Showing posts with label sharing a birthday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sharing a birthday. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Birthday Presents

Our family creatively approaches gifts.

We don't, generally, have wish lists or buy "wish" items. Instead, we keep interests and the element of surprise in mind and then give from the heart.

That said, here are some of the lovely birthday presents I received these last couple days.



A fish and water scene (left) and a mermaid (right) that my granddaughter Jessica made in Vacation Bible School. Note the heart shape in the fish scene near the bottom left. I love all the blues!



We don't each much red meat in our family, but I do like a nice steak a couple times a year. Timothy, who did all the grilling on Sunday, came home with a great one when he went to the store with Joshua. Both boys were pleased with their purchase. And since Timothy is a chef, he had to show me the raw beef and point out all its wonderful attributes that made it a great steak.

And, yes, because I'm a mom, I shared a few pieces with Christopher and Joshua, who both love steak and whose budgets haven't allowed for steak in years.




Jasmine and Rebekah made this BryonySeries cake, which I shared at The Herald-News yesterday. Yes, it was too much cake for me to finish, but Jasmine's goal is to own her own bakery, so any chance I can show off her efforts, I do.

Two employees did ask for her information, so I sent them the link to her Facebook page. Here it is:
https://www.facebook.com/sugarnspiceandeverything/



Jasmine and Rebekah also made me this cat blanket. Yes, I own cats (rather, they own us), but white cats are also a BryonySeries trope. The blanket is purrfectly soft and fits nicely on my bed.



This lovely purple rose preserved in glass came from Cindy and her son Justin.



Rebekah wanted to take me to a paint night at the Book and Bean Cafe last night to paint mermaids, but it wasn't in her budget. So she assembled this kit so we can have our own painting time.



These three grandchildren on the floor (from left: Riley, Jessica, and Ezekiel), called me at work to sing "Happy Birthday" along with Joshua and Amber (standing in the background, right).

The handsome young man on the stairs is another grandson, Micah.



And then Riley wanted to sing "Happy Birthday" to me, while I sang it to her, alternating the verses. The best part was when we got to "Happy Birthday, dear Riley," and then she sang in a sweet little voice, "Happy Birthday, Grandma Baran," and then we sang the last line together.




When I arrived home from work, this card from my sister, featuring a picture of me and Faith, was waiting for me.

Have a beautiful day, readers, writers, and BryonySeries fans. ;)


Monday, July 24, 2017

July 15: Sharing a Birthday with a Granddaughter

When I was a child, I used to check the list of "famous birthdays" in a magazine that came inside The Herald-News, but (at least back in the day), no one of importance was ever listed for July 15.

That changed last year with the birth of my second granddaughter, partly by God's design, partly by my daughter-in-law Amber's decision. You see, when Amber learned her due date was near my birth date, she let her doctor know her goal was to schedule her third C-section on that day.

Everything worked out according to plan. One year later, family and friends gathered at a Morris park to commemorate the two "Maries:" Riley Marie, named after her grandmother; and Denise Marie, named after her grandmother.

It was a great day.



The birthday girl Riley Marie telling the world she's No.1!



(Top and below): Riley's big brother Ezekiel and her big sister Jessica enjoy the balloons.





Riley's cousin and my grandson Micah.



Another cousin and grandson: Micah's little brother Zechariah.



My youngest son "Uncle Daniel" pushes Ezekiel on the merry-go-round.



Soon the others want to ride, too. My oldest son Christopher does the honors. In the background is Riley's dad (my son Joshua) and my sister and only sibling Karen.





Ezekiel "helps" Riley blow out her candle.



Jessica patiently waits for more cake.



Riley thoroughly enjoys her birthday cake.



Riley opens her presents with the help of her sister Jessica and her mother Amber.



Riley's dad tries out one of her new toys.



Riley has fun with her Aunt Rebekah (my youngest daughter).