Birthday Blessings

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Jenny Matlock's Warm Heart Wednesday is here again, and these two little rascals are always good for inspiring that warm and fuzzy feeling in Grandma's heart. They are a year old today, and what immeasurable joy they have brought to our lives!

I hope you'll agree that these munchkins are just about as cute as they come!
(In the event you don't agree, feel free to fake it.)

;)

Marking Marvelous Moments

MARRIED 43 YEARS TODAY

Darlene and Dick

A lot of you old-timers at Sue's News are BIG fans of my formerly blogging mom, so I thought you'd enjoy seeing this 43rd wedding anniversary pic of her with her sweetheart. Aren't these two a cute pair? They even got kinda matchy-matchy with their outfits in honor of the occasion. Dave and I just returned home from visiting the lovebirds last weekend, and we can testify that they are about as happy a couple as you are going to find. Hope they have a TERRIFIC day together. ♥

6 MONTHS OLD TODAY

Melina and Alcide

Can't believe our miracle babies are half-a-year old already. Where on earth do those first six months go, anyway?! As you can see, these two are growing up to be as beautiful/handsome as might be expected of my grandchildren (heehee). Grandpa and I are having LOTS of fun with them, and they truly are keeping us young! Well…youngish, anyway. ♥ ♥

;)

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Wonderful Women

My cute mom with one of my sisters 

When it comes right down to it, a lot of us would say our moms are pretty great. Mine, however, is in a class by herself. (I may be a bit prejudiced on this point.) Tomorrow she will be 88 years old, and my siblings (including the one pictured above) and I will be spending the weekend with her to celebrate. Needless to say, we are all looking forward to the occasion!

As you can see, Mom looks terrific. I wish she felt equally terrific physically, but as you can see, she chooses to go through life with a smile on her face….enjoying her family and friends and living in the moment. She has had a year of great struggles and great blessings, but I'm sure she would say the blessings have won the battle for her heart. You see, in the past year she has become the proud great grandmother of three sets of twins. That's right, THREE sets! Can you imagine?? I don't think she ever did, not in her wildest dreams, but that doesn't stop her from being the proudest "GG" ever…and certainly the best!

The darling two-month-old twins contributed by my daughter are pictured below:

 Melina

Alcide

I'd show you the other two sets of twins as well, but their grandma (another of my sisters) doesn't like having family photos on the internet, so you will just have to imagine how cute they are (two boys, and a boy and a girl). Our family has been richly blessed this year.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM. 

Sure do love you.

=)

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A Little Birthday Bird Told Me...

Some mothers know just what to do

to build a cozy nest.

They know where every twig belongs

and choose only the best.

Their young are nurtured carefully

in colors warm and bright.

To comfort and protect them brings

these mothers pure delight.

They gather feed to fit each need,

 

till every mouth is filled.

Their eyes are ever watchful, and

their love songs never stilled.

How wonderful such mothers are. 

What beauty they impart.

How blessed the little ones they bear

and care for, heart to heart.

Dedicated to my mother, Darlene Robbins,

and her very cozy

Robbins Nest ~

where every child 

finds love enough

to grow. 

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Would you be mad if I told

everyone how old you are today?

Because you sure don't look 87!

;)

We love you.

Sue, Dave, and the FAM

(Are you wearing your new necklace??)

Turning 64!

Thanks to The Beatles for giving me a tune to customize for my hubby in celebration of his advancing age... ;)

TO THE BIRTHDAY BOY – NOW YOU'RE 64!

Now that you're older, losing your hair,

I don't mind at all.

You will ever after be my valentine.

Happy birthday; we're doin' fine.

When I stay up till quarter till three,

you don't lock the door.

I'll always need you; sometimes, I'll feed you.

Now you're 64!

(Sure, I'm older, too.

Still when May comes around this year,

I'm just 62.)

You're mighty handy, changing a bulb

when my light is gone.

So I'll watch your movies by the fireside,

praise your car when we take a ride.

You tend the garden, yanking up weeds.

Who could ask for more?

I'll always need you; sometimes I'll feed you.

Now you're 64!

Shall we keep on renting beachfront houses down in Newport Beach,

our old heads to clear?

(Steep at half the price!)

You'll have grandchildren on your knee…

"J," Carli, and Bryce.

Send me no postcard; drop me no line.

Never leave my view.

Keep on saying all the little things you say.

Love me truly, day after day.

Help me with numbers; fill in tax forms.

Mine forevermore.

I'll always need you; sometimes I'll feed you.

Happy 64!

I LOVE YOU!

=)

Sue

Quick update on the poetry website: It's almost ready to go online, and you will be the first to know when it does! Thanks for being so patient with me while I'm gone.

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When I'm Sixty-One

I'm three days late with this birthday poem to me, but who's counting?

When I'm Sixty-One
©2013 Susan Noyes Anderson


A happy birthday to myself!

I just turned sixty-one.

I'd like to say that things are great

and getting old is fun.

Instead, I'm going to vent a bit

and set the record straight.

Let's hope my aging brain kicks in

enough to concentrate!

I'm sad to say my memory

(which used to be top notch)

meanders now, like someone who

just drained a fifth of scotch.

It's up and down; it's in and out;

it's neither here nor there.

My brain is leaking grey matter

directly to my hair!

(That would account, I do believe,

for certain color changes.)

