happy birthday to me

Yesterday was my birthday and unlike the previous dozen or so birthdays that I spent in New York City, I was home with my family and able to relax.  When Tony kept asking me what I wanted to do for my birthday, I kept thinking I just wanted to be home with my adorable children and handsome husband.

But on Saturday, I would have given anything to have some alone time for just me.  In the morning, I cleaned the house spic and span so I could enjoy a clean and tidy home on my birthday.  By late afternoon, it was a disaster.  The kids were fighting non-stop over toys and Anna was in an especially cranky mood.  Late Saturday afternoon, I texted my favorite massage therapist to see if she could squeeze me in, but alas, I was too last minute.  Then I texted my favorite babysitter around 4:30pm to see if she could watch the kids so we could go see a movie.  Again, too late.

So we ended up spending the day at home with the kids. All day. At home. With fighting, crying kids. On Sunday, Tony tried and tried to create the perfect birthday evening for me, but I ended up on a prolonged birthday phone call and with bedtime for the kids approaching, he ended up bypassing dinner for the two of us and brought out the birthday cake so the kids could sing happy birthday and have a bite of cake before they went to bed.  Then, when we finally had the kids fed and in bed, we had Tony's famous enchiladas.  After dinner, we collapsed on the couch and after a bit of enchilada digesting time, had more ice cream cake, opened presents and went to bed.

But I really wouldn't have it any other way.  Every once in a while, I realize we could be in North Carolina and then a wave of gratitude hits me as I realize, we are meant to be here.  Tony got a new job last week and we are in a better place in so many ways than we were before.  I would have been on my second of three business trips in January and I think this may be the longest I've been home without a business trip in our married life.


So as crazy as some people may think I may be, I wouldn't trade a "relaxing" weekend at home with my kids in our toy-strewn home for a birthday night in New York City.  Because, as they say...there's no place like home.