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| Martin's birthday gift to Adelina: a driveway fit for backing out. Sort of. |
Saturday was the 4th time around the sun for Adelina Joan. And the day was not uneventful When 6 pm rolled around and we found ourselves still in the Carrefour with one of her gifts (that she chose) and the ingredients for her "cake" (homemade scones with pink frosting - her request), my baby girl said, "my birthday party is going to be so exciting isn't it, mommy?!", and I got a little misty eyed because that's not at all how I wanted the day to end. There was supposed to be a party with family and friends. A cake AND scones, for all the guests. Some other little savory foods. And maybe even a Vigil Mass for special blessings.
I did have to realize something though... as I resigned myself to the fact that getting the car up the driveway and out to the store was just not going to happen, and so neither was the party ( resignation which may or may not have come after I lost my cool and had to shut myself in my room for 10 min. while I railed against the entire country, the weather, the maker of the driveway, the car, the ineptitude of these so-called "winter tires" and my complete lack of self control in the face of adversity) I realized,...
...I was the only one who cared. Yes, kids like balloons, and streamers, and lots of people around to sing the birthday songs. And they enjoy the festivity in the air and the anticipation of presents. All of these things are wonderful and exciting and definitely worth it. But more than anything, they love the
special-ness of it all. And she dwelt in
that the whole day. Brothers who woke up early to make birthday signs and present them to her with hugs and "Happy Birthday's!" A special outing to Pizza Hut for Dinner and a day with "the whole family all together!" (as she likes to say). Scones and presents ( the party!). Bedtime blessings.
All throughout with whispers of "I love you, my big 4 year old girl, and I am so proud of you!" And her special little smile and an "I love you too, mommy" in return.
That's super cute - Happy Birthday Adelina!
ReplyDeleteMartin's going to need to practice his snow-shoveling skills once y'all move out to the country. There might be a little (lot) bit more to shovel out there to be able to get to the store. This is where a Quad makes *perfect* sense. ;)
If only that were snow! His snow shoveling skills are quite...solid...hehehehe...
DeleteComing from Texas, he must be an expert snow shoveler. Hope he's passing on some tricks to your neighbors :)
DeleteDid God give us children to help keep things in perspective? You are such a beautiful Mummy :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michelle.
DeleteI think to myself, quite often, that if it weren't for my children I would physically "free" and spiritually lost. Thank God for them.
Sounds like it was a wonderful birthday--and look at that precious face! So happy! You must be doing somethin' right ;)
ReplyDeleteAnd when I'm doing something wrong she lets me know...at decibel levels forbidden in most apartment complexes.
DeleteNo jaka pikna dziewczyna rosnie :)
ReplyDeleteEvery year on their birthdays I tell them the story of their births and no matter how old they get I never forget the details. This way when I am too old to remember, they can remember for me. :)
DeleteYou need to record those birth stories! That way they'll always have them--in your voice.
DeleteI am the one that cares too. First I have cared because of myself, it was hard not having family in USA and enjoying the special moments without the special people. Now when my children are older ( 12, 7, 2 ), I care for their feelings. Because they tell me... ( the older ones ) No matter how happy and satisfied they are with their birthdays, they know that they are missing something. They see those special relationships at their friends` homes. One of the things that my oldest said she wished for on New Year Eve, was to has our extended family here. I can`t change that...
ReplyDeleteOn the different note...it is my first time commenting here. But I have followed your blog for over a year now. It brings me back to the place where I grew up and went to school met my husband and got married. Then left...for Austin TX:), but end up in RI.
We are so fortunate to have family here in Poland. It would be much harder without any family nearby. As it is we have aunts and uncles and cousins. We miss our family and friends in the U.S. but the family we have here are also very special to us. Birthdays were always big deal for my family growing up. I want the same for my children. But sometimes I have to remember that the day is not for me, it's for them.
DeleteI'm glad you commented today, it's nice to hear from any and all people who stop by my blog. It's make the world seem much smaller...
As for a small world...you will be laughing. Your FIL is the main reason we are in USA. He became my future husband teacher at Polish University.
DeleteYour lovely MIL, was the first one to visit me and my baby in the hospital on Ash Wednasday in 2001. I still have the picture of her with an ash cross on her forehead, holding my little Kateri:)
Whenever you feel like it, stop at my recordings of daily life at http://kingamonika.blogspot.com
Btw, congratulations on becoming an auntie again:)
Dear Olivia
ReplyDeleteMy name is Meri and I work for the language portal http://bab.la.
True to our five year long tradition, we at bab.la Gmbh are hosting the IX-competition to find the 100 most exciting, inspiring, open-minded bloggers write about international exchange and experience. It would make us very happy if you decide to participate in "IX13" (International eXchange and eXperience 2013)
Please email me before 31st January 23.55 CET if you are interested in the competition under meri[at]bab.la ; and I will send you an email with more information about nomination and voting.
All the best!
Meri
Hi Olivia,
ReplyDeleteBecause of recent activity on my blog I was not comfortable responding to you there with my email but I would absolutely love to talk to you about your questions. My email is fourloraines@yahoo.com. Feel free to contact me any time :).
Erin
It's truly very complicated in this busy life to listen news on Television, so I only use internet for that purpose, and take the most up-to-date information.
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