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It’s my birthday tomorrow, and today’s 5 Fact Friday is a sort of letter to myself. But, as usual, the photos are going to pretty much just focus on Sophie. Because, well, she’s cuter than I am. And it’s too tricky to take pictures of myself. Enjoy!
1. Self, you’re turning 26. That’s closer to 30 than 20. Also, you’re a mother of 1 1/2 babies. One of each flavor (boy/girl). When did this happen? Ruminate on the subject.
2. Three cheers for you, self! You can do hard things! This last year or so has been especially important in the development of your relationship with God. I hope you remember that the more you’ve relied on Him and tried to be near Him, the more peace you’ve felt in your life. Keep it up. You’ll just keep feeling better and better.
3. Please be nice to yourself. See what I did there? I used the word “please” when I asked you to be nice. It’s easy sometimes (especially since becoming a mother) to allow the stinging or sharp things others say (especially about your parenting) hurt you. Stop it. It’s okay that you use disposable diapers. Mother nature forgives you. You do lots of other nice things to help her out. Also, may I just remind you that you watched tv as a child and you graduated with highest honors in high school and second highest honors in college. You are smart and capable AND you knew the words to lots of Disney movies and old musicals from a young age. It’s okay to let Sophie watch things on days where you need to rest. Let it go. Move on. Be nice.
4. Self, you should really keep learning new things. Since college, you’ve learned lots of new things. Things like how to use the manual setting on your camera, how to love exercise, and how browned butter is like magic sauce. Way to go, girl. Especially on the browned butter and the exercise. Both will serve you well. Just think how many glorious discoveries are out there waiting for you! As they say in the movie Up!, “Adventure is out there!”
5. Happy birthday, girl! Have a dance party, set some goals, eat good food with abandon, and snuggle your husband and baby. Life is good. YOUR life is good. Happy birthday and many happy returns.
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
Happy Birthday, dearest sister. You are incredible and I ditto everything in your letter to you! You CAN do hard things! Your daughter is going to turn out swimmingly well and all those people who make you feel bad will have me to deal with someday
I hope your day is as lovely as you (tomorrow). Love, Love, Love you!
Lovey
I love you and I am so glad you were born. You are amazing. I hope that you have a great day. I love your wisdom. Sophie is a lucky little girl to have you for a mom. Keep up the great work.
Cute. I loved your comment about TV… sometimes I feel so guilty putting on a movie for June. But sometimes I need to cook dinner? Or clean up? Or SHOWER?
Happy Birthday my Darling Emily!
You’ve been doing hard things your whole life – in fact, you’re really good at pressing forward with faith that all your hard work will pay off, and it does.
You are a joy and a bright light in a sometimes dark world, and are incredibly admired and loved where ever you go, but especially by your family! I hope you have a wonderful day tomorrow!
**********************
These may be some of my very favorite Sophie pictures. It took my breath away to see her eyes filled with such awe and wonder and pure delight.
Happy Birthday Emily! You are an amazing woman! I’m so glad I shared a few college classes with you. I always loved your comments.
Happy Birthday Emily! I love 5 fact Friday! I love the pictures of Sophie. I can’t wait till Baby Brother makes his appearance. Miss you!
I am admittedly a bit of a lurker… but in the nicest possible way. I knew your sister Elisabeth in jr./high school, and got connected with your blog on FB. I really love it. I enjoy your recipes, your perspective, and your thoughts on parenting. I have a 13-month-old daughter.
I really love this post. Thank you for your thoughtful words. It really resonated with me. I need to remember many of these things myself.
Happy Birthday.
Becky
HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILY DEAR. HAPPY DAYS WILL COME TO YOU ALL YEAR. IF I HAD ONE WISH THEN IT WOULD BE A HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU FROM ME.
Happy Early Birthday! Ditto to Everything above! You are such a strong, kind, beautiful (real-live grown-up) woman. Anyone who says differently is either jealous, intimidated, or just plain mean-spirited. Your daughter is one of the most beautiful baby girls on the planet, and you do an AMAZING job with her. Her little brother is going to be one lucky little guy to have such an fantastic Mom!
To add to Jordan’s comment…anyone that has anything negative to say about you or your parenting will not only be dealing with Jordan, but Chad and I. No one messes with my Family….I know Karate!
Love you and have a fantabulous birthday tomorrow!
My children watch WAY more tv than is good for them, and I like them a lot better than 99.1% of children in the general populous. Also, I am still (arguably) sane. So, I say whatever it takes to ensure that all my children and I survive each day. That’s what it’s really all about. Also, you are fabulous. You can’t help it. It’s just what happens when you have some Orton in ya. I hope you have a great birthday! I’ll eat the last piece of fresh peach pie in your honor.
I hope you have a most splendid birthday! It seems like an awfully good day to be born, in my opinion…
Have fun cookin and relaxing!
I hope you have a wonderful birthday! I don’t *know* you in real life but from this blog, the pictures, etc you really are a wonderful person and mother. My daughter is almost 14 months so I love reading your blog and seeing what I’ll have in a few months.
Oh….I use disposable diapers and let my daughter watch a little tv. Heck yeah!
Bless you.
Love=You+darling Sophie pictures+this post
Happy Birthday for tomorrow! I don’t really ‘know’ you but I love your blog and you! Your life echoes my own in so many ways just a year or two ahead of mine (it was my birthday last week) and I love watching my little girl starting to do the things I read Sophie was doing a few months ago
I hope you have a lovely day taking it easy and snuggling your lovely family
xxx
This was so sweet. And who on earth is commenting on your parenting? Shame on them. You are a wonderful mother and you will teach that girl and boy all that you know and that is what matters.
Happy happy birthday! FYI I grew up watching tv and wearing disposables and I think the world is still turning. You go girl! I don’t know you in real life, but you are a great (and smart and creative) mama!
oh this is so lovely! my 26th birthday is next week and i think i’m going to write myself a letter! those are all great things to remember! those pictures of sophie are so cute!
Happy Birthday! Your blog and recipes have been some of the things that have helped me in the middle of being newly married and living far away from my family for the first time. Thanks for all you do and for spreading some of your sunshine into my life!
Amen! You are a wonderful daughter, daughter-in-law, sister, sister-in-law, wife, and mother, and you have gathered wisdom in your 26 years that is far beyond those years. Thank you for sharing your life and your thoughts (and your recipes) with the rest of us so openly and faithfully! This web site is a happy landing place for so many.