Good morning on this fabulously fall Friday! Some of you have been following along for quite some time and I have yet to do a Friday Introduction day. Well today just so happens to be a special day in our family because its my birthday! Woooo! I know. I know. I’m an adult and we don’t get birthdays. (insert gigantic eye roll) But in our family birthdays are kind of a big deal. Depending on the year, I may throw an elaborate party for the kiddos or it might be a tiny family shindig, but that’s not the important part. Its my firm belief that we should celebrate each life and praise the Lord for each year we’ve been granted on this side of Heaven.
Its my firm belief that we should celebrate each life and praise the Lord for each year we’ve been granted on this side of Heaven.
The Broken Smile
Hi, my name’s Amanda and I LOVE to celebrate birthdays!
So, on a birthday we usually have a special breakfast chosen by the birthday boy or girl.
Fun Fact #1: I love pancakes. I’m kind of a pancake snob. Annnnd I have a fantastic recipe for some made-from-scratch pancakes that are by far my fam’s favorite. Just sayin’ – they’re delish. I totally had pancakes this morning!
During breakfast we each take turns telling the birthday person why he/she is special to us and how they are a blessing to our family. We pray and thank the Lord for giving us the gift of that person.
Side note: I believe these kinds of life giving words are important on the daily not just a birthday; however, there is something extra sweet when we tie it into the significance of God’s sovereign plan for that person. None of us are accidents. We all, whether wanted or not, are only here by the hand of the God of all Creation. He doesn’t make mistakes. In that we celebrate.
Fun Fact #2: I love balloons! Its just a really simple (and cheap) way to put a smile on someone’s face.
Over the years, we have given balloons to each kid in fun ways. One year I blew up probably 20+ balloons and scattered them all about the floor of our daughter’s bedroom while she was sleeping. We were awakened before dawn with loads of giggles! For our middle, we made it rain balloons from the ceiling when he opened his bedroom door. His smile and Big Sister’s excitement over the anticipation of blessing her little brother – priceless. Or sometimes its just a really cute mylar balloon.
Someone once told me that I set the bar too high for birthdays and that I’ll have to top it each year. No. I don’t believe that to be true. I believe that we should teach our children to have the same gratitude in the little blessings as in the big ones. Because guess what y’all, the Lord does not give out the same blessings to everyone. How do we as adults respond? Are we content with what we are given? OR do we tend to side-eye our neighbor and let that jealousy root take hold in our hearts? I know I’ve been guilty of the latter. So why wouldn’t we use these situations as a teachable moment for our children? Practice contentment and gratitude in all things that the Lord has given us, rather than coveting what He has given our neighbor.
Usually, we wrap the day up with special one-on-one snuggles with the birthday kid…or all the kids if its Mommy 0r Daddy’s birthday…and we recount the stories of how we found out we were expecting the birthday child and the events of their birth. Currently our oldest is the only one that really understands this, but she loves it and belly laughs every year we tell her story. She’ll be 9 in December.
Fun Fact #3: I never really dreamed of being a mom. However, the moment I met my eldest…well, to say it was life changing sounds really clichѐ, but now there’s nothing else I’d rather be.
Fun Fact #4: I’m a child of the 80s and had a bowl cut like my older brother from the time I first got hair until…maybe 1st grade. #thanksmom 😛 Anyway, there’s pictures. They’re hilarious. I may share some in the future for kicks and giggles. haha
Fun Fact #5: I’m a straight shooter. Ha my husband will tell people that my love language to him is brutal honesty. That may or may not have gotten me into a good bit of trouble as a kid. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit has helped me temper that with love. Although, truth be told, its something I have to keep in check. So don’t ask me, if you don’t want the truth. Just gonna go ahead and throw that out there. 😉
So, now you know a little bit of our family birthday tradition and a few fun facts about me! What are your birthday traditions? Comment below! I love to hear how others celebrate within their families! Thanks for stopping by!
For His glory,
The Broken Smile 