Another birthday, another year wiser. I'm a numbers freak and couldn't help but notice that this year my birthday has a cool number combo that will never be repeated again.
I feel that each of us is entitled to be king or queen for a day on our birthday. Nothing wrong with that. After all, how many times a year do you get to celebrate the day you were brought into this world? So I'd like to take this time to thank my mom and dad for getting together several decades ago and making it all happen for me. My mom tells me I was three weeks late for her June due date. Wow, can you imagine waiting around an extra three weeks in the middle of a sweltering Mississippi summer for your first baby to be born?
I get really sentimental on birthdays and always enjoy taking a minute to look back at all of the events from that particular year. At first I started thinking about how many challenges we've had. But then realized they were all managed, each one in their own time. And that made me feel grateful. Then I was snared into my perfectionist thinking that I didn't accomplish enough this year [a challenge I sometimes face while I'm out of the working world]. Until....I really started thinking about it. This has been a wonderful year. Full of family adventures and new experiences. And we're all together, healthy and happy. All in tact. What a priceless gift. So what if I'm not in a career making a dust trail behind many achievements? I have a family. And never will I be able to roll back the clock and experience the precious ages of our little ones again.
Besides, a lot happened in one year.
A life was saved.
A baby was born.
Took two trips to New York.
Snuck off to Vegas.
Had family airplane rides, football games, camping trips, and beach fun.
Made two great friends who live all the way up in New York. [love them!]
Even met a new blogging friend from Italy [more on that later].
THE LESSON HERE?
Appreciate each day you're given and cherish your experiences. Just like the unique combination of numbers on my birthday this year, these experiences will never be repeated exactly as they happened. And that makes for quite a memorable year. I'm grateful to have these memories, and each one is a perfect birthday gift.
IN THE MEANTIME...
Someone just delivered these to our hotel room and I think I need to go kiss my husband.
[first photo courtesy of snippet + ink]
Happiest birthday wishes, Seleta! You certainly have had a year-and life-worth celebrating.
Posted by: Elizabeth | July 09, 2009 at 03:54 PM
Happy Birthday Mon Cheri. We will drink champagne tonight in your honor. You are as young and gorgeous as ever.
Posted by: Pierre Vimeur, Comte De Rochambeau | July 09, 2009 at 04:07 PM
I love you sweetheart......Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Peter | July 09, 2009 at 04:08 PM
Precious post and the happiest of birthdays to you! "And never will I be able to roll back the clock and experience the precious ages of our little ones again." Very well said.
Posted by: Granny Smith Green | July 09, 2009 at 04:22 PM
You have had a great year! Happy Birthday, I hope the upcoming one is just as good!!
Posted by: LindsB | July 09, 2009 at 05:17 PM
Happy Birthday- you have accomplished a ton this year- just writing this blog for all of us to enjoy is quite enough!! Love reading of your adventures- Enjoy your day!!!
Posted by: Marcia Smith | July 09, 2009 at 05:25 PM
Happy, Happy Birthday! I hope you have a wonderful day!!!
Posted by: Ann | July 09, 2009 at 05:29 PM
To the happiest of birthdays, Seleta!!
Posted by: Erin | July 09, 2009 at 05:35 PM
Happy Birthday! You have had a most amazing year and should be so proud of yourself! M
Posted by: Michelle S | July 09, 2009 at 06:01 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my new blogging buddy!! Hope you all have a great weekend. love this post, the heartfelt ones are my favorites.XO
Posted by: Laura Casey Interiors | July 09, 2009 at 06:26 PM
happy b'day seleta!
Posted by: Pink Wallpaper | July 09, 2009 at 06:26 PM
i hope your day has been truly special. birthdays are definitely days to feel like a queen and it looks like your royal court has served you well. happy birthday!
Posted by: jae | July 09, 2009 at 06:53 PM
Happy birthday girly!! Hope you are relaxing in true diva style! ;)
Posted by: Ashley | July 09, 2009 at 07:31 PM
I hope you are enjoying your B-day. I just found your blog and I love it. I find you to be such an inspiration. Happy B-day!
Posted by: yansy | July 09, 2009 at 07:47 PM
Hah! You're three days ahead of me!
Happy birthday, Seleta! Hope the year to come will be as good
as the past one - all the best wishes!
Posted by: Geli | July 09, 2009 at 08:13 PM
Seleta....
You have your priorities RIGHT! Family first....the rest later. You will reap the rewards of outstanding children as they grow into fine young people and adults. Career and making whatever mark you thought important is nothing compared to the value of being MOM and wife!
Blessings...
btw...you ALL are gorgeous and I hope your birthday was just as fab as you are!
Posted by: Renae Moore | July 09, 2009 at 08:25 PM
Happy, happy birthday Seleta!!!!
HUGS~
Posted by: CC | July 09, 2009 at 08:36 PM
happy happy birthday dear!
Posted by: megan | July 09, 2009 at 09:32 PM
happy birthday!!! sounds like it was a pretty good year! here's to an even better one! xoxo
Posted by: meaghan easterhaus | July 09, 2009 at 09:40 PM
AW! That is the sweetest last picture! Happy Happy birthday. Congratulations on what looks like (at least from the outside) a wonderful year. You are so right to stop and take notice of all the blessings in life, big and small. Family being the most important... but we can all use that reminder! Yours is a beautiful one. May your new year be full of love, laughter, health and wealth! Kisses from Rome:-)
Posted by: eringianni | July 09, 2009 at 09:41 PM
happy happy birthday seleta! pam
Posted by: pam | July 09, 2009 at 09:41 PM
happy birthday from tracery!
Posted by: doug | July 09, 2009 at 09:42 PM
Happy Birthday sweet Seleta. May you savor each precious day with your beautiful family. LOVE the black and white pic!
Susan.
Posted by: Susan | July 09, 2009 at 11:58 PM
Happy Birthday Seleta - your photo is beautiful!
Posted by: kathy | July 10, 2009 at 12:03 AM
Happy Birthday, Seleta!
Posted by: PJ | July 10, 2009 at 12:44 AM