Well, with 4 kids, it is inevitable for them to grow up (unless you throw them into some cryogenic freeze machine, but then they will come back and zap you with their newly acquired freeze powers which emanate from their fingertips in an evolutionary desire for survival.) And with that, there are milestones which make me, as a parent, look and say, "Has it really been that long?"
Becca turned 5 on Wednesday. She was so excited. I now ask her, 'Who's my 5 year old?' Of course, half the time she complains that Micah is still older (as he always will be, I explain.) She wants to grow up so fast and I still consider her my baby (again, something she has refused for the past 2 years.) (Just like real life, I use a lot of parenthesis in my listening to boring lectures, sometimes sermons, watching bad tv shows, etc. Too many smart comments like a dummy.)
Well, if you are a reader of Trina's blogs, you will know that we are pretty broke right now. This always bums me around birthday time (July-October in this family -- except Trina, the odd-ball (I love you.)) One of the things I was thinking about for Becca's birthday was taking the family out to see Wall-E at the El Capitan, but that won't be happening. In fact, not much will be happening. We had some family over on Sunday to celebrate. Dad made a cake, Trina and Dianne made cupcakes for Extended Session at church earlier. Becca was ecstatic that she got 5 Barbies (3 big, 2 small, 1 elephant.) I wish I could have done more though.
Of course, looking back on my childhood, the highlight of my life was my sixth birthday. My dad and I went for a walk to the mall and I got a radio and cassette deck for my birthday. I was so happy. Then we got back home and a bunch of people from the baseball park (It must have been my 7th birthday... I started playing baseball at 6) and church (I always thought it was 6th... could my mind be playing tricks on me?) were at our house and we had a baseball ice cream cake. But it was simple. I didn't get a lot, but it was a celebration. I learned that it wasn't about stuff, it was about recognition and celebration and getting together. Maybe us being broke and me not being able to spoil my children rotten is a good thing as they will grow up not being materialistic but will take joy in the little things.
I like Trina's gimmick. On substantial post, I'll probably find the verse that sums up the post.
11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:11-13
2 comments:
Happy belated birthday to Becca! You all look so great! Thanks for posting this pic!
One of my favorite Christmases as a kid, or at least one I remember most, was one where we had no money for a tree, so my mom made a construction paper tree and stapled it to the wall under our stairs. We colored it with decorations and stuff. The only present that I remember getting that year was a doll I already owned. I had owned this doll since I was about one, and her hair was falling off, her clothes were ripped, her facial features were fading, etc. So my mom sewed her a new dress, glued all her hair back on and just made her look brand new. Oh yeah, and she sewed her arm back on. I was probably about 8 at the time. I tell ya, though, I probably couldn't tell you with half as much clarity what I got for Christmas 2 years ago.
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