Whitnee's journey with Christ

Yesterday I told my boys that this year I wanted cards for my birthday because on previous years I don’t get the hand made cards written out of love- to be honest I barely get a Happy Birthday from them.

I remembered years ago I was kind of sad because no one really told me happy birthday, it’s like it was just another day. So I called my mom and asked her if she wasn’t going to tell me happy birthday. She sarcastically said “Happy Birthday Whitnee’, and then she went on to say “when you have kids it’s not about you anymore- it’s about them.” I took what she said to heart and maybe I read into what she was saying to much.

Years later my birthday just became another day. There was nothing special about it and I really hadn’t had a reason to celebrate. Sure Rico or Ezelda tried to “surprise” me with a party but I guess I got so used to making sure my kids had a blast for their birthdays I didn’t know what it felt like to feel “special on mine.” I adopted the attitude that as long as my kids are happy- I’m straight. Deep down inside there has been an emptiness though and I guess my youngest son, William, felt it.

Out of excitement they asked what I was going to do for my birthday and as always my answer was nothing. They replied “but mom you have to do something it’s your birthday.” I told them I wanted to have a girls night out and go bowling and the first thing they said was “can we come please mom?!!!” If only they knew that I hadn’t had any time to myself since before the pandemic started. I mean sure I have my self care time once or twice a month where I get my hair and nails done but I mean no time I could really let my hair down and just be Whitnee’ with no strings attached.

So anyway, I guess they wanted me to feel special so they each took their time and wrote me cards. They bickered over whose card was best, I told them I loved all of them but to be honest it was something about William’s card that was special to me. I felt like God was speaking through my son. William’s card said this to me:

My baby boy told me to have some faith and that my dreams would come true. He has seen his mom work tirelessly to work through this home buying process and he has seen me on the weary days BUT on my birthday God used my kids to encourage me! Now If that isn’t the best gift money can’t buy I don’t know what is!!!

I’m my worst critic and often times I think I am not doing a good job raising and teaching my boys like they should be taught. I feel like I invest too much time doing nothing and I waist valuable time that I could be teaching them things to help build their character, teach them integrity, compassion, how to love others, teach them the word of God, etc. I guess out of all my lecturing, they do listen.

It was a proud mommy moment!

This has been the best birthday EVER and to think I’m writing this at midnight and the day hasn’t even begun yet.

I’m just so thankful God used my precious babies to put a stamp on my heart. These cards and what they symbolize to me are worth every tear I have shed lately (trust me I’ve shed enough to fill Lake Murray Dam)!

So now I’ve got my day planned out- it’s not going to be another drag of a birthday. No sir!!!! I have training for work, a meeting with my new supervisor, volunteering for a few hours, then my boys and I are going to go shoot some hoops and enjoy a few arcade games. I guess Rico can tag along for this one lol. They have put the HAPPY back in my birthday and from this day forward we are going to party like rockstars even if it is not a “planned eventful day!”

Just having Rico and the kids to share life with and my mom, family, friends, and loved ones is a reason to scream and shout as I thank God for another year of life. So no this isn’t a sad message; yet a very blunt one to show how foolish I have been.

Special shout out and thanks to Micah, Emmanuel, and William for the special cards given to me a day earlier to show how much you love your mommy! Come to think of it was probably all a part of their plan to go to the arcade…well it worked!!

That’s all folks….I’ve got a birthday to enjoy! Like William said WE JUST HAVE TO HAVE SOME FAITH! 🥳🎊💃🏻💜🥳🥳🥰🤗🎊💃🏻