Minecraft/Hello Kitty Birthday Extravaganza and other Associated Celebrations...

Finally!  I am finally sitting down to get this recap out!!  But, I have had two little minions' birthdays in the past 6 weeks!  :)  This year I decided to do a joint birthday party for my 3 and 6 year olds. Enjoy my memories from this special day!

This picture says it all for my Connor...I think he thoroughly enjoyed it!

And, Lindsay Jane...pure joy.  Makes a mama's heart so so glad.

And now for my decor...and mind you, the locale of this event changed 72 hours before it happened, going from all outside at Kay's farm with a pond for fishing and canoeing and all other kid things outdoors...to an inside gym (thank goodness for our Daycare, Learning Tots Academy, who rescued me!).

This was supposed to be the party favor table...I didn't get a chance to write a little sign indicating that...so, the treats were enjoyed during the party.  Please notice the white notebook framed picture to the right of the creeper...Landon made that to help decorate.  So sweet.

Close ups of the goodies.

Connor's birthday cake (made by me!) and picture with decorations.

And Lindsay Jane's cake (made by Janise!) and her little picture and Hello Kitty delights.

Our center table.  ;)

One of my many helpers! Janise's mom was all in.  She is amazing!  I could not have set it all up without the lovely crew of ladies who helped me!

And this rascal!  She drove all the way from Charlotte and got their early to help...here, she was mixing pink lemonade, Lindsay Jane's request...I still just smile when I think of seeing her as I pulled up to the gym.  What a treasure.

And, what would I have done without Janise?  Man, look at that cake!  I do have to say, the time spent doing these together was even more special than the cakes!  Sure does take a village...and Pinterest, huh?

Drink table...

Minecraft crafts...

Hello Kitty crafts....

More set up pictures...

Cake close ups!

Creeper Toss.  Bean bags made by Helen Matyas, Janise's mom, the day before the party!  So so wonderful!

More decor...

Kay also did so so much behind the scenes...she was in total GO mode once the location changed and was even buying a helium tank after dark Thursday night!  She rounded up a treasure chest with accompanying treasures, brought most of the tables that were at the party, borrowed a beautiful lemonade dispenser...and worked hard to help set everything up just right!!

This is the whole set up crew!  I could not have done this without them!  All 6 of us and it took the whole 1.5 hours we were there and I still didn't get to write that little note about the party favor table! :) I didn't get an individual picture of Ryan because she was the one who tirelessly used that helium tank to blow up ALL of the balloons!  What a trooper!  Thank you beautiful ladies, SO SO MUCH!

The reward was so great.  Look at my boy....

And my sweet girl...

We had to get one with Janise, the awesome cake maker!!!

We even had "cootie catchers..."  remember?  They were Minecraft themed.  :)

Love the concentration here on this pixilation Minecraft craft.  The kids loved it!

More Hello Kitty making!

Two precious smiles from Connor, my little artist.

Silly boys!

Awesome spider Sophia!!

Um....party favors anyone???  BUSTED!

The good thing about having it in the Daycare's gym?  There were extra toys to ride around in!! The kids loved these little cars!

Gyms are also big enough for bouncy houses...

Creeper Toss!!!

Another random toy at the Gym...that proved to be entertaining!

My sweet birthday girl and her puppy...

And, "her Henry".  Lindsay Jane talks about this little boy all the time!  He goes to Daycare with her and apparently, they are inseparable.  The look out for each other and are just "thick as thieves."

Watch out, little Henry!!!!!!!!!

Kay's awesome treasure chest!  We had planned a scavenger hunt for outside...but this was awesome! The kids loved it!  It was extra special because the chest was actually Stan's grandmother's.  :)

Nanny and the birthday girl!

Digging for treasures!

Showing off those treasures!!!

Party Parents...

Sweet Kerri playing with LJ and stopping for a quick pose with mama.  What a special friend this one is.  She has helped us so many times with this kids, both she and her little mini me, Aireana. My kids have so many wonderful adopted aunts! 

Speaking of!!!!

Terrific smile from the big brother!!!

Yates trying to float away...

More adopted aunts for my kids!  Tori and Katie take every opportunity to hug and love on my kids. What precious friends these ladies are!  And, Katie was the master photographer behind most of these pictures!!!  Thank you thank you!!

Sweet hugs from LJ. I can promise you neither of them minded...

My crazy neighbors!

I adore this picture...look at sweet Connor's face!

The other angle...look at sweet LJ!

Such a special celebration!

Great job Connor!  I think Emelia wanted to help!

Yummy!

Caught with Mr. Henry again...Ahemmmm.

And, Katie even took a little extra time to doctor this one up a little...super duper cute.

Mike sporting the little chair...awesome, as always.

Precious friends.

More fun with random gym toys and Zaiya!!

LJ had to get a squeeze from her Tahti!

And, yes, another one from mama.  :)

All the kids!

All the kids being crazy!

A great picture of my dear dear Allison and I.  Don't know what  I would do without her...

The Cole side of the family!  Great showing!  :)

Some birthday present opening...always a kid favorite!

More opening at home...what fun!

Back track a couple of weeks....

Lindsay Jane got her wish for her 3rd birthday.  Just she and I went to the zoo!

We had just the best time together.  I am treasuring every single moment with this little girl.

