Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Birthday Memories, Part II


This has been an exhausting 12 days, and I am way behind in finishing the birthday celebration stories. I won't feel complete until I do this post. The reason for the exhaustion is that Kristen developed a terrible horrible infection and was literally in bed, sleeping much of the time, for over a week. She was so sad to have missed all of the festivities, which is why I had the kids in my care. They were all with us for 12 days and nights, and I began taking them to visit her for a few minutes at a time after about a week. They were so good, but this grandma is tired. More about that in the next post.

Mom told somebody during the week-end that she only remembered ever having two birthday parties in her life. I think the reason for some of this is that her birthday is so close to Mother's Day and they got blended quite often. But Mom enjoyed every minute of this special week-end for her and is still enjoying the memories of all the surprises we planned.

Sunday morning everyone was sitting front and center in our church sanctuary. It was so fun to see everyone out there as some of us were in the choir. When we were teen-agers, my sister, oldest brother, and I were in a quartet with a good friend. We decided it would be fun to sing one of the songs we used to sing back in the day. Our youngest brother was coerced into singing with us, and DC took the place of our missing brother, who couldn't make it from England (we were so glad his wife was able to be here). My brothers were so goofy during rehearsal that I wasn't sure we could make it through the song without getting the giggles.

We had so much fun singing this old song, Heaven Came Down and Glory Filled My Soul. I wish I had a way to post the video --


After church we got together for a quick lunch at my sister's place, then headed back to the church to decorate for the second party, attended by many church friends. I don't have lots of pictures of the decorations, because I was too busy doing the work. But we had round tables with yellow tablecloths and yellow long-stemmed roses on each table, along with 5x7 copies of the pictures I shared with you here. It was fun to see all the interest in her past.

When we were doing all the set-up, my SIL, Morning Glory, had the brilliant idea to bring the play pen up from the nursery. I didn't think they even made play pens any more. It was a life saver, and even kept the big girls happy!




Mom's dress was her birthday gift from my sis and me. One of the young women in our church is working on flower arranging as a career, so we asked her to do our floral arrangements for us.


I had found these dresses for all 4 girls at Sam's awhile back, and this was the perfect time to debut them.


We had such a good turn-out and it was such fun. I was so thankful for all of the help with the babies --


There were so many pictures being taken. Here is what ended up on my camera. This is everyone in the family who was privileged to be there.



Here is a shot of all the grands/spouses who were able to come.



There are literally hundreds of pictures being taken by dozens of cameras. I wish I had all of them! Don't worry, I wouldn't think of posting all of them, even if I had them.

Thanks for joining in the celebration --


22 comments:

Amy said...

The girls are all getting so big. It's amazing how well the twins have done and how much they've grown since I started reading your blog.

Amy said...

Dawn,

I haven't missed a post. I'm afraid I've been very bad about leaving comments.

I'm sorry. I've made a pledge to be better about commenting and not just reading on all my favorite folks like you!

Thanks for coming by my blog!

Mary said...

Dawn,

It's wonderful that you were able to pay tribute to your mother with a party. I'm sure she was very surprised as well as delighted. Everything looks beautiful and your mother is very pretty. I wish her many more happy, healthy years.

You left a comment about frost on my post tonight. We had frost Sunday night and again last night. I brought all the flowers onto the porch where they would be protected and covered the tomatoes with empty flower pots and ice cream containers. I keep some of these in the garage for just this purpose.

Take care, my friend. I hope Kristen is feeling better soon.

Blessings,
Mary

nannykim said...

Wow that was wonderful!!I love the little girls'dresses too. It is a good thing you are not working at an outside job any more. You must be exhausted from 12 days!!! WOW!!!

Needled Mom said...

Oh dear Dawn, I can't imagine how exhausted you must be with the care of the girls and the party and the company and a sick daughter and...and...and. You poor thing.

The party sounds like it was the perfect celebration and your mom looks gorgeous in her pretty dress. I am sure that it is a lasting memory for her with all of the happy faces in the pictures. There is not much more joy for a mother than seeing her family together like that.

Rest and take care of yourself now.

Shawna said...

Looks like a good time. The dresses are all so pretty.

I'm sorry about Kristen and glad she is doing better. That must have been a rough 12 days for all with everyone out of their routine.

I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!

Susan said...

What a wonderful celebration. Love that you guys sing together!!! I don't know how you do all you do Dawn. I'm sure you are worn out but you always arise to the occassion and your family is so blessed to have you and that you do!!!!
Susan

Laurie in Ca. said...

