and he's finally getting over it. He no longer runs and hides from me when I go to pick him up- and he is playing/snuggling with our other furbabies.

Anyway... up until this happened I was planning to go to Corpus Christi for my birthday. Just a small family get-a-way. So I looked into the zoo, shopping, sea world, stuff to do around the area. Nothing sounded like something I absolutely HAD to do on the day I got to do whatever I wanted. The night before googled the zoo we'd decided on and changed my mind... waking up on my birthday with no plan. We started heading to Austin, where I ended up mentioning I was curious about the Inner Space Cavern... hubby pulled off and we went.SO MUCH FUN!

Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone.

My day started like this:

My son woke up before my daughter, which is semi-unusual this late in the week. I was going to throw together some chocolate chip muffins (the betty crocker from the packet version) since I'm in a bit of a hurry today. He sweetly asked if he could help and then it occured to me that he could actually do them on his own as long as I measured for him. So I put the 1/2 c. water on the counter with a small bowl and the muffin mix. He added them together, stirred them up pretty well and I gave him a measuring cup and a baking pan. While he was stirring...

K- "Mom, is tomorrow your birthday?"
Me- "yes, baby. How'd you remember that?"
K- "Well, I'm so excited that I'm going to SCREAM!"
Me- "Why's that? haha. You know it's MY birthday, right?"
K- "Because, mom. I love you. You take care of me and do everything for me. And you protect me. So I'm excited about you."


Oh. My. Goodness. It's a miracle I didn't break into tears right then and there. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't struggled lately. They're 3 and 4.. but I spend 363 days out of a year feeling like the things I do are not appreciated. And that's okay, because part of being a good mom is not NEEDING recognition for the things you do. I do them because I love my family, and because that's my job. God blessed me with beautiful kids and a wonderful man, I'm happy to take care of them. However, it is VERY nice to feel like the effort you put into making sure they have food they enjoy eating and that their favorite clothes are always clean don't go unnoticed. That they know that those things don't just appear and that it required thought, planning and time that you give of your own free will. I am happy to accept those 363 days.. but this one (or two days) of him just taking the time to say "Mommy, I know what you do for me. And I am overwhelmed with love, and I am grateful for you" is hands down THE best birthday present I ever could've asked for. It makes me feel hopeful that I am raising a boy who will make me even more proud as a loving, appreciative, respectful, God-loving man. My little girl thanks me constantly. I pick up dirty laundry off her floor and she runs in there with a grin on her face and sparkles in her eyes saying "Thank you for cleaning my room, mommy." They're both really good about food (especially when they help prepare it). I usually hear something like "Mommy... you are the BEST cooker ever!"

I am blessed beyond measure. When a day starts like this one... it is impossible that it will not be a great one.

Hope everyone enjoys their long weekend. Hubby is off for my birthday tomorrow, we are hunting for Easter eggs on Saturday and Sunday will be the grilling/water fun. Cannot WAIT!