Friday, April 13, 2007

Another year...

I'm another year older today and I don't mind a BIT! What a privilege to be alive, healthy and blessed far beyond what I deserve! Each birthday is a blessing and a gift ... I realize this more and more the older I get and the more I see suffering, sorrow and pain in lives all around us.

I was born in the latter half of the 70s, was a little girl in the 80s and a teenager in the 90s. Each birthday was a huge production when I was growing up..... themed parties, Easter egg hunts, slumber parties (where no one slept). I remember eating out of the "you are special" plate at supper, and having a huge breakfast in bed. Mom and Dad always made a big deal out of birthdays. I never tired of hearing the story of the night/morning that I came into the world and mama always told me again every year. After marriage, my precious husband has continued the breakfast in bed tradition, the fanfare, the presents, the cake, the works.

Today has been a little different. I woke up this morning to the sounds of a sweet 3 year old saying "Oh, mama today is you bur-day, you are a BIG girl now, mama!" while covering my face with kisses and singing "Happy Birthday", while a sweet little 1 1/2 year old clapped excitedly. There was no mom and dad here this morning, no siblings sitting on my bed watching me open gifts after my grand breakfast, no husband to give a happy birthday kiss (though phone calls from overseas are VERY sweet). But tonight will be a very grown up birthday party at a very grown up restaurant with my sister and some friends. My parents will be babysitting their grandchildren while their mommy is having the ultimate girl's night out. A very different birthday? Oh, yes. But still a wonderful birthday with every reason in the world to celebrate.
Psalm 139:13
Happy Friday and
Much Love

24 comments:

Karen said...

Happy Birthday!! What a wonderful post! I loved reading it...
I hope you have a wonderful time tonight with the girls as you celebrate how God has blessed you.

God Bless~
Karen

Anonymous said...

I just found your blog and am enjoying it. I have to ask; are you a MSU bulldog or an Ole Miss Rebel? Or neither?

Mississippi Girl said...

Hi Kelly-
Everyone in my family (except me!!)went to MSU !!! So we are all Bulldog fans- and USM Golden Eagle fans- I got my master's there and my hubby graduated from there. Thanks for stopping by!
Jennifer

Paula said...

May God bless you richly today on your birthday! I hope you have a fun night out with the girls. :)

Zach Green said...

Happy Birthday Jenn!

Hope you have a great day!

Love ya!

Lori said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY GOD BLESS YOU. Happy Birthday day to you =)

Hope you had a great day.

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday, Jennifer!! I hope your evening out is a blast!

Cherish the Home said...

Happy Birthday!!

Hope you have fun with your friends.

If you get a chance I'd love a post about how things are going with your new fitness regime. (o:

Blessings and Hugs,
~Mrs.B

Southern Girl said...

Happy Birthday, Jennifer! What a sweet way for you to wake up this morning! I hope you enjoyed your night out on the town. :)

CG said...

Hope you had a wonderful night out tonight! Happy Birthday!

TheNormalMiddle said...

Happy Birthday you youngin' you!

Mom said...

Happy Belated Birthday!! What a sweet way to wake up on your birthday! I hope you enjoyed your night out :)

My Trendy Tykes said...

Happy bday !!!!

Linda

Christopher said...

Happy Birthday Jennifer. The Red Plate is a fantastic family tradition. Your post has be featured on the Red Plate Stories Blog.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday dear Jennifer I hope you had a wonderful time.

Military Mommy said...

Happy Birthday Jennifer! I hope it was special and full of your favorite things.

I have to admit that I cried when I read your post though. Even though I know the sweetness of the kids wishing you happy birthday, it hurt my heart that your husband missed it and I am sorry. My husband will be missing mine too this year, so I know the bittersweet feeling of being so blessed, yet having your heart ache for your love.

Big hugs to you tonight for sweet dreams and prayers for your family and husband.

Love, Michelle

Alicia said...

Hope it was lovely. :^)

The Tiquehunters Wife said...

A very Happy Birthday to you! Jennifer! With Love and prayers always-Claudia O.

Robin Green said...

I'm so glad you had a nice birthday. I hate that your hubby had to miss it though. I know he hates it too. It sounds like you have a wonderfully supportive family, though, and you are blessed because of it!

Cutie said...

Just ran across your blog...love it! Nice to see another Mississippi blogger! I'll be reading. :)

Anonymous said...

This is my first visit to your blog and I just wanted to say how lovely it was to visit you. I will be back to visit some more when I have more time. Take care!
Salina

Magnolia Sun said...

Happy belated birthday. Just stopping by, what a beautiful post. I also am a military wife and my husband has missed many special birthdays and holidays. Stop by sometime.

Christy said...

I too just had a birthday, last weekend..I turned the BIG 30..I am blessed though. I just know my 30's will be better then my 20's, and my 20's were great! I love your BLOG. I too am from MS, and I just switched over to using BLOGGER.

Anonymous said...

I just found your blog and am enjoying it.

___________________
Julie
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