What a great celebration for your mom Dawn. And don't you just love how people will jump in and help with the kids? I hope you are getting some much needed and deserved rest after all of this. I am so happy you heard from Kev for mothers day. It must have made your heart full. I love you and am praying for your family.

Love and Hugs, Laurie

Unknown said...

I'm sad to hear that Kristen has been so sick and that she missed the celebrations. I hope you are catching up on some much needed rest now!

The girls look so precious in their dresses!

someone else said...

What great memories these pictures bring. It was so much fun!!

Sam said...

I love all the girls in the playpen! I bet the older girls thought it was a cool hideout. They all look like they're having a lot of fun.

Great photos. I bet your mom was so happy. It looks like it was such a nice party.

I really hope Kristen feels better soon and that you get some much-deserved rest!

Sharon Lynne said...

Thanks for sharing your large family with all of us. It was fun and interesting to see the pictures. I'm glad you had a lot of help with the young ones. It's too bad Kristin was so ill. I hope she's not feeling too bad about everything.

Well...you will have to get some rest--soon! (If that's possible)
Don't forget to take care of yourself!

SentimentsbyDenise said...

Looks like a wonderful celebration for your mother. I'm sure she felt blessed by it.
Kristen is so fortunate to have you close by to help with the girls.
I pray for Kevin everyday - I have his photo copied on my computer and see it everytime I open my home page. Just wanted you to know.

Midlife Mom said...

Heaven came down and glory filled my soul, when at the cross my saviour made me whole! My sins were washed away and my night was turned to day....when heaven came down and glory filled my soul!! How'd I do???? We used to sing that song when i was in boarding school in chapel. I wish you had some way to post you all sining it, i'd sing along with you!! :o)

What a lovely party for your Mom! She must have been so pleased with everything. That was a great idea bringing the play pen up for the little girlies. I didn't know they made them any more either.

This is our last day here in Florida. Hubby is in classes this morning so i am on this Mac computer trying to type on a different style keyboard. We have had a lovely although busy time this week with all the classes and functions. We have had most afternoons to do what we want so that has been nice. Will post it all when we get home.

Glad Kristen is feeling better. Wow! 12 days, I would have been exhausted!!! You are one rocking Grandma!!!

Judith said...

Dawn,

What a beautiful testimony to your mother, that she raised such a fine family, and that they so lovingly show the respect she surely taught them.

Hootin Anni said...

MORE great photos Dawn. And I love the blog entry [your writing! ---you do such a fantastic job]

Oh and the video. You CAN post it. It's free...sign up for a YOU TUBE account. Upload the video and then either post the video OR the link to the video.

Try it....it won't hurt to try. :o)

Hootin Anni said...

Sure....there is a way with software [some of free online] to edit videos and clip a certain section from a video then upload it....

Here's a cached link:

http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:DyneNYk-tZAJ:www.xatquiz.com/forum/showthread.php%3Ft%3D941+how+to+edit+a+video+on+windows+media+player&cd=10&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

....don't know if this will work, but copy and paste the entire addy and see if the forum/step by step instructions, appear for you. If not, go to Google and search for video editing

Susie said...

Hi Dawn,
Sounds like you've had an exhausting few weeks. The party looks like a great success and a loving tribute to your Mom's 80th!
I enjoyed seeing all the pictures!
Hope you can get a bit of rest now.
xo

Nadine said...

Dawn you must be so tired from all that you have done. I hope that Kristen is feeling better. You are such a good mom, daughter and grandma.

Nancy said...

I hope Kristen is finally better and back to normal and hopefully no one else got sick.

I just love the play pen picture. Our twins have a pack and play that is just a little smaller but it does the same thing. Keeping twins contained has been my biggest obstacle and this does help for a few minutes.

The girls looked precious in the matching dresses. I'm sure you found a bargain at Sams.

Your Mom was truly blessed with this special occasion and even though it looks like an impossible task... you pulled it off and blessed so many in the process.

Laurie in Ca. said...

Love you Dawn and hope you have a wonderful and relaxing weekend. Hoping Kristen is all better now and I am praying for Angie too. Great to see her in the pictures.

Love and Hugs, Laurie

grammy said...

Great post and pictures. Wonderful celebration. I didn't know they made playpens that big anymore. They are usually smaller. I like that one.