Birthday Party 1

Today we celebrated Olivia's 5th birthday with Brads family at his mom's house. I have been preparing and anticipating this lunch for 13 all week. I'm so thankful for how loving and generous Brad's family can be. They always make it seem that there is no where they would rather be than together. Olivia received wonderful gifts at her party. She loved every single thing she opened. The McKenna doll, Princess and the Popstar Barbies, Sqinkies, and books. What is there NOT to love? She said quietly, as if just to say it whether anyone else could hear or not, "I really wanted this." She was genuinely thankful and absorbed. I was very proud of her. And Julian is such a good big brother. He accommodates her and entertains her. He is sociable with the adults. He is a very easy kid to like. :) In the van, Olivia has taken to listening to an old JoDee Messina CD with the song "You Belong in the Sun" on it. Julian and I smiled listening to her sing at the top of her lungs. I love my kids.

Halloween...

So this is my beautiful Monarch Butterfly

Julian as Dipsy

And Robbie, the headless horseman

How blessed am I to have these kids in my life? Julian, despite his teenage years; Robbie who I wish the word nephew could better describe; and Olivia , who is just non-stop.

I took the day off to celebrate with Olivia at school, we went to vote, we went to Grandma's, we went to Mass, ate dinner and Trunk or Treated. I was exhausted. Olivia was not.

After 30 minutes of giggling and talking I tried to get Olivia to settle down and sleep and she asked if she could climb in my bed and I could scratch her back. Within 3 minutes she was sound asleep.

I remember that comfort. Even after my mom was diagnosed, one night I laid over her footstool and she scratched my back. Neither of us said a word. Tears streamed down my face. I didn't want to say goodbye to her. I didn't know how. So I let her comfort me, because sometimes only a mom can.

I hope I always will answer the requests for a back scratch, a hug, a cuddle, or just a touch. I miss that from my mom. I missed out on many of those moments with Julian, though sometimes he will walk out of his room behind me and touch my hair. I value those moments as priceless today.