Four Oh!

So... this week I turned 40. Yup, the big, fat, 4-0.

It is definitely different than when I turned 30. When I turned 30, I didn't feel any different until I hit 36... for some reason I felt I went over the hill. It hasn't really hit me yet, I mean the fact that I am 40. I feel like I am still in my late 20s', but in the mirror I see a much older me, and I guess people expect me to act mature too. I had to do a reality check and ask myself some questions...

Do I feel like I’m living on the edge?

No,

Do I feel I am stuck with nowhere else to go in life?

Nope,

or do I feel a little confused and lost?

Well, to tell you the truth maybe a little.

I have no idea what the next decade will bring, but I am a firm believer that life is what we make of it. So I am in the process of reminding (hypnotizing) my mind that I have fabulous years ahead of me.

Thanksgiving is over, but I am really grateful for the life I have, especially for my family and friends. Those of you who sent me birthday wishes, phone calls and gifts thank you so much!

During the holiday season, I think about my family in Japan more often but this year even more so, since I went back this summer... I miss them a lot. My mom and sister called the day before (they are one day ahead) and we talked for a while. It was great but I wish we lived much closer. So I really appreciate your thoughtfulness and kindness. That lifted my spirits up.

One of my friends and I have our birthdays close together, so we went out for sushi and celebrated together and it was lots of fun. You will not believe who we sat near at the restaurant... Mitt Romney, yes, I am serious! I AM NOT KIDDING! We sat at the table behind them. I SO wanted to ask for a picture, but my better half said, "Oh, leave him alone, let him enjoy his sushi." I decided not to bother him. The picture would have been a great keepsake though. Then after that guess where Mr. TRH took me...

Tiffany...I wrote about this before, but ever since I saw "Breakfast at Tiffany’s" in my preteen years with beautiful Audrey Hepburn, one of the places I fantasized about going to was Tiffany. One time I was in front of the store and peeked in from a distance, but I only saw one customer and three sales people. I felt a little... ok, a lot intimidated and didn't go in.

But this time, there were a bunch of people in the store and I was with my hubby. He bought me something that I will treasure for a long time.

Speaking of "things I will treasure for a long time"...on my birthday morning, I received three special handmade cards from my kids with lot of hugs. They were filled with kind words and helped me a lot from missing my family and friends in Japan. They reminded me that my family is here. They are the sweetest kids I could ever ask for.

Birthdays are a milestone to reflect on the past and how I lived as well as plan for the future and how I want to live from this day on. I think everyone deserves to celebrate their special day with loved ones and maybe get some gifts as a special treat.

But, perhaps our life filled with the little things and events we take for granted is the ultimate gift.

My Birthday Wish

Today was my birthday, I will share some of the things that happened in our home with you all.

Gift:



Michael gave me this handmade necklace...I thought "Ahh...how sweet". It was made out of lego pieces. How creative of him, I thought.

"Hey, can I look at it?" Christopher asked. So, I held out the necklace to him, then he shouted, "Hey! Those are MY legos!"

So, Michael made me this one instead.


Rachel wanted to do the same thing, but she burned out at the 8th bead. She asked me to tie the ends and put it on, and when I did it, she put both her hands on her cheeks and said "Mom you are so beautiful!!".


Christpher said he was thinking about what to give me but he forgot right after Thanksgiving. Funny kid...

The Planning:
I heard this story from my husband later on

My sweet hubby gather the children and wanted to discuss where they should take me for dinner.
He jokingly suggested, "How about Chuck E. Cheeses?" (those of you who are outside the US...Chuck E. Cheeses is the place kids can play games or hold birthday parties.)
Then the kids got really excited and said "Yeah!"
My husband thought (Uh-oh,I need to steer this in the right direction)
"Well... do you really think mom will like Chuck E. Cheese's and thier pizza for her birthday?"

Christpher and Rachel were quite but Michael was still hanging on by a thin thread of hope and said, "But, they have salad too!"

When I heard the story I couldn't stop laughing. What the kids don't realize is they are already giving me so much. Even the craziest days they give me something to smile about.

Aaron came home earlier than normal, then they took me out for Chinese.

I opened the gift I bought myself two months ago (I promised Aaron I would not open it until my birthday).

The cards they gave me made me laugh and tear up a little.

I want to say thank you to the friends and families who gave me nice birthday wishes. My world is a better place because of you all.

I took a self portrait:


One year older, I guess I will find out if I became any wiser too throughout the next year. If I can have one wish for my birthday... I want for our little family to be together forever. There are many other small wishes, but my family makes me happy the most. That is my birthday wish.

Day to remember

Our daughter, Rachel, turned 4 years old a couple of weeks ago. With our busy summer schedule and everything, we couldn't have her birthday party until today. She has been waiting for this so patiently (although, at least once a day, she would ask how many more days until her birthday party.)

Well, the day finally arrived!

It is not easy to plan and prepare for a birthday party with a busy life, but we did it. Cousin Anthony slept over the night before, so with the help of the three boys and my husband, we were able to finish the decorations. They were such good helpers.

Rachel wanted lots of pink and princesses for her party, so, that was pretty much the theme of the party.

Her family and friends were there. There were some fun games, lots of sugar, and she loved all the nice presesnts she recieved. (Thankyou everyone!) Who could ask for more? Eventhough, my husband and I were so tired after the party and took a three hour nap, it was all worth it.




It was a good day, and I know she will remember this day for a long time.

Oh, By the way, now I have a grab button. I am so excited. I came up with the design and my husband figured out how to make it a grab button. He is so awesome! Please add it to your site. :)

For her birthday...

Rachel's birthday is around the corner, I have been busy

Producing...



Cooking...



Making sushi... (I was trying to figure out how to make this, so when the kids saw these and shouted "Sushi!!", it got me so excited. The the boys start playing with them as sushi bombs and sushi grenades. They were throwing them at each other!)



and baking...



I always wanted to make felt food and I had lots of felt (again, I rediscoverd them when I was cleaning the closet...) so, I started with a simple cookie. It was so fun that I ended up making more and more.

The last bit of summer vacation is left and we have so much going on, so we are not having her birthday party on her actual birthday, but she can start playing with these felt foods soon.

Happy Birthday!

Today, we went up to grandma and grandpa's and had a big BBQ with family. The kids had a great time with their cousins playing pretty much all afternoon on a slip'n slid! Great food, fireworks and each other's company, it was a great way to spend a day.



Well, yesterday was my hubby's birthday. Since I had been sick we really didn't have any big plans. I decided that we will dine-in and watch a movie as a Family. I cooked his favorite stuff. I asked the children to "decorate" the room for the party (so I could cook without being distracted). They had so much fun doing this.

Ta-da




I made, Inari-sushi



Rolled- sushi



Japanese flavored deep fried chicken



And of course, the birth day cake.



He loves chocolate. So, I made a triple layerd chocolate cake. Sometimes doing something low key as a family is nice too. He loved his birth day cards from the kids and was able to just relax on the couch.

Happy Birthday honey!!

On Monday I will post my finished quilt. Here is the bias tape I made for the quilt.



See you on Monday!