Mom's Birthday

Back in January, Mom celebrated a very special birthday. While her age shall remain unknown, I can guarantee she doesn’t look as old as she is! J

 

Despite the fact that we had just returned home from Pennsylvania a few nights before, we tried to make her birthday as special as we could under the circumstances. Early on the morning of her birthday, we kids continued our tradition of making her breakfast in bed. We made enough cinnamon rolls so that everyone could enjoy some. J

 

That evening, we took Mom out to dinner. It was Dad’s job to pick out the restaurant. I will be very honest in admitting that at first I wasn’t all that thrilled when we drove up to the place he picked out. The catfish restaurant (that the rest of us had never been to before) wasn’t fancy at all. It didn’t seem quite appropriate for the occasion.

 

But by the end of the evening, I had completely changed my mind! Despite the casual atmosphere, the food was incredible! Mom couldn’t stop raving about it, and the rest of us all loved it. Never judge a restaurant by its appearance!

 

The birthday girl at the restaurant.

Dad ordered fried jalapenos and mozzarella sticks as an appetizer. I enjoyed their country-style lemonade (don’t ask me what makes it “country.”) Country or not, it was definitely southern-style. It was much lighter on the lemon and heavy on the sugar!

 

For dinner most of us had the ½ sized dinner. It included two HUGE catfish fillets and two sides. I had the black-eyed peas, and old fashioned ham and potato salad. It was delicious, but I regretted getting the ½ size. I only ate half the meal, so next time we go I’ll be sure to order the ¼ size!

After we ate, Dad suggested that we stop at one of the western outfitters stores nearby. His gift to Mom had been “permission” to purchase cowboy boots. J So we went over there just to browse.

 

The $400 jacket stayed at the store, but Mom did end up purchasing the boots she’s wearing in the pictures. They are really cute Ariat boots, and the rest of us are just slightly envious that she was the first one in our family to get true cowboy boots. J

Photo Credit: Roma.

After our shopping, we returned home and Mom opened her gifts. The boys gave her a Bed, Bath & Beyond gift card so she could purchase a new waffle iron (ours bit the dust after 23 years) and a new coffee grinder. Roma and Rubia gave her a gift card to Bath & Body works so that she could stock up on her favorite lotions and sprays.

 

I gave her a big container of Whoppers, one of her favorite candies. I had also worked on 2 gifts that were from many people, but I had done a lot of the behind-the-scenes work on preparing the two gifts.

 

The first was a framed document. On it was written “Blessings of Betsy” that all of us came up with. Mom is such a blessing to us all and we wanted to express that.

I had also sent out a letter (unknown to Mom) to her friends and family. Mom’s love language is words of affirmation. I asked our friends and relatives to write Mom a note or a letter, expressing words of affirmation for her. We had a great response from people, and Mom *LOVES* the book.

Following the presents, we had her birthday cake (Chocolate Turtle Cake.) I had no idea where she had put the birthday candles, so we put votive lights on the cake. J It still tasted just as good!

Photo Credit: Roma.

And that was Mom’s birthday in a nutshell! We are so grateful for her and the ways she blesses us. We hope to celebrate many more birthdays with her!