Happy birthday, Mother!

I already said it via Skype, but this lets everybody else know (which is very significant, I'm sure) it's that happy and special day for you. So, I already said a bunch of stuff on Mother's Day and today, let's see what I'm thinking... Well, I'm taking China for the weekend, since her parents are at the hospital working on having that baby :), so, of course, my mind is focused on making sure everything work and personal-related is out of the way and taken care of before I focus on her. I'm so not-used to this "mothering" thing... I had 4 of the kids last night, while their parents are at meetings, and we had a Home happy hour... I opened my beer and then realized, "Wait, how will this at all help my alertness and on-it-ness?" It was relaxed and everyone was sitting around talking, while the kids snacked and played, and they're not that young, but still... I gave the beer away. Then I thought, "Gee, if I had 4 kids, I'd never get a moment of calm -- the realities of life, eek!" And then I consoled myself with the thought that if I had 4 kids, there'd probably be another person involved in all that (heheh and aherm!), so at least it'd be more like keeping track of 2 at a time or something... keeping track of four kids in a house/yard is pretty challenging, unless you make them sit still or stay within the same 5-meter radius, which just isn't fun when it's not "school hours". :) Well, I doubt I'll have to completely give up beer if/when I have kids and will adapt to living a balanced (which, of course, includes beer, aherm -- harhar) life, but when you're not used to the mother thing and/or it's other people's kids... Anyway, all that to say... I do remember when you were single and there were 6 of us... I don't know how you did it, but as with the Mother's Day post, I'm in awe when I think about what you've done in your life and for us and for others... I really hope that this year you'll be repaid in some way(s), great and small, for everything you've given to others (you give not only to your personal family, but to everyone in your Home, the sheep, etc.). I'm looking forward to our visit/trip!!