celebrating sweet 16

My mom is a leap year baby, celebrating her 16th birthday today, and consequently we are celebrating accordingly -- all day. My sister came into town for this very occasion, and while today may not live up the hype of her 15th birthday celebration (when she turned 60), we are giving her exactly what she wants -- time with her family.

Happy Birthday Mom! I am continually grateful for your example in my life and that I belong to you. I love you dearly and hope you have the bestest 16th birthday!! And how could you not with me around... winkwink ;)

P.S. Megan says, "grandma is awesome! i love being with her."

Thirty-five

When I was headed to meet my family for lunch this afternoon I thought of this picture of me blowing out my candles on my second birthday. I don't remember the actual moment, in fact so many of my childhood memories are finding their way to that forgotten place deep in my mind, but I can recall the times I looked at this photo while growing through the years and I can remember German chocolate cake with it's pecan and coconut frosting to be a favorite of mine.



Immediately upon finding this photograph I was draw to my mother. I couldn't help, but think of this picture I took of myself in January and couldn't believe the resemblance between the two of us--her dark hair and eyebrows, distinct cheek bones, hair identical in style, and even wearing an outfit I might wear today.

If I have my math right, and I'm certain I do, my mom is 30 in this photograph (or days from turning 30) so I'm a few years older than her. I'd be celebrating my seventh birthday in this picture if my mom was 35 and it occurred to me more than before the way our lives mirror each other. She was here once, living the life I live now--young family, small kids. I imagine if I read her journals from those years she would share some of the same worries and concerns, have the same sort of dreams, and long to be the best wife and mother she could just like me.

From generation to generation big things change, life experiences make imprints and change our direction, but the little things, they stay the same. What was important to her then is important to me now. I think this must be God's way of telling us how much we need each other. She has wisdom that I need, she's done this before, and can't imagine a better woman to learn from--the woman who is responsible for my birthday.

I feel extremely blessed to have so many amazing people in my life. I would not be the person I am today without each one. And I say that with all sincerity. So thank you. Thank you for your friendship and love. Thank you for always reminding me that I am better than I think I am.

xxox,
amy gretchen

girls weekend getaway | photos

Good to be home and sleep in my own bed. Love my bed. I thought this break would allow me to catch up on my sleep, but unfortunately I slept horrible almost every night. UGH! I did however have a good time with my mom, sister Jeni, and sister-in-law Amy. There were some crazy times, times I'm sure everyone has experienced when four woman get together, but I enjoyed my time with them and the seemingly endless conversations. I hope it's something we can do annually.


the first day we got pedicures.














p.s. I'm keeping track of rainbows...this counts right?










love the red rocks

floating

My mom, who was born on leap year, told me today in response to me asking her what day she preferred to celebrate her birthday on, "I'm 61 years old and I still don't know what day to celebrate." Every 4th year she has her actual birthday, but I think all the other years she feels like she's floating in between days. Some cards/calls come on the 28th and other come on the 1st. Even us kids (my siblings and I) all call her on different days. I can totally understand why she would feel like she's floating.



Regardless of what day we celebrate my girls are so thrilled to celebrate with her. I think they believe it's exciting to have a birthday on leap year, well, I guess that's what I thought. Apparently Bella has finally clued into how unfair it must be to only get a birthday every 4 years. This afternoon while they made cards to go along with the gift I caught sight of Bella's card and couldn't help but laugh. She wrote, "I feel bad for you that you were born on leap year..." Ah, sweet Bella and her tactful ways. I thought it was so funny and know my mom will get a kick out of it too.

It's crazy to think being a leap year baby was almost my fate. My mom was telling me how excited the doctor was to think he would deliver a baby on leap year whose mother was born on leap year as well. Lucky for me I came when I did and I think I owe my mom for it. Apparently she was willing me to come because she didn't want me to grow up feeling like I was "floating". Thank you for that. I don't know though, we do have the biggest bash ever when she does get a birthday so I wonder, does it out way the other years?

Mom Happy 15 1/4 Birthday!...or is that 61? I never know which, and there we go again...floating. Love you.

Finally I feel like I can stop the charade.

Phew.

For the past six weeks I've been bottling secret after secret for my Mom's 60th birthday and it's been killing me. I've wanted to share what I've been up to and show my mom the gift my Dad asked me to make for her, but of course I've had to sit back and wait patiently. Well, let me paint a more accurate picture, I shouldn't say sit back and wait because every moment I had went into making her gift. Seriously hundreds of hours sifting through box after box of photos, scanning, and putting the gift together on my computer was all I did since the moment I was asked to do it.

But before I get into all of that...my sister is back in town. Yes that would be twice in the last 3 weeks. The first time was to take a family photo to go with the gift and this time to surprise my mom for her birthday. I'm actually shocked it ended up being a surprise at all with my multiple almost slip ups that could have given it away.

So today while trying to keep the charade going we headed to boondocks, a family fun center, and had a day of it.





After the all day event, we were so exhausted, we headed for the party. It was fun to see my mom completely surprised to see my sister and then equally surprised that my dad had invited all her family and friends to join us in celebrating her 60 years or what she likes to say, 15 years (leap year baby).



I must admit I was a bit nervous and on edge the entire time. It's so hard to give someone something you've worked so hard on and that everyone is counting on to be the big thing, but I knew she would love it so I don't know why I was so nervous. How could she not right? I mean it is a treasure to me how could it not be a treasure to her.


I made her a blurb book of her life thus far. Like I said it was quite an undertaking, but I'm so so glad I did it. I learned so much about my mother and came to understand her in a whole new way. I cried on may occasions as I remembered times and experiences with my family and almost wished I could go back to those moments when all seemed right and less complicated.

a few of the 166 page book

You know with everyone there she really didn't have that much time to sit down and read it all and soak in the photos, but I'm certain when she does she will feel loved and see that she has had a full life, and really that is all we wanted to give her...to know she is loved.



Happy Birthday Mom! I love you.

found this & this...

when I looked through my photos this evening. Looks like Adam's been picking up the camera. All I can say is how much it made me smile to find these treasures. It's rare that I make an appearance in my girls life in front of the lens. Hopefully it will happen more often.

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Friday, January 12, 2007

Oh yeah and some good news. I heard from PC Laptops today and apparently it was the casing that was damaged. My photos are not lost. NICE!! Couldn't be happier with that news.