Today is my birthday.
If you were to come by later I would offer you a piece of cake. Will it be carrot cake or Ooey Gooey Butter cake? I haven’t decided yet, so you are welcome to advise me.
Even better, make it yourself and bring it over. 😉
Actually, I don’t mind making my own birthday cake at all. I am a firm believer in doing what you must to make your special day as fun as possible. To that end we are:
Taking today off from school. I don’t think the kids have a problem with this. I will struggle, of course, because I am a teacher and just can’t help myself. I know. I’ll have them practice long division using the candles on my cake.
Going to piano lessons, as always. This is definitely not my idea of a birthday-type activity. Do we really have a choice, though? No.
Going to Mass after piano. Do you not just love the Mass readings on the Feast of the Guardian Angels? Oh I do I do I do I do. I owe these powerful spirits so much, and I thank God daily for the gift of their intercession. Remind me to tell you the story sometime of when, in my pre-conversion party days, they picked up my little Volkswagon Golf and left me stranded smack dab in the middle of a field.
[I had been on my way to do something devious.]
You don’t believe that this really happened? Well, how else would you explain that there were no tire tracks leading out to my car?
And I guess I just told you the story.
We don’t have plans for the afternoon, other than baking and waiting on Daddy’s arrival. I keep hinting that he should take the day off on my birthday—okay, I tell him so outright—but so far he hasn’t taken the bait. I think it’s got something to do with discipline and bill-paying and responsibility and other such nonsense…though I can’t be sure and I can’t complain because he’s getting me something for my birthday that I’ve always wanted.
Would you complain?
Pizza! We’re going to Pizza Hut for supper! Yum.
And then…
And then…
We’ll open gifts. Because of that big-ticket item that I mentioned a few lines up, I am not expecting much. There will be homemade cards and lots of drawings, which I love. There will be a set of sweetly-yet-clumsily-wrapped kitchen utensils from Jem. (A pizza cutter and an ice cream scoop. I know because he had me to buy them.) And there will be one last little package to them from me.
A pregnancy test. It’s positive.
From me, who’s 42 today!
I am hoping against hope that the fifth time’s the charm. By this I mean that I’ve had four miscarriages in a row (see my label “Miscarriage”) and am praying Please, God! Let us enjoy this baby on earth! All things are possible in Him, I know. Of course they are. My life is His.
And that’s my day—our day—in a nutshell. I thank you, God, for the gift of life. I thank You for my faith…my family…my friends…and for the untold surprises that each day brings.
Ad Jesum per Mariam,
Happy Birthday, Margaret!!
A happy, happy birthday, and a big congratulations!
Oh, Margaret!! What a beautiful surprise…I had suspected as much after your sweet plea to St. Therese yesterday! God bless and preserve this newest little life. May your birthday continue in peace, joy and with many more blessings!
God bless you!
You are a brave woman Margaret. I’ll be praying for you and the little one.
BTW, Happy Birthday! I’m in a hurry to get to work, can you tell? Have a lovely day.
Happy Birthday and Congratulations! I’ll be offering up some sacrifices for you and the baby today and in the weeks to come.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! and CONGRATULATIONS!!
My prayers are with you and your wee one today and in the days to come.
Happy Birthday! Congratulations! I will be praying for you!!!What a wonderful week of feasts and what a beautiful surprise!
Oh, my goodness, you’ve taken my breath away.
Happy Birthday, Congratulations, and you’ll be in my prayers!
Happy Birthday to you! My prayers are with you and like Christine, I will be offering up little things.
Happy Birthday, Margaret!!! I will be praying soooooo hard for you and your little one!!! Congratulations!!!
Oh! Happy Birthday and Congratulations! I’m so happy for you. I will keep you and the little one in my prayers!
Happy Birthday and what wonderful news!!! Congratulations – may God bless you with your best year yet!
Yay! Happy happy birthday! Many prayers coming your way.
MARGARET!!!!!!!!!!! I’m crying over here with JOY on this wonderful gift, and on your birthday! Oh happy day! Be assured of my prayers that yes, the fifth time is the charm. We love you!!!!1
I’m smiling from ear to ear. Happy Birthday and Happy Baby Time!!!!!
OH BOY!! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARGARET!!! What a wonderful day for a birthday, this feast! And what wonderful joyful news. YOu will now be on my ‘baby’ prayer list too. Happy happy day, enjoy every moment. Bdays are for celebrating, you youngster! God bless you on your birthday.
Happy birthday, Margaret, and may God bless you and the baby! I’m asking St. Anne to join me in praying for you.
Happy birthday, enjoy your ooey gooey cake…lol Congratulations too on your baby news. What a terrific day to give thanksgiving for this perfect gift. God Bless!
