The Most Special Gifts

My birthday is New Years Day. I turned 32 and I have to say, this has been the best birthday year to date. I had my fabulous wine tasting the week before, and New Years Eve was spent at home with Mike and the kids. We did our favorite thing, back yard BBQ, and early to bed. New Years day Mike asked what I wanted to do and my one request was the movies. We went to see This Is 40, which I loved, at 10 30 in the morning while my mil watched the kids.

We were home in time for the kids to take a nap, which meant Mike and I got to be lazy, then we went out to Mexican food for dinner. My mother in law made a cake for me, because she loves me- but also because the kids were soooo excited to sing happy birthday. When we got home from dinner Max and Ella insisted I give them wrapping paper and tape. I cut out big squares of paper and they raced to their rooms where they spent 15 minutes at work. At one point Ella ran out and said, "Mom, do you think I can ask Santa for tape next Christmas?" Poor girl, I never let her use tape because they go through it so fast. That night I let her use the whole thing.

After they sang to me and helped blow out candles, I opened presents. Cue the cutest moment ever...Maxwell had wrapped up his treasured plastic tool set for me. Ella snuck in my closet and wrapped my favorite old flip flops and a belt. And Mike gave me an iPad for Christmas/Birthday! How sweet is that? It was a perfect birthday. And it just keeps going. On Sunday I went to lunch with girlfriends, we do an annual December/January celebration for a few of our birthdays. This Wed I get to have dinner with my friend Crystal. I'm telling you- best birthday ever :)

 

 

 

Happy Birthday

Mike,
I always love you, but lately, I really love you. Thanks for making life good for our family. Some of my favorite things you do:

- When you start the water for Maxwell when he insists on 6 am showers
- When you balance the checkbook and do other scary adult things for me
- When I hear you brag to friends about our older kids
- When you take me on golf dates, "A happy life is a happy wife"
- When you play catch with the kids
- When you take the kids to work with you
- When you BBQ the best dinners for us
- When you tell me I'm beautiful, even when I don't feel it
- When you tell me and anyone who will listen that all you really care about is us, your family

Happy Birthday handsome.
 ~Meg

Um, hello Top Gun

Play Structure!!!

We gave Maxwell and Ella the mother of birthday gifts...a Costco play structure! It's no secret this gift is as much for me as it is for them. I have a park in my backyard! Thank you to all the Grandparents and friends who contributed as well. The house went up the day before their big birthday hoe down. We are blessed to have great friends who came over to help.

Meanwhile inside...Maxwell helped me get ready for the party by lining up the party favor hats over and over. And over and over.

Construction out back...

...ALL day long...

...until finally it was ready!

Isn't it amazing? Come over and play!

Deb's Birthday

Photo Overload

3 Posts In 1...

Slip N Slide.
A lot more slippin' than sliddin'. 

Beach day with Nonni.

Grandma Judie's Birthday BBQ.

Uncle Dan, Mike's brother

Meg x 2

Maxwell with the big kids out front.

Cousins. Ella with Charli.

Helping Grandma blow out the candles.

Hillbilly BBQ.

Ella savoring each bite of cake.

I keep trying to buy Maxwell a new hat. But he only wants Daddy's hat- Daddy's old, stinky hat.

Date Night.
We went to dinner than to a class reunion BBQ of Mike's.

I can never refuse a good hoop.

Old friends.

For Judie

Wanted: Mother in law

Who loves me unconditionally. Who encourages and supports her son. Who cherishes every detail about her grandchildren. Who is completely involved in our lives, but respects our privacy and parenting decisions. Who laughs with me and makes me feel special. So special. Who affirms me and really makes me believe I am a good wife and mother. Who I don't have to try to love. Who is my friend.

If I had to write an add for my ideal mother in law, this is what I'd write. And guess what? I got her. Thank you Judie. For everything. We love you. Happy Birthday!!!

24

Maegann turned 20 last week and Maxwell and Ella LOVED singing to their 'Mae Mi'. Today Michael turns 24...happy birthday Michael! We wish we could give you hugs in person. Love you.

