Happy Birthday, Ami!!

There was a little snow on the ground 33 years ago today when my baby sister was born.  But I wasn't excited about the snow, no.  I was excited about my baby!!  I was 9 years old and I had prayed for a little sister from the day Mama and Daddy told me and Ricky that we were expecting.  I prayed every day, "Lord, just give me a baby sister.  I already have a rotten brother. I don't want another one." And back then, they couldn't do sonograms to see if babies were boys or girls so I just had to wait. And wait and wait and wait.  She took forever getting here!

I remember how over the moon I was the day she was born and Daddy came to Grandma's to tell us we had a GIRL and to get us and take us to the hospital to see Mama and the baby.  I don't even remember seeing Mama at all but I remember the first time I saw Ami. When I peered through that nursery window at Sumter Regional Hospital, I thought she was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen with her pink baby skin and that little bit of red fuzz on top of her head. 

I remember when we brought her home, Mama let me carry her all over the house and I showed her the kitchen, the bathroom, my bedroom, my toys and I told her I couldn't wait for her to get big enough to play with me. 

That seems more like 10 years ago than 33 to me. Brian took this picture of us last night at her family birthday party.  I put my arm around her and said, "This is my baby."

She was when I was 9 and she still is today.

Happy Birthday, sissy!!  I love you very much!!

Happy Birthday, Mama!

This is my sweet mama on a trip to the beach she and I took in May.  I love this picture of her!  We had so much fun!! It will always be my favorite vacation ever.

Today is Mama's birthday and I just wanted to let her know how much I love her and appreciate all she has done for me from the day of my birth until now.  Mama stayed home with us for most of my life and she was always there for us whether we had too much homework or a broken heart. She did without sometimes so that we could have whatever we wanted.  That wasn't lost on me.  She worried over us, prayed over us, sat up with us when we were sick and encouraged us to keep going even when we were sure we could not go another step.  She taught us, she loved us, she took incredible care of us and we are so blessed that God chose her to be our mother.

One of my favorite memories of my childhood is how Mama always, always, always served us toast on our birthdays with one lighted candle in the middle.

So, Mama, here's your toast.  

Happy Birthday, our beautiful Mama

May the coming year bring you nothing but good health and giggles!

I love you more than you'll ever know.

It's My Birthday!

42. I'z 42 now.

You should feel free to go ahead and tell me I don't LOOK 42.

I'll wait.

Lalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalala....

Thanks! You are too kind. No, really. Stop.

I had an awesome day!! I had to work on my birthday which was no big deal 'cause I got stuff! The girls in the office all pitched in and gave me cards and a bunch of money and then they took me to a Japanese steakhouse for lunch. Oooooo, calamari. Yum.

Then for supper, Mama and Daddy and Ami and Brian came to my house and brought a bucket of KFC Grilled Chicken, veggies, mashed potatoes, biscuits, lemon squares and brownies. I had had my birthday cake Sunday at our birthday party/Father's Day dinner at my folks' house. I got a pair of capris and $$$$$ from Mama and Daddy and a gift card to Bath and Body Works from Ami and Brian. Tonight, I got to open Larry's gift to me. He got me eleven DVDs, an assortment of movies from comedy to romance to drama. I've only seen one of them so I'm really looking forward to sitting down and watching them.

So, happy birthday to me!! I'm going to spend the rest of it in a bubble bath.