You are overflowing with wonderful news. Happy, happy, happy day! I’ll be praying, every minute, for that sweet life.
Happy Birthday! Yay! Yay! Yay! Prayers, prayers, prayers!
A very Happy Birthday to you Margaret! Many prayers for your newest little one!
God Bless,
Jane
Happy birthday, Margaret! I so enjoy reading you blog. And, big prayers for you and the new little one. I hope that God blesses you both abundantly on this day!
Happy Birthday Margaret! But, most of all congratulations on your pregnancy. When I’m in labor I usually offer up the pain for many different intentions and now you just gave me another. I will offer it up for you and the baby, as I’m about to give birth at any time now. Please say I little prayer for me, that I go soon so that I don’t have to be induced. Thank you,
Amy
Wow! 🙂
Happy Birthday Margaret! We are praying for your little baby. Love you – Jenn
We’re praying hard here, too. 42 is a great age to have a Ramona … I mean, a baby. 🙂
Margaret, I’m so happy for you. Have a wonderful birthday. I’ll be fervently praying for you!
Margaret – A very happy birthday on this very special feast day! Congratulations on your new little baby – we are praying again for you in our house!
Blessings –
Monica
A Happy and Blessed Birthday, Margaret !
Congratulations on the news; I will keep you in my prayers.
Happy Birthday, Margaret and congratulations!!!!! I am so happy for you. Praying for you and this little one.
Whooo hoooo! I’ve been praying for this! Happy Birthday dear friend and many congratulations. Prayers will continue fervently!
Happy birthday and congratulations. We’ll be praying for that little one.
Woa, now that’s a post! Hugs to you birthday girl!
Happy Birthday and Happy Baby. Prayers, prayers and more prayers for you both and all your family. lois
WOW!! I’m so happy for you!! Thrilled really!! Thank you for sharing your life so bravely with us!!
You are such an awesome example for many of us moms!
Here to offer you a tiny bit of hope… I have a friend who is 11 weeks pregnant for the first time in 6 years after suffering several miscarriages and she has been given the green light for a healthy pregnancy and delivery in April. Her only living child is 10 years old and…oh yeah, she is 42. Like Karen implied, maybe it’s a magic number!
Happy Birthday, sweet friend!
Happy Birthday my dear friend…. what a beautiful gift you’ve been given!
I’ll be saying some prayers!
🙂
Happy Birthday and Congratulations! What a perfect day for reading “Angel in the Waters”…
Happy news! Many prayers from our house!
Happiest of Birthdays Margaret! And congratulations on your littlest blessing. I will be praying for all of you!
Congrats on the great news. And, Happy Birthday!
Congratulations! You’re an inspiration. Enjoy your special day.
Happy Birthday, Margaret! I had a positive test on my 37th birthday which I thought was pretty good. This is better. I will be standing in the gap for you today!! And I definitely vote ooey gooey. Do you make it with cake mix? Easy peasy!
Happy Birthday! What a wonderful surprise. I’ll be keeping you and baby in my prayers.
Happy Birthday, Auntie Margie!!!!
Prayers for you…
Love,
Tricia and family
P.S. You’ll love the French Oven, I got one as a wedding gift and I am quite fond of it!
Oh Margaret, Happy Birthday! And a big Congratulations as well! We will be praying hard for you guys!
Happy Birthday Margaret! And a very excited congratulations to you! I was so happy to read your post this morning. Our family will be praying for you and your precious baby. God bless you!
Oh Margaret! Happy Birthday to you! Many prayers and congratulations to you!
PRAISE GOD!!!!
I’m so happy for you Margaret! So many blessings to celebrate today. I think Pizza Hut and Carrot Cake make for a perfect celebration!! Enjoy, enjoy!
Oh you have made my heart smile today. Happy, happy birthday – and lots of prayers for this little one.
Happy Birthday, Margaret!
Once you get your big ticket present, you can use it to make No Knead Rustic Bread (http://www.motherearthnews.com/Real-Food/2007-12-01/Easy-No-Knead-Dutch-Oven-Crusty-Bread.aspx) It’s really really good and far too easy for its goodness.
Christy (friend of Bearing)
wonderful news! prayers for you on your special day – I’m specifically sending them to St. Gerard and St. Philomena.
Oh! Margaret! Congratulations!!! I’ll be praying like crazy for you and this little one. :o)
And happy, happy birthday! Pizza Hut — yummy!!
Happiest birthday wishes sweetie, praying hard for this one!!! Love you,
Happy Birthday and CONGRATulATIONS!! I will be praying for you and your family so much. WHat a wonderful testament to God’s love for us. Have a blessed birthday.
