Mommy's Birthday

I turned 24 today. Mid-twenties. Very strange to consider.

It might be motherhood, or a shift in priorities, or just terrible memory, but I haven't been able to keep track of the days lately. This morning it took until I was reaching into the fridge to pull out N's milk before I realized that it was my birthday.

Last year I made this cake for my birthday ------->

Because I share a birthday with the late great Dr. Seuss, I went with a Seussical cake. We brought it to Uncle L's house and showed off my newly learned made decorating skillz.

This year, Uncle L bought a cake a surprised us with it on Sunday. As we have left-overs, I'm not decorating a new cake.

Usually my birthday has me feeling very entitled and lavish, as though I want and deserve more, always. I remember my 21st birthday and how many people canceled or didn't show. I remember feeling like my friends should rearrange their schedules and shouldn't get sick because it's my birthday, after all. Oh, not that I really blamed those who weren't feeling well.

This year, I have been continually reminded of the blessings in my life. I have a loving and supportive husband, a clean house that I really do consider a home, and the two most well-behaved, loving, adorable little boys a mother could ask for. I have friends and family who love me and who I love. Our cats are well-behaved, clean and quiet. We're beginning to develop a community at church. We have a modest but steady income, and somehow even in the worst of times, we manage to get bills paid. Our car works.

As I type this, I have a cat purring on my lap. T is smiling while he naps in his bouncer. N is napping in his crib (he went down with only one cry for me, and that was because I was on the phone-sorry, love!). I can smell beef shortribs cooking in the oven. Cucumber salad is marinating in the refrigerator. And, on top of all that, I have time to sit here and type up this reflection.

I've been particularly influenced by this Proverb lately:

"The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands." -Proverbs 14:1

Lord, guide me in my quest to be a wise woman. Teach me to build my house on Your solid foundation, and help me in my struggles not to tear it down. When I stray from the righteous path, help me, God, to find my way back. Keep me forever in Your sight.