It's My Birthday...

And I'll blog if I want to.

Today, I'm 16 times 2. Crazy - it feels a lot like sixteen. Except I really am fat now, instead of just thinking I am. But it's for a good cause - those little boys of mine are worth my weight in gold, if I say so myself.

Auntie S bought me this sass-ay new pair of shoes that I wore to church today with one of my favorite black dresses and Husband said I looked fab and it felt like a mucho grande fiesta times two just having him back at church with me.

He gave me a beeYOUtiful silver inlaid bracelet from Molvania and promised a spa day in the next couple weeks while he's at home with the kids. (I like birthdays cuz I can talk about all the stuff I "got" without feeling guilty that I'm not focused on the reason for the season because hey - I am the reason for this season!)

Lots of smiling today - I feel like the County Fair princess who gets to ride on the back of the shpanky convertible waving at everyone along Main Street during the parade. And I didn't even need to Vaseline my teeth to keep the grin alive.

And now for a little birthday memory...

On my seventh birthday, my mom hosted a little get-together for me while (as I realize now) she was about to go into labor. My sister Joeli was born at 1:20 a.m. on September 11th that year. She was the first baby to give me the desire to truly nurture and protect and to make me feel in some small way like a mom. I made up songs for her and rocked her from one end of the house to the other and dropped her on her head once and it made me feel ill. How I loved her from the time she was "my" baby.

She's been an example to me of one who seeks out the lonely and forgotten and becomes their friend, and has always had the perfect balance of humor and seriousness. She has grown into this fabulous woman - beautiful and sweet and talented and funny, and one of the most spiritual and humble and earnest people I know. She has delighted me and lifted me and been one of my "preshies" from the day she came into this world as a birthday present. Happy, happy birthday, to you, too, Roly Poly Joeli Kay - Josephina - Joji Moji - Aunt YoYo - Joeli Green Giant. Hope you have a parade princess day of your own.