December 29 -- My 40th Birthday

Today was one of those special days wherein every breath was one gratitude, happiness and peace.  Here are my birthday guests greeting me and the day.

Molly brought me a card that she composed herself then gathered shells to complete the perfect present.  Those boxes contained the Harry Potter Lego sets I've been dreaming about for over a decade.  

By 10am, the children were rushing into the waves with wet suits and kayaks.  Austin and I read books on the balcony instead.  Andy is a bit of a cold bug, so he generously entertained Molly.  He carried her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes -- she didn't complain.

Meg had this great idea to do  HIIT workout of my choosing.  We began indoors, but quickly headed to the balcony for fresh breeze and sunny seas.

It hardly looks like we're working.  I hope I can climb the dunes tomorrow.

After reading on the sunny sandy slopes and napping these two came inside to help me build Legos.  What fun.  Molly called me, "Birthday Mom," all day.

The boys and Maddie played Nintendo, and Austin and the girls puzzled.

After a lovely dinner and a tribute via song, (I'll include the link) cookie cake, CFM D&C, Super Smash and reading, it was time to call it a day.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/dN6CxemxpVAGU3Uq5

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Not a bit of stress even tempted my peace today.  I'm certainly middle-aged, and so happy to be growing old -- it justs means I've been given a beautiful blessing to live a life whereupon I can enhance my character and love more deeply than the prior days.  This next decade my goals include: diety, husband, children, family, friends, piano, foreign language, and lots of smiling and laughing. 

 

December 28

One trip to Mexico this year wasn't enough; we fell right back into beach life.

Felix made Molly her name bracelet.

Just after the was unloaded, they knew to run to the water.

Boys vs. Girls forts (The boys won, big time.  Theirs was complete with silos, sentries, and leaders.  The girls' had tress and gardens.)

Andy helped dig a guy out.  He started the rush to help.

We took some really awkward sunset photos.  You would never guess that he knows how to hold me.  I really made fun of him. 

"Beach hair.  Don't care."

Super Smash FHE game

She loves him.  I love him.  I love her.  I love them all.

Last night in my thirties selfie.  Thank goodness for automatic filters and color pops.  It's often humbling when I do see myself in natural lighting and close to a mirror, I'm often shocked and disappointed.  HAHAHHAHAH!

 

December 26-27

I did not take one Sunday picture in front of the tree this year.  Wait!  I just thought of something: We can take one this Sunday before Meg goes back to school.

I did snap one of Molly.

Maisie and I made four meals to take to Mexico.

Austin and Meg organized all the other food.

We are ready for a new year of CFM studying the Doctrine and Covenants.  It's so exciting.

 

Christmas Day

Lots of bodies on the stairs caroling us awake at 7am. 

They all ran up the stairs similtaneously and the raptured filled the halls.

He doesn't look impressed, he was.

She asked for a puppy; she named him, Blackberry.

After presents, we headed to Grandma's house for brunch and cookie making.  Her home is cozy, calm and kind.

We have a new game, and she picked it right up and beat Austin a few times.  

The rest of the day we spent playing Nintendo, all together.  All 10 of us have joy cons and games and killer instinct to win.  I must note for all three of my faithful readers:  I WON SUPER SMASH! As in it was just Andy and I left, and I beat him.  This will never happen again, ever.  Then, I beat him in 200cc Rainbow Road in Mario Cart.  I mean, I won.  I took 2nd place and beat all those fools.  Never again, will this happen.  They probably have the course memorized, so that was it.  But, I'll take it and go down in history for it.

She was exhausted, so we watched a show together until dinner was ready.  

After a Christmas bath, and CFM, the day ended as softly as it came in.  We gathered to pray and thank Heavenly Father for His Only Begotten Son and our abundace in knowing Him and using His atonement.  So, to bed we went and to bed we slept for a cool nine hours uninterrupted, which is certainly my little Christmas miracle.

Merr Christmas!