When I was a child I never understood why when I would ask my mom what she wanted for her birthday she always said things like...I don't want anything.....I just want to spend the day together....I just want something you have made.
It is so interesting how things change as you get older.
I now understand what she was saying.
She was asking for time.
She was asking for the things that really matter.
I understand that "things" are nice but there are many ways to make a person feel special and loved.
The kids and Kelly had been asking me what I wanted for my birthday and I didn't ask for anything monetary because I have this amazing trip to France coming up and lets be honest....that exceeds the anniversary, Christmas, Valentine's Day, birthday budget!
I did ask to go hiking because it is truly one of my most favorite things to do.
I also asked for my car to be cleaned out because my car can become the most disgusting vehicle of anyone I know.
I don't know how it gets so bad. It gets to the point that a door is opened and random junk falls out...I wish I were exaggerating.
Seriously....I love a clean car...I just am not very good at keeping it clean.
On Wednesday morning I came downstairs to a Starbucks, breakfast and presents on the table.
Jack wrote me a letter telling me what he loves about me...he said I would love it the most and he was so right.
Madolyn bought me tampons because she thought it would be hilarious....what the heck??
I WAS running low.
Benjamin picked out an awesome water bottle for me because I am always losing them and I love to carry water with me everywhere.
Kelly bought me a pile of all the trashy magazines that I buy when he is out of town.
TRUE confession here...I love nothing more than buying the gossipy mags when he is gone, going to bed early and just reading brainless garbage.
Do not judge me...and if you want to know anything about J Lo, Justin Timberlake etc...I MAY be your girl.
I made sure he didn't get me subscriptions because I would be too embarrassed. I even put them face down when I checkout...like that makes them invisible or something.
Kelly got me a massage and I can not wait to use it. In fact, I am a little surprised that I haven't already gone in. I hope heaven is just one long spa treatment.
There was one more present on the table.
It didn't take much unwrapping until I began to cry...ok...bawl.
As I was unwrapping I was crying,"we can't afford this" and he was trying to reassure me that yes we could.
I still know were a million other things that we should have done with that money but I felt so spoiled.
Kelly still thinks I like the water bottle the best because I am constantly using it and telling Benjamin how awesome it is.
Kelly will pipe up with, "how about that awesome camera I got you"?
So even though I got an amazing gift I truly felt special and loved in all the ways that really matter.
Nothing beats a letter written by my son expressing his heart...and what a tender heart it is.
Nothing made me laugh more than Madolyn's sense of humor and the tampons. She thought it was the funniest thing and it made it even funnier.
Knowing that little Benjamin picked out the water bottle was so sweet.
Knowing that my husband went in late to work so he could make me breakfast made me feel special and loved.
Things are nice...but being lavished in love is even better!
what an amazing moment for you!!! to be cherished FOREVER!!! i am sooo happy for you!!
BTW....HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Posted by: lynnef | May 16, 2010 at 03:14 AM
Happy Belated Birthday! What a special birthday your family gave you, each one seems to have put so much thought into their gift. A wonderful day full of love.
xx, Michelle
Posted by: Michelle | May 16, 2010 at 06:08 AM
What Jeannie wants, Jeannie gets!!
Posted by: Allison S | May 16, 2010 at 06:15 AM
What a beautiful story of you family that is so relatable! Happy birthday!
Posted by: Shelley Overholt | May 16, 2010 at 06:38 AM
Happy birthday!!!! It sounds like your day was filled with AMAZING moments, laughs and YOUR DREAM CAMERA!!!!! WOOHOOOOoo! What a phenomenal day!!!! :)
Posted by: Janet! | May 16, 2010 at 07:27 AM
I'm so glad you had a very nice birthday. enjoy the lovely present in france! (the camera not the water bottle) ha!
Posted by: lissa | May 16, 2010 at 07:44 AM
Happy Birthday! It sounds like it was absolutely fabulous, filled with love and thoughtfulness. It sounds perfect. Theresa
Posted by: Theresa | May 16, 2010 at 07:47 AM
What a sweet post about a sweet and loving family. You are loved and very blessed. Happy birthday! Looking forward to seeing your photos of your trip to Paris with your new camera. How exciting!
