My Favorite Birthday Presents

My kids are all the birthday presents I need. Today is my 34th birthday. It is not one of the big ones (like 30 or 40), but after spending the last month helping Braden with his homework for the current math unit (they are studying estimates and rounding), it occurred to me this morning that this is the last birthday that can mathematically be rounded down to 30. Next year, if my age were a math problem, I would be 40! Thank goodness I am not living in a third grade text book!

This morning, as Braden and Lydia were passing my bedroom, they informed me that they were going downstairs. I had been kind of sick last night, and it was still pretty early, so I told them they could go down and watch a movie. A short while later, Liam woke up, so I went downstairs to find this:

They had been so disappointed that Daddy was going to be out of town for my birthday. They wanted to have a party and buy me presents, and bake a cake. He usually helps them with those things, but since he wasn't here, they took matters into their own hands. They never had any intention of watching a movie this morning. They spent the whole time looking for a box, choosing wrapping paper and bows, and preparing a birthday surprise for me.

They wouldn't let me open my gift until they had sung "Happy Birthday" at the top of their lungs. I wasn't sure what to expect when I opened the gift. I have been given many gift-wrapped boxes of rocks, sticks, and other sundry items. But I knew whatever it was, I would treasure it. This is what was in the box:They had bought me these ornaments on a shopping trip with Morgan a few weeks ago, and Braden had hidden them in his room.

They are always very thoughtful like this. They are the most loving, sweet children. But what touched me more than usual, is that I had never expected this birthday to be the least bit special. I had known Morgan would be gone, and I am so far away from anyone who would care to do anything for my birthday, that I had all but forgotten about the day. But Braden and Lydia hadn't, and they made it special just by being my thoughtful, sweet babies.

This time with my children is the real gift. When you think about how short this time with them really is, it puts it all into perspective. If a person lives to be 85, less than a quarter of their life was actually spent living with their parents. An even smaller percentage of time was spent as a small child, and only a year as a small, helpless baby. During those long, sleepless nights with fussy babies, or those drawn-out temper tantrums, each minute can seem like an eternity. But the truth is, they are growing every minute, and each minute is precious. I always knew I wanted to be a mother, and today my precious children reminded me of what a blessing it is to be theirs.