Caroline from TNzyfqoo
Happy Birthday! Congratulations!
You, baby & your whole family will be in my prayers!
Oh Margaret! I am so happy for you! A blessed birthday and congratulations on your new little one. I will be praying for you both daily. God bless and much joy to you!
I wish you a beautiful birthday! May it be peace-filled. And, I am overjoyed with your news… I am praying for you and your sweet new little one!
Happy, Happy Birthday!! God has blessed you with so many gifts!
Happy Birthday, Margaret! What an awesome feast to have for your birthday! Many graces be heaped upon you today!
I LOVE our enamel-cast-iron dutch oven! It’s one of the most used and most appreciated pieces of cookware in our kitchen. (Merry Christmas last year – romance at its best!)
And of course CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I am SO excited for you that God gave you another little soul!!! How wonderful!!! We will be lifting up LOTS Of prayers for you!!!
Happy birthday, and wonderful congratulations!! Many prayers heading your way.
Oh, you left that wonderful news for the end! Now my eyes are welled up with tears. Hope, more hope, and lots of prayer from me! Happy Birthday, Margaret, and congratulations!!
Congratulations, Margaret! You’ve left me in tears of joy over the news of the positive pregnancy test. We will be praying for you–and for this baby’s guardian angel to work extra hard to watch over him/her and you in all things!
What a beautiful gift! I am praying God surronds you with extra Angels this whole pregnancy.
Happy Birthday! Congratulations on your wonderful news. Keeping you and baby in my prayers. What a great birthday ‘surprise’ for your family 🙂
PS I vote for the carrot cake!
Happy Birthday, Margaret! Congratulations on the great news! Praying for special blessings for you today and lots of prayers ascending to Heaven for your little one!
CONGRATULATIONS! So was this the “yes” from our Little Flower? We will pray for you and this beautiful soul growing w/in you.
God bless and Feliz Cumple Ano.
Oh Margaret! Congratulations and happy birthday!!!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
so happy for you, dear Margaret. Love your blog, and hope your special day is lovely. enjoy your le creuset.. i have this one.. it is amazing. the baby needs no comment. our prayers are with you.
Yea! Congratulations,what fabulous news! You and your new one are in our prayers.
Nikki
Wow, how cool is that! Congratulations and a very happy birthday to you! I’ll say some prayers.
Janet
Oh Wow!!! What a wonderful birthday blessing. Many, many prayers!! I’m adding you to our Parish Prayer Partners. Enjoy your day.
OH, Margaret!!!!!! Congratulations and Happy Birthday!!! Many prayers will be for you and baby!!!!
I am SO late coming to this…long busy day, sorry so late!! I’m like #75!
Blessings!!
I lost 4 in a row as well& now I have my little boy! His oldre siblings are thrilled he is here!
Praying for an earthside baby!
xo
Jos
Congratulations, Margaret! I had baby #6 when I was 43. Pregnancy was tiring, but as you know, still so beautiful and rewarding. Happy birthday.
Hi!
Happy birthday and Congrats!!!!!
God bless you all!
Donna
WONDERFUL NEWS!!!
God bless and have a happy birthday!!!
Happiest of birthdays and may the guardian angel of your little one bring your babe into your arms!
Hooray! Happy Birthday and congratulations! What an awesome gift 🙂
Happy Birthday! I’m so thrilled to hear you’re pregnant; you’re so blessed!
Congrats, Margaret, and Happy Birthday!! I’ve moved you from the “wanting to be expecting prayer list” to the “expecting list.” Let’s hope you stay there now.
Congratulations! And Happy Birthday! Today is my 3 year old’s birthday as well. We had a very fun pumpkin party. Your present to your family is the best! (Although I’m a little jealous over the fabulous Dutch oven!)
Happy Birthday and Congratulations! What wonderful news!
Wow, what a wonderful birthday present!!!
Very much praying for you, your family, and the little one!
Margaret!!!!! Happy BIRTHDAY!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!
Congratulations and Happy Birthday!! I will be keeping you especially in my prayers! I’m so excited for you Margaret!! Oh the JOY!!
Angels are singing Happy Birthday to you and to a new soul too.
Happy happy joy joy!!!
Congratalations! I will be praying for you and your little one.
Oh Please – pretty please God, Let Margaret carry this baby to term and let him/her be a healthy happy baby!
Oh me oh my! Congratulations. I am about 27 weeks and just starting to get very uncomfortable. May you be just as uncomfortable in 20 some weeks! 🙂
We will pray pray pray for you!
Blessings
Christi
Oh yeah – happy birthday! Almost forgot in my excitement over the baby. 🙂
Happy Birthday!!!
