Our Five Ring Circus: They Aren't What They Used To Be

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

They Aren't What They Used To Be

Celebrating my birthday is a lot different that it used to be!  The day was just like any other day.  There were diapers to change, messes to clean, kids to take care of, and things that had to be done. 

I really wasn't in the celebrating mood.  I'm pretty sure it had to do with the fact that I'm dealing with hyperemesis, not enough sleep, and feeling irritable.

It's funny how you can laugh at things once you reflect on them.  Sure, the day felt like an extension of April Fool's Day.  Two extra kids slept over the night before, so I stayed up until 1 AM, waiting for them to fall asleep.  I was woken up really early by Grant's alarm, then two kids asking if they could play video games, then a stink bug crawling across my forehead.  All hope at sleeping in quickly ended.

The morning included a toilet overflowing, a hermit crab dying, a kid choking, food spilled all over my living room floor, a toynado going through the house, and LOTS of noise! Lunchtime was spent with my kids and sweet great-niece, Aubrey. Lily and I dined on cotton candy after lunch, which promptly made me sick! We missed storytime at the library. There was a Wii dance party in my living room.  My parents stopped to wish me happy birthday and bring treats, but I could barely visit with them because I was so sick at that point.  Lexie had an I-only-slept-6-hours-and-I'm-exhausted meltdown so she was in bed at 5:30, and asleep by 5:45. Which meant that she missed out on me opening presents and I was unable to get my yearly birthday picture with all my kids.  No cake was involved because the thought of cake made me sick!

004
001
007

But that's life, especially with 3.5 kids.  Things don't always go exactly as planned, even on birthdays!  

Even though the day COULD have been an epic fail, it wasn't.

I was overwhelmed at the amount of love I received through text messages, phone calls, and social media.  I am happy that my son has an amazing friend and Lexie and my great-niece are so close.  I am happy to have a full house.  I am beyond blessed with an amazing family and amazing friends.

Best of all?  I got to spend the day with five people I love more than anything in this world.

My incredible son takes great care of me.  He is always so loving, caring, and compassionate.  When I started to get stressed out, he calmed me down with a big hug and kind words.

028

My sweet daughter went out of her way to make my day special. She carefully wrapped up two stuffed animals and made the sweetest birthday card for me. I will never forget the smile on her face when she gave them to me.  Those gifts and card mean the most to me.

 017

My baby girl showered me with love and cuddles.  Watching her dance with her sister and cousin, while they played Wii, made my day!  She is absolutely adorable, and always makes me laugh.

020

My little sweet pea turned the flutters to thumps on my birthday!  It was a great reminder that all the throwing up and feeling sick is VERY much worth it!  I'm so happy that I will get to cuddle with him/her on my next birthday!

044

And my sweet husband.  He came home from work with a gift from him and a gift from the kids.  I got some movies that I have been wanting and a necklace/earring set from the kids.  In addition to all that, he's buying me two new lenses for my camera!

Grant's mom watched the kids so we could go out to dinner together.  I chose the Olive Garden, and we enjoyed a nice, quiet dinner together.  At dinner, he gave me another gift.  A beautiful heart necklace that he just couldn't pass up!

We returned home to a quiet house, so we curled up on the couch and watched one of my gifts, Les Miserables, together.  It was just as amazing the second time around!  All the time spent with my husband tonight was wonderful.

My day wasn't by-the-book perfect, but I am blessed!  This is my life, and I wouldn't have it ANY other way!!!

19 comments:

  1. Aww this totally made me tear up!! You are a super woman!! Glad you were showered with love!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Happy belated birthday & hope you are feeling better & while much less kiddos, I have been there & hindsight is way more humorous than in the moment :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Happy Belated Birthday! I'm sorry you felt so sick, two years ago I was about 8 weeks pregnant on my birthday and spent the night crying because I felt so nauseous and miserable.

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a great post! How sweet is your family (toynadoes and all)...and happy belated birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ahhh! Happy birthday Sissy! May you continue to be blessed!
    big hugs,
    marice

    ReplyDelete
  6. Happy Birthday! Sorry to hear it wasn't stellar. :( I know the feeling. Mine was early February and I was still in the "I want to do nothing but sleep" phase of having a newborn. Here's to hoping you feel better and that next year's is amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  7. You have an amazing attitude, and a very lucky family! Happy Birthday Stefanie :) (And the picture of Lily dancing is just too cute!)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I don't know how you do it being so sick :( I'm glad each of your family members made the day special for you! You deserve it!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I hear ya mama! But I know your littles made it special for ya! Happy Birthday again!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Awwww, you're so sweet. It may not have been a totally smooth day, but your life is full of love and lovelies!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Happy Birthday AND glad to hear there was a happy ending!!! You have so much love around you - hope you are feeling better, for good, soon.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Such a sweet post! Sometimes it's just the little things that make everything worthwhile :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Happy belated birthday and my what a day! Your son sounds super sweet. I'm glad your day ended well. Thanks for stopping by my blog. It's always nice to meet other moms with 3 or more kids. Can't believe you'll almost have 4!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sounds like you had a really special b'day...and a "real" birthday at that!! Being a mom never stops, does it!!!

    Happy (belated) Birthday!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Happy birthday!

    My birthday was pretty lame too. Luke was up multiple times during the night and the dog threw up in the morning. I did get to visit with my coworkers, so it wasn't a total loss.

    Birthdays definitely change as you get older!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Happy Birthday! It sounds like a wonderful birthday to me. Being with your beautiful kids and then spending the evening with your husband sounds perfect. I haven't seen Les Miserables yet but I've heard it's fantastic.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Happy late birthday Super Mom! You're always doing so much I don't know how you do it. Glad you had a good day and the pictures always make me smile. I'm totally borrowing "Toynado" because those hit my house every day!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I forgot to tell you last night that I loved your necklace! Glad you had a good birthday.

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a day! Its like a soap opera tho ... you look so good while being so sick! ;) Glad to hear you had so much love to brighten your special day!

    ReplyDelete

I love hearing from you! Let's chat!!!