Posted by: Suzanne@NotesfromthePatch | May 16, 2010 at 07:59 AM
Wow..sounds like an amazing birthday. You are so blessed to have such a wonderful family. I love getting gifts from my kids that they make themselves or they come up with...without daddy's help. Happy Birthday. Terri
Posted by: terri | May 16, 2010 at 09:17 AM
What an amazing birthday...even more, what an amazing family! To be loved so much & so well, that is really the best gift:) Happy Belated Birthday!
Posted by: Leah C | May 16, 2010 at 09:17 AM
oh jeanne that is the sweetest birthday ever... you are soo blessed my friend !!! love you !
Beth
Posted by: beth | May 16, 2010 at 09:35 AM
sounds like you had a wonderful birthday and those gifts are great except for maybe the tampons, lol :)
Posted by: shannon | May 16, 2010 at 11:09 AM
Jeanne,
You NEED that camera for your trip to France!! :) (Duh!) I have a 20D and I am starting to get itchy for a new one. I love it, but the more I shoot in manual and the more I learn...well, I covet.
Bad.
I LOVE that Madolyn got you tampons!! hahaha. Brilliant girl! I want our families to be friends! :)
Posted by: Courtney Walsh | May 16, 2010 at 11:11 AM
So sweet, Jeanne. I am THRILLED that you are going on the trip to France. How wonderful that you will have a special camera!
You have your head and heart in the right place!
Suz
Posted by: Suz Reaney | May 16, 2010 at 11:15 AM
A great man indeed...that Kelly. How awesome that you will have a new camera for your trip of a lifetime!
BTW I am the same with the trashy magazines. You should see the pile I'm taking with me to Miami. Is there anything better?? Love you girl. So glad you had a very blessed birthday. You soooo deserve it:)
Posted by: Becky @ Farmgirl Paints | May 16, 2010 at 11:15 AM
What an amazing birthday Jeanne ~ you are one special lady for sure! Cannot wait to see the pictures you take in France with that new camera. I think my fav would be the letter ~ that's a keeper for sure.
Posted by: Lori | May 16, 2010 at 11:19 AM
Oh, what a great post. Happy Birthday to you! You are richly blessed. Have a great time in France snapping away with your new camera. Have a blessed day.
Posted by: Elisa | May 16, 2010 at 12:27 PM
Happy Birthday Jeanne! Sounds like the perfect day with beautiful people, you lucky girl! :-)
Posted by: Annette Q | May 16, 2010 at 03:21 PM
First off, Happy Birthday Jeanne! Next, you have an awesome family who know how to make a girl feel loved and special...and I totally understand the "spending time" together thing. Nothing grows love more than good ole' spending time together, especially without all of our technical toys that can take away our attention from one another.
Sounds like your family knows what a wonderful and special person they have in their momma and wife.
Lee Ann
Posted by: Lee Ann | May 16, 2010 at 05:05 PM
Well, I hate buying tampons - they are such a grocery budget breaker! She's a smart one, that Madolyn. And funny. And practical.
Happy birthday, friend.
Posted by: Flower Patch Farmgirl | May 16, 2010 at 05:39 PM
Happy Birthday sweet girl! It sounds like you had a wonderful day... and you deserve it! Your family sure knows you well - their lovely gestures and sense of humour (Madolyn is a keeper!) show the specialness of your relationship.
Happy Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Rachel | May 16, 2010 at 06:21 PM
Happy Birthday! What a precious post. Trashy mags are a vice for me too! Have a wonderful week!
Posted by: Gina | May 16, 2010 at 06:36 PM
Time is worth so much more than any gift.... your children and your hubby know you very well. Love all the thought behind all your gifts. Love how you share your feelings with us. Love that you are so real. You are amazing and I am so happy you had a wonderful birthday!!!!! Hugs,Amy
Posted by: Amy Muffoletto | May 16, 2010 at 07:08 PM
You are obviously a special lady! I love to read trashy magazines too. Can't wait to see results of new camera.
Happy Birthday!!
Posted by: Debra | May 16, 2010 at 08:43 PM
Sounds like your day was a keeper...
....H*A*P*P*Y* B*I*R*T*H*D*A*Y.....
...........Smile on Rosie...........
Posted by: Rosie | May 16, 2010 at 09:08 PM