35 years old

I am now in my mid-30s. And I really love it. So far the 30s have been my favorite decade. Although the first and second decade weren't too bad, and the third was good too. I just really like where I am now.

In the past, the kids haven't always made a big deal about my birthday, it was just another day, and I was okay with that. Justin has done a good job at making me feel special. But something about this year got everyone wanting to celebrate big time. From sun up to sun down they were all so GOOD to me. The night before, Corbin mentioned a couple of times that he really wanted to tell me something, but he would try not to. But then he kept saying, should I just tell you. (He hates when there is a secret, he wants it shared) The next morning he and Justin came in singing happy birthday and brought me breakfast while carrying the birthday sign. Justin told me it was all Corbin's idea. He set his alarm extra early and he wanted to make pancakes, but Justin convinced him to simplify :) I woke up feeling so loved, and now I understand why it is such a big deal to the kids on their birthdays. ♥♥

The rest of the kids kept telling me happy birthday throughout the day and Rudger couldn't get enough of spoiling me. He gave me some of his leftover Easter candy and then wrapped up a dollar for me. (which is a huge sacrifice for a five year old ♥) He also sneaked into our bedroom and decorated it with pink crepe paper. For my gift, there was hardly any fights and kids were extra helpful.

Our favorite neighbors, a family with four girls, came the evening before and wrote sweet happy birthday messages all over our driveway. I felt so loved. I am totally going to do this from now on! Sweetest surprise!

We had tacos (which Corbin told me to sit down and he'd dish me up) and Dunford donuts with icecream and syrup (soooo good). 

Then we had Taylor and Levi's piano recitals (Levi's first) and came home to watch The Greatest Showman. 

I was so grateful for the texts and messages from sweet friends and family. I am surrounded by such good people. I went to bed feeling so loved. ♥♥♥ 

I like being 35.

It's so hard to see the chalk art, but trust me, it was happy and colorful. 

momma's girl

 

 Adeline is the biggest momma's girl and I really don't mind one bit. 

We always felt like five kids was our number. Having each of our kids has been some of the happiest moments of our married life. I felt so much like a 'boy mom' after having Levi and I truly loved it! After we moved into our current home, we were completely ready for another baby. Before we even became pregnant, I just KNEW it would be another boy and I was more than okay with it. I didn't like that people seemed to pity me. I was SO happy to have another boy. (and looking back, we can't imagine our life without Rudger, he was meant to come to us at that time)

When we started talking about having our last baby, I felt slightly nervous. I knew five was our number, but this felt so final. If we were to have another boy that would be just fine, but my heart did long to have a girl and I so badly wanted to see Justin with a daughter. 

We had an ultrasound when I was almost 14 weeks pregnant. The doctor asked if we should check the gender, I didn't think that was possible, but sure. When he started looking, we found something that looked a lot like it was a boy. My heart did sink just slightly, but then it was gone. The doctor kept checking and then told me he was 95% sure it was a girl. I didn't believe him. My 17 week appointment came and he said 99% sure. I sort of believed him then. The nurses told me that if he said 99%, then you can trust him. At my official big ultrasound appointment, they said 99.9999% 

The day she was born, the first thing I said was, "is it really a girl" and then I cried happy tears. I felt so lucky to have a daughter!

So yes, from day one she has been a huge mama's girl! She has plenty of moments when she just wants daddy, but in the end, we all know who she prefers :)  Adeline often comes running over to me, grabs my legs, and turns back to her brothers and yells, "no, it's my mama"  So yes, she is a mamma's girl ♥♥  

studio 5

I can't believe this was over a month ago.

Time goes fast.

I got an email from my amazing sister in law. She was invited to be part of a live studio audience on Studio 5 and could invite a few people to come. I was thrilled she thought of me. (as well as some other amazing women) 

Funny thing, the segment was on how to not raise diva daughters?  

I know, not for me, but hey it was live t.v.

And really this topic, even though I have only boys, still means a lot to me.  I wish so much for my boys to not marry worldly, ungrateful, high maintenance divas. After all, they will also be my daughter in laws :)

Thanks so much Cami for inviting us. It was wonderful to have some great laughs with these girls!

 We totally got spoiled.

Lunch at Gourmandise. Yum. 

 And the pastries. My eyes were in heaven.

It was a good day.

I can't believe that Christmas is two weeks away. Not fair. *Deep sigh* 

We have been enjoying it though. Posts to come!