Oh How I Love Magical Birthdays!

I just had to share with you the magical day I had.  Today is my birthday.   Woot!  I am not mentioning how old I am (do the math, my oldest child is 29 years old. . . yikes!)

I am used to little fanfare with a birthday so close to Christmas.  Hey, people are busy.  No biggie.

But sometimes, life goes a different way.   Today was one of those days - with lots of fanfare!  Here is a little glimpse into my birthday. . .

It's a birthday hug!  How did I get so lucky to be a teacher?

My celebration started in the morning.  I woke up to a house completely decorated with handmade signs everywhere and in every room.  My daughter, Abbey, went overboard and it was the BEST!

  The living room floor was covered in balloons!

She knows I adore Paris, France.  :)

My students made this adorable sign using their hand prints to make cupcakes with candles! 

The children "filled my bucket" with wonderful compliments!  They made me a DVD -- with interviews of the children talking about me.  Oh my word.  Precious beyond words.  (I need a kleenex. . .)

My husband dropped off a surprise latte. Oh yeah!

Aren't birthdays the best! 

For My Sister

This weekend I received word that Huntingtons disease is taking my sister's life sooner than I could have imagined.  We are praying we have 6 months with her.  My life has taken a huge shift.  I will travel to see her every chance I have.  Time is like a pocket of gold.

Today I heard this amazing, inspiring 29 year old singer Justin Hines. This young man with crippling condition has an amazing spirit for living life fully.  His disability does not limit what is possible in his life.  I am amazed by his remarkable heart for making the most of his gifts and talents.  His spirit for making a difference inspires me to be an instrument of greater good.

Here is a song he wrote that moves me so deeply.  Say what you will - my sister will always be my dearest friend.  Love you my sweet sister.

Missing My Sweet Cat

It happened very suddenly.  Last week we thought my cat had been in a cat fight but it turned out he was in the final stages of cancer (Feline Lymphoma).  Yesterday we chose to put him down.  He declined rapidly and did not respond to steroids or other treatments.  We sought the opinion of two different vets.  The diagnosis was the same.  Honestly, it was so hard to see him suffer.  The decision was easy.  Spare him the pain. 

This is Einstein that first winter we had him.  He was just a kitten still.

  And oh so cute!  

 Saying good-bye is always the hardest part.

Today, I am grateful for the joy this furry little friend brought into our lives for the last two years.  Einstein was a stray cat that found his way to our porch.  This Christmas season, we have decided as a family to contribute the money we would spend on each other to the Tulsa Animal Rescue Foundation.   What better way to honor our sweet Einstein.   

All my love,