 

My Two Are TWO!

I'm in the middle of writing you your birthday letters, but I've been interrupted 20 times. So for now, Happy Birthday sweet ones. In a nutshell, you make us happy. So, so, happy. I can't believe you are two years old today. As I'm typing this you are yelling each others names across the hall through your closed doors. I'm not sure nap time is going to happen. In a couple of minutes the bounce house will be delivered. We're surprising you with a bounce house for two days! Tomorrow your friends and family will be here to celebrate with you. Soak up all the love- you two are adored.

To Dad

 

Dad,

Just a note to say happy birthday. And thank you. I know that no matter what, I am 100%, unconditionally loved by you. There has never been a time that I've doubted that you're there for me. Thank you for that. I love watching you with Maxwell and Ella. I know that they will grow up feeling that same love.

Happy birthday old man. We love you.

~meg

Birthday Brunch

Yesterday I went to brunch to celebrate Claudette's birthday with some of my favorite ladies. The weather was PERFECT. I love living by the beach. We had yummy food, bottomless mimosas, and beautiful sunshine. It was the kind of day that was just right.

Happy birthday to my beautiful friend Claudette. I LOVE you and appreciate how much you do for my family. You're the best!

Thank you Grandma Judie for staying with Maxwell and Ella so I could have a girls day! I enjoyed every minute. Mike's been working a LOT and was working again yesterday. Thanks Mike for working so hard while I got to play.

For Mom

Mom,
You'd think the older I get the more independent I'd become. Not the case. Ever year I need you more, appreciate you more, maybe even understand you more. Today is your birthday...happy birthday! Know that you are sooooo loved!

I'm not a huge Natalie Merchant fan, but the past couple months I've been hearing a slower acoustic version of this song. And every time I think of you-completely. Today I dedicate this song to you. Thank you.
~meg

weird video...but just listen to the song :)

 

Natalie Merchant

"Kind and Generous"

You've been so kind and generous

I don't know how you keep on giving

For your kindness I'm in debt to you

For your selflessness, my admiration

And for everything you've done

You know I'm bound...

I'm bound to thank you for it

You've been so kind and generous

I don't know how you keep on giving

For your kindness I'm in debt to you

And I never could have come this far without you

So for everything you've done

You know I'm bound...

I'm bound to thank you for it

I want to thank you

For so many gifts

You gave with love and tenderness

I want to thank you

I want to thank you

For your generosity

The love and the honesty

That you gave me

I want to thank you

Show my gratitude

My love and my respect for you

I want to thank you

I want to...

Thank you

Thank you

Thank you

Thank you

Thank you

Thank you

30, Flirty, and Thriving

Have you guys seen 13 Going on 30? Jennifer Garner's character is a 13 year old girl who on her birthday wishes to be '30, flirty and thriving.' That line always makes me laugh. My step kids asked me on Christmas how I feel about turning 30. I think I'm officially grown up, because really, it just feels like another number. I feel satisfied that I accomplished many of my goals: I completed my Masters Degree and counseling credential. I have a rewarding career that I'll return to at some point. I am blessed with a beautiful family. My life is full. We also laughed when I reminded them that by marrying their father, I'll always feel young. Or younger.

I turned 30 New Years Day. NYE Mike and I went out for dinner and drinks with some of our favorite friend's, Crystal and Andy. We spent New Year's day with a few friend's and family at my parents house (thanks Mom, Dad and Judie!). Although most of my time is spent with my babies building train tracks with applesauce in my hair, I'd still say I feel '30, flirty, and thriving.' I don't know how I'll feel about 40, but 30 is just fine.

Happy Birthday Handsome

Mike,
You've worked really hard for us this year. I wish I could give you something amazing like a trip here...

Or your dream fishing boat...

Or maybe a cool old El Camino that you could fix up...

But as you tell me, someday we'll have these things if we still want them. For now, thanks for being as happy with this life as I am. We appreciate you. We love you. Happy Birthday!

~Meg