Happy, Happy Birthday, Margaret!!! 🙂 I’m so excited for you about the little life you’re growing. I will be praying with you that this one gets to stay here in your arms.
Oh, and we had piano lessons today too – what’s the likelihood of that? 🙂
Enjoy some cake for me, and enjoy your pizza!
hugs from Oregon,
~Jenny
Congrats to you and your family! May God bless you with a healthy pregnancy. 🙂 You will be in my thouhts and prayers.
Happy Birthday and Happy Baby!!! That is fabulous news, and don’t be afraid. My friend was pregnant with her second when her mom announced her pregnancy at 48!! I’m a firm believer in the virtue of hope. Saint Gianna Beretta Molla and I will be praying for you and the little one.
Love, Lauren
WOOHOO!!!! That is the best birthday present EVER!!! Congratulations!
Happy Birthday! Yahoo on the pregnancy! And please know I’ve added you and your little miracle to my intentions.
Blessings,
Kate
Margaret! Happy, Happy Birthday and Many, Many Congratulations and Prayers for a holy, happy, and healthy nine months!!!! Hugs to you! 🙂
Happy Birthday Margaret.
I am so happy for you. Congratulations on your wonderful gift from above. You are in my prayers.
Happiest of Birthdays to You and may the Guardian Angels watch over that precious little one! Pretty, pretty please!!!!!! PS You know I love you because I had to type in ‘twzehdwf’ just to say Happy Birthday! twzehdwf indeed!
Rats! I was waiting all night so I could be your 100th comment and I missed it (fell asleep putting the kids to bed).
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! HAPPY BABY!!! We included you and your new baby in our prayers tonight before bed.
God bless you!
Happy Birthday, Margaret in Minnesota! Enjoy this great time
Oh, my goodness! I wish you all the good luck in the world. I read your blog daily and only went over your ‘m’word posts the other day and I cried and cried. I do so hope this little bub will come to be with you and your lovely family.
Please take it easy and rest up from now on. Thinking of you and sending you lots of luck and hugs from Australia.
Julie
Just wanted to congratulate you on your pregnancy and praying ferventaly that you get to enjoy this baby, too!! I will keep you in my prayers!! One of my deersat friends had a baby at 42 after many miscarriages. I’m praying this is the year for you!!!
Congratulations again!!!
Sorry I missed your birthday yesterday but I am rejoicing with you today!!! Be assured of many, many prayers for you & Baby.
OH!!!!! Happy Birthday, and many prayers for you and your growing baby. I”m thrilled for you and I’ve been waiting for this news!!
Oh my goodness! What a blessing on your birthday! My mother was pregnant at 41 after trying for 15 years after I was born. Now that she is older with a young son at home, I think it has kept both her and my dad young. So blessings to you, and you will of course be in our prayers.
Those french ovens look fabulous. I’ve watched many presentations of them on QVC. Of course to me, it’s like a fancy crockpot. (I am so minnesotan!)
Hope you enjoyed your special day!
Many prayers for you on your birthday and for your new precious baby!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARGARET and I will keep you and that little one in my prayers … CONGRATS!!!!
Enjoy your day.
Happy belated birthday, and huge congratulations! Praying for you.
Woo-hoo! Congratulations!!! You will most definitely be in my prayers. 🙂
Good for you. I hope everything “comes out alright”!
Bon Anniversaire!!!!! I am so excited for you! May all the angels and saints watch over you and your tiniest miracle!!! God Bless you, and you look fabulous!!
Happy Birthday! And congratulations! I will keep you and your little one in my prayers.
Congratulations!
Congratulations Margaret!! We will add you and your new little one to our prayers! And a belated Happy Birthday.
How did I miss this???
Happy, happy birthday and CONGRATULATIONS!!! Many prayers for you and your baby!!!
Happy Birthday!! Congratulations and prayers for many blessings!
Blessed Mother Mary, please watch over Margaret and her new little unborn baby!!
God bless and hugs,
Donna-Marie
You and your precious little one will be in my prayers. I had 3 consecutive miscarriages and have since had 2 beautiful babies, so I am filled with emotions. We’re homeschoolers in MN as well, and I wish I would have been able to join you ladies at the tea party a few months back. Maybe someday we’ll meet. God bless.
Oh, I am so belated on this, but Margaret, Happy Birthday! Hope your day was truly marvelous. 🙂 Also and of course, congratulations on your new pregnancy! I will be praying for you and your itty-bitty bundle of joy. Thank you for your faithfulness and for sharing with us all on your blog. You and your family are such an inspiration.
Congratulations, Margaret! And Happy Birthday!
O! Congratulations! I will pray that everything goes well.