CREATE . . .

Wait! Stop and Hold your horses. Before you read this post you need to turn off the music on the side of my blog. Seriously. If you don't this post just will NOT be a pleasant experience. Believe me on this one.

Along with everything else that made my birthday absolutely wonderfuls, my good friend Jessica told me about this video clip on good ol' youtube, and then she sent me the link because she's one of those friends that really makes my life great. (thanks)

I hope you enjoy this clip as much as I did. Its thought provoking, inspiring and I just love President Uchtdorf. Its a dandy for sure.

Betcha can't guess what's going to be on my new 'to do' list from now on . . .

29 is definitely the new 63 . . .

First and foremost I just have to say that my eternal companion absolutely rocks. and I love him. Even if he hacks into my blog and pleas for comments . . . . Love you babe.


So I turned the ripe old age of 29 yesterday yet I feel much, much older right now. At least my body does. -sigh- I'm falling apart and I'm getting wrinkly... shouldn't that start happening when I'm in my sixties? I'm not saying sixty is old by any means, its just by then I'm sure to have grandkids and then I could at least justify falling apart a little bit better. Oh well--stiff upper lip, right?

Now more about my simply amazing birthday.
Not only did Greg break into my computer and put up an extra cheesy picture of me, he and the fam gave me breakfast in bed along with the best gift ever (see above). These lovely shoes have been sitting in my closet for almost two months now just waiting for my birthday morning so I can enjoy their eco-friendliness and I'm not sure that's even a word.

I'm Seriously excited about these beauties though-- not only because the color puts a smile on my face but more importantly they're so stinkin' comfortable (see I told you I'm getting old).

The rest of my birthday was spent taming a wicked bad headache, answering phone calls, greeting unexpected visitors at my door, smiling everytime I got a comment on my blog and feeling majorly popular because of facebook. I even got to go to 2 hours of physical therapy. um, Yay?

After physical therapy, I went to my in-law's where they had put together my all time favorite dinner in a 'to go' box so I could just take it home to eat it with my family. Isn't that just the best present ever? And then upon arriving home, I found Greg doing the finishing touches on the home made cake that he and the girls made. He even made the delicious lemony orange frosting from scratch. I know, I'm spoiled.

and Just for the record... there are, in fact, 29 candles on the cake. I wasn't, however, able to blow all of them out. maybe next year.

It was such a great birthday.

If it was pain free, it would have been the perfect.

and yes, I'm fully aware of the appearance of myself, my kids and my house in the last picture. Its as real as it gets. paper plates, pouts and all. gotta love it.

Happy Birthday Debra!!!!!

Hello, this is Greg, husband of the birthday girl taking over her blog. In an amazingly melodic voice, Happy Birthday to you . . . . Hey everyone it's Debra's Birthday!
Please wish her the best Birthday! She's really been through it lately and deserves a great year ahead. Post or give her a call if you like.
I love you Debra!
your hubby.

itty bitty ball . . .

I witnessed one of the most adorable sites yesterday and it came in the form of about 50 three and four year olds running laps in a big gymnasium, doing stretches, jumping jacks, and push ups. You see, they were getting ready to learn the basic fundamentals of T-ball. Next time it will be basketball, then football and so on. The best part? My Natty was one of these itty bitty athletes and she didn't even mind that I was one of the only moms running onto the gym floor to get a good picture of her sportiness.

Its probably needless to say, but Natalie had a ball. ;)

Patriotic duty . . .

On President's day, to my little girls' delight, we found a flag in our front yard. And whenever you see a flag in our yard and you are under 5 years old apparently you have two choices: To say our beloved country's Pledge of Allegiance or to belt out the Star Spangled Banner. The morning of Feb. 16th it was the Pledge, no matter that it was absolutely freezing outside and it was before most sane people were up when there wasn't work or school ('cept the ones that had to set up the flags).

I see a future President in our midst for sure.

Storytelling . . .

We love stories in the Debra Lea home. We love to read 'em and tell 'em and most of all we LOVE to listen to them. So when this years Storytelling Competition came up in the girls school of course I coaxed them into trying out. And guess what, they both did a fantastic job and they both made it to grade level.

Nicole did so great retelling the story "Up Up Down" by Robert Munsch and just between you and me, I think it pretty suspicious that the book she picked got to say that mom and dad are dirty rascals, hmmm.....

And Kaydee also did a fabulous job doing "Silly Sally" by Audrey Wood. I was especially proud with how well she did with all the 's' and 'sh' sounds. They're tough and she did them beautifully.

Um, Ouch . . .

More than five months of pain have finally brought me to a point in my life that I thought I'd never venture. I'm taking advice AND I'm allowing people to help me. -Sigh- What will ever become of me? So if you have a suggestion on how to get rid of these delightful migraines and more than enjoyable headaches, now's your chance to let it all out because yes, I'm that desperate. So far I've tried everything from high density vibrations, different medications, massage, hiding under a blanket etc, etc. .  

And now I'm onto physical therapy. 

Physical Therapy just might be the cure that I've been searching for. And just to make sure I'm doing things right, I'm seeing two different physical therapists because again, I'm that desperate...  I just don't think I was fully prepared for the joys that come along with the therapy.  Here are just a few of the examples:  

1. Even after telling the therapist that I really enjoy having my head attached to my neck he sometimes seems determined to not let that happen.  
2. Bursting out in full belly laughter because of the uncontrollable muscle spasms that occur when hooked up to the electrical stimulation machine.
3. When the P.T. says, "you'll feel a little pop" what he is really trying to say is "this is going to feel like I'm breaking 34 bones in your back, sorry" 
4. My nerves don't like being bothered with electrical shocks followed by iced spray. I bet yours wouldn't either. Trust me on this one. 

After seeing three different P.T.s,  all three of 'em agree on one thing though... I'm messed up-- in a major way.  Nice, just what any woman wants to hear. 

Now just a couple more months of this bliss and I just might feel better.