Birthday Week!

When I got married things were very tight financially for my husband and I. We were lucky to be able to pay our regular bill let alone get anything extra. Things got even tighter when we have our first child and I decided to quit my job and stay home.

I don't regret this decision but it did come at a cost. We went without a great deal of things people consider necessities. Even on my birthday when I would get money from friends and family with a promise of buying something nice for myself I would put it into the budget hoping to break even for the month or get my kids Christmas presents. If you can image birthdays started to become a drag for me, a reminder of how hard things were for us.

I look back on those times with a tender place in my heart. It was hard and at times I wasn't sure our marriage would make it through all the stress, but in the end it really made our marriage stronger. I still freak out a little when things get tight, but then I remind myself how much we grow through adversity and calm myself down.

So, what does this have to do with my birthday? Well, during those times I hated that my birthday was just turning into such a sour reminder of hard times so I decided that when things got better I would make a big deal of my birthday and really celebrate every year and not dread getting older because you never know what life has planned for you. That's why instead of just limiting myself to one day I started celebrating a week before my birthday. I don't get presents everyday of the week, but my husband does try to make everyday special.

Today is the kick off of my birthday week and my husband surprised me with a Cocomotion, something I've wanted for a long time. I love it  and have already enjoyed my first cup of mint hot chocolate. I plan on using it all winter long and with every cup I'll remember how sweet my life really is and how much I have to be thankful for, with my husband being at the very top of my gratitude list.

Let The Music Play

I had to share this. I love it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=IbLz9-riRGM#!

This Little Piggy Went To The Doctor...

It's getting colder outside and my kids are all starting up with colds and all sorts of fun little illnesses. My oldest just got over a stomach bug, my youngest son is coughing and has a runny nose and our sweet little baby has ear infections in both ears.

It's so sad when children get sick and even more sad when they pass those illnesses on to other children or in my situation adults. I would have to say my youngest son is one of those children passing. He has a cough and even when reminded he still tends to cough right in other people's faces. Just this morning he was telling me a story and started coughing on me. I told him to turn his head and cough in the crook of his elbow. Sounds simple enough, doesn't it? Not for him! Instead of doing what he was told he continued to tell me why he can't stop coughing while coughing on me.

I am starting to feel a bit under the weather with congestion and tickle in my throat and now I know who I can thank for it.

So remember folks no one wants your germs so cough and sneeze in the crook of your elbow. Don't leave your snot rags lying about and please wash your hands after you use the bathroom because if you don't it's like doing this...