No doubt whatever youth dispenses,

old age rearranges.

Or maybe I should say exchanges:

satin-smooth for rough,

firm for saggy, round for wrinkled,

dewy/dry, soft/rough.

Enough! The years take liberties

with me, without consent.

No potion, pill, or lotion seems

to lessen the extent.

So here's my new position, just

because I like to win:

Bring it on, Age! Make me crusty.

Who needs silky skin?

And with thesaurus close at hand,

what use is word recall?

Hey, old is the new young, you know.

Why stand, when you can crawl?

;)

"Age is an issue of mind over matter.

If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."

Mark Twain

Thankful: How Sweet It Is!

T is for thankful, because that's what I am!

And I've got a happy birthday poem for my hubby to prove it.

♥♥♥

How sweet it is to be loved by you.

We started back in '72.

(Oops, make that 1968,

the golden year of our first date.)

I won't recite the history.

Our hearts know well the mystery

of how we met and fell so fast

that both of us knew we would last.

But this poem has a different plan:

explaining why you are the man

who lights me up, my only one.

You are the moon and stars and sun.

Here are the reasons, in a list,

why you're the guy I can't resist:

You put me first. When I feel cursed,

you run for aid...(light lemonade).

You save my place, yet give me space.

You meet my needs with love and grace.

You give in when I need to win,

but show spine when I'm out of line.

When my shoe-pile reason defies,

you shut your eyes and organize.

If I'm unhinged by writing binge,

you rub my shoulders, hard as boulders.

You show concern at every turn,

yet tease me in a way that smolders.

I know you look at me and see

that little girl that rocked your world.

I look at you and see the same,

the boy who offered me his name

and every other thing he had.

That you were born makes me so glad

I cannot find words in my mind

to even partially define

how sweet it is to be loved by you.

No wonder that I love you, too!

=)

Happy Birthday, Dave.

XOX

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Birthday Snake

 

Yes, folks, that's a real, live snake from my grandson's fifth birthday party. And the whole thing made him very happy, as you can see. (But am I wrong in noting just the slightest bit of anxiety in that great, BIG smile?) I am told this rather affectionate boa constrictor wrapped himself right around our birthday boy and started squeezing hugging! And I'll bet Mr. Snake was a heavy load to carry around, too!!

But all's well that ends well, and Bryce has survived to enjoy all the wonderful birthdays to come. Now if we could just get him to wear a helmet on his skateboard!

=)

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The Birthday Girl: a microfAction

Jenny's Saturday Centus prompt really moves me this morning because my own mom is 85 years old, and I feel grateful. I remember her turning 80 with much joy, but I also remember feeling no small amount of trepidation as my beloved mother became "someone in her eighties." How could it be? 

Five years later I have learned to just go with the flow and leave my mother's continued blessing of longevity in God's hands. That's where it belongs, after all, and He can be trusted. In fact, I am assured that the very hairs of her head are numbered, and not one of them will fall to the ground without the Father (see Matthew 10:29-30). So I guess He's got the situation well in hand.

The little story below isn't exactly how I felt...maybe I embellished it a bit. But when my mom turned 80, I definitely began to appreciate the time I have with her in a whole new way.

 Love you, Mom!

(the prompt, as always, is in red below)

∞§∞

 

 The Birthday Girl

©2013 Susan Noyes Anderson

My mother turned eighty today, and I haven't quite liked it. 70 didn't phase me in the least (her own mom lived to be 83), but moving into this new decade makes me uneasy. I can no longer deny that the woman who gave me breath is aging...cannot even pretend her years aren't piling up faster than I want them to accumulate. Time stops for no one; I know. But can't an exception be made for my beautiful mom?

Oh sure, we all got together, ate cake and Mexican food, celebrated merrily. 80 years is a blessing––a milestone she handled with grace, her middle name. 

Less grace from yours truly. I can't sleep tonight. (the clock's ticking)

∞§∞

Birthday Bulletin: 60 and Counting!

Send flowers. It's my birthday.

I'm sixty years, all told.

Some call me wise and wonderful,

but I just call me old.

The wrinkles that once graced my brow

are marching down, by threes.

Confined to brow, they charmed me...

but en masse, they're enemies.

(And things I should not mention here

are dropping to my knees.)




And yet, I'm stoic as can be,

though hair escapes my head.

Some follicles I have are frail,

while others are quite dead.

What's more, "dark blond" has turned "bright white."

(Does that give me age cred?)

If so, I'm credible indeed.

But what a price to pay!

I'm sixty and I know it.

(My hips tell me every day.)

They still move when I get my groove on,

but they creak! Oy vey.

So step right up; let's party down.

(I'm old, not DOA!)


©2012 Susan Noyes Anderson


;)


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It's a Good Day!

This is our good-looking son, Todd, the over-worked med student who is jumping into his thirties today. Can't believe the Andersons are fresh out of twenty-somethings. Kinda scary!

Todd is taking a little break this weekend to visit his old undergrad stomping grounds in Arizona. He will be a groomsman for his good friend, who is tying the knot tomorrow. I hope they make a little bit of a fuss over the birthday boy at the rehearsal dinner tonight! (Of course, he hopes they make no fuss at all!!)

At any rate, I did want to make a little fuss here, and I know that all of you will be good enough to indulge me.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TODD!

WE LOVE YOU!!

=)