Then, we headed home, picked up the boys and had some outdoor fun...

Don't you just love it!!!  The joy!

Lindsay Jane got an Elsa scooter, complete with bells and whistles... (thanks for the convincing aunt Kerri- it has been a huge hit!!!)

And, she's off!

Looking too grown up!

Getting creative!

Cupcake time!

Could not love her more!

Happy times, indeed.

Sweet daddy had to get a picture too!

How we love this little munchkin.

I think JD was pleased it was Lindsay Jane's birthday!

As was Rachel...

And...Connor and Anna!

And sweet Parker!

Happy 3rd birthday little girl.  You are loved...

And this...is how she went to bed.  Her first night as a 3 year old, in an Anna and Elsa gown on her Anna and Elsa scooter.  Sweet little girls.  Oh my.

Next stop....this guy's 6th Birthday!!!

Lots of smiles for Pokemon cards this year!!!

Landon was a little jealous, but he held it together...after all, his birthday is in 2 short months!! 

These two.  They love and hate each other at the same time.  As I write this, Landon is actually teaching Connor sight words...wonderful things do happen between brothers...

His own Rainbow loom!

Lindsay Jane and daddy talking cake...

Connor showing the Pokemon drawing book he got.

Everyone was very interested...

Smile, say cheese, then you will get cake...me, bribe my children to smile???

Me and my babies.

 Checking out the goods...

Just being their cute selves...

And one final closing picture.  Stan, Lindsay Jane and I took cupcakes to Connor's class on his birthday!  It was so sweet.  I think every little girl in the class hugged him good bye!

So, that's it!  If you are still reading, bless you.  It has been a crazy 6 weeks, but I never regret sitting down and reflecting on all of my blessings.  It is amazing the help that can do to your psyche.  I never get tired of thanking God for the gift of my three precious children and husband.  Celebrating their birthdays each year is something I treasure.  Thank you God for these precious gifts and the freedom to enjoy them the way that I do.

Enjoying the Journey

Lately I have been reflecting on this desire of mine for perfection, for excellence in all things. Certainly a known weakness, this trait is not entirely bad.  As I sat, reading a book about being unhurried in this life, I paused to think...is it wrong to strive for excellence?  How is striving for perfection or excellence different from living a hurried life?

"Hurry rushes towards the destination and fails to enjoy the journey" - Alan Falding

Well, then.  I have certainly had difficulty enjoying the journey lately...largely related to my busyness in my striving...  The things keeping me busy are mostly necessary or of value...or are they?

Working part time in this hurried culture is a flat out joke.  They want (and require) far more than my 20 hours.

Those extra hours bleed into my hours to complete grocery shopping, cooking, doing laundry, cleaning dishes and assuring my kids have proper fitting clothes for each new season.

Then there is my health.  I have to sleep.  I strive to exercise and set a good example for my kids with doing so.  I do have to eat.

Homework, bath time, bed time, getting kids to and from school, required volunteer hours at school, check ups, wellness visits, follow ups, meetings at school, I am sure I missed something...like feeding them...oh, and then there are the giant birthday parties I like to throw...

Church. Serving in the church. Spending time with God.

Marriage? Actually spending time enjoying my kids?  Toilets? Changing the linens?  Extended family? Friends?

Quiet space? Only between the hours of 11pm and 5am reliably...

What I have started thinking about is this: How can I still do all of these things AND enjoy the journey.  How can I stop the hurry?  I think, especially, when it is not just me that I am corralling...

Was Jesus in a hurry?  Nope.  I was struck when the book I just started reading mentioned the story of Lazarus and Mary and Martha.  Jesus was in no hurry to get to their house and Lazarus died on his way!  But, he had the blessing of knowing God's plan and the miracle he would perform in bringing Lazarus back from the dead.  He knew God's bigger plan.  And...guess what, so do I.  I know that he works all things out for his glory and our good...so why do I so often question?  Why is it so hard for me to just trust the process, just enjoy the journey?

I am not anywhere near as patient, kind, knowledgeable, etc., etc, etc. as Jesus was on earth or is now...but I can certainly learn from his example and stop striving just to strive.  It is very addictive. The fast paced technological world we live in does not help.  Instant gratification is everywhere. And, I am the worst offender.  I want my emails and texts answered immediately.  I worry if they are not and begin a viscous cycle of "hurry worry".  Hurry worry is the worst.  It leads no where and is just like a snowball plowing down a hill never to stop until it crashes into something and explodes!

I do believe that striving for excellence in raising my children, growing my marriage, serving the Lord and serving the children under my care as an NP is not a bad thing.  I believe balance is hard and not easily attained at this stage in my life.  And that is ok.  I also believe that hurry can steal my joy in the journey and I look forward to discovering some biblical truths to help me slow the pace.  I don't want to miss the scenery along the way.

Today I sat with my sweet Lindsay Jane, she in her Frozen pajamas, baby in her little carrier right next to her, popcorn and m and m's in the bowl in her lap.  I donned my Eeor fussy pajama pants as she leaned her precious head on my shoulder and we watched Cinderella together...with my cell phone put away and silenced.  I sure enjoyed that part of my journey.  And the truth is, I have enjoyed many times like that in my journey thus far with my kids and with Stan.  And am planning many more.