September 7th

Today I turn 32. Those who know me know that September 7th isn't just another day, it's a holiday. In fact, the festivities for "September 7th" begins promptly on August 25th (the day after Adam's birthday), and lasts usually a week or two after September 7th. I'm not really at fault for this behavior. You see, in my house, September 7th was a triple celebration. First, and most importantly at the time, it was my birthday, secondly, it was my twin sisters birthday, and lastly, it was my parents anniversary (we were born on their 4th anniversary). And to add to the celebrations, some birthday's fell on Labor Day, and even more special would it be when it was also Grandparents Day. So, as you can see, this first week in September was a very important part of year for me growing up! I didn't know any better but to think everyone had a big celebration for their birthdays like we did! We would usually have a family get together this time of year and inevitably Grandma would always ensure there was a birthday cake there for us and my cousin Marissa (whose birthday was just a week after ours). So, although this annual family gathering was just that, a family get together, in my eyes they were all coming together to celebrate our birthday! Haha! Oh to see life through a child's eye once again!

And then we come to this year. This year has been completely different. There are no festivities, no talk of birthday parties, surprises, cakes, gifts, extravaganza's..ok, extravaganza's might be taking it a little far, but you get the drift...There's only been murmurs of this special day. More like a passing thought, like "oh, I need to get bread at the store on the way home" and not "Yay! It's my birthday!!!" for weeks on end. So, today, there will be no birthday parties, no cake, no surprises, no gifts, no cards, no extravaganza's. I'm sure I'll get the occasional phone call or text or I might even get 20 or so well wishes from my Facebook "friends" but that will be about the extent of my September 7th this year. This year, September 7th begins at about 6:30am with feeding the babies. I'll be busy changing diapers, managing 6 feeding sessions, bathing babies only to end the afternoon by taking all three babies to a wellness check at the doctor's office. I'll come home exhausted and hungry, change and feed the babies, shovel some food - whatever I can find from the fridge - into my mouth in between the evening feeds, wash dishes, fold laundry and put the girls to bed and then crash in bed myself, hopefully around 9:30. September 7th won't be like other years past, it will be better. It will be a day filled with hearts desires met, longings fulfilled and God's faithfulness tangible as I look into the eyes of my three babies. I am so thankful for my three birthday presents this year! What a great day it will be!!!! God's grace is beautiful. He loves us and blesses us, despite us. Thank you Lord!