We now have three birthdays in a week (and a day) in our family, since Jamie was born last year, in between Jordan’s and Jansen’s birthdays. So those of us in Minnesota got together to celebrate tonight. I don’t think we’d all been in the house together since Christmas. It was nice to have the house full for a few hours, although Heather did her usual disappearing trick and needed plenty of QLT when they left. We had “homemade” lasagna just like Mom used to buy (Stouffer’s) and the usual fixins. Christina made a cake that was tailored to the specifications of the three birthday boys (apparently Jamie requested lots of frosting even though he’s never had any sugar). I was shocked as I counted up the people involved while setting the table: five adults . . . and five children! Soon we’ll be outnumbered!

 

Normally I give up kissing for Lent. (I wish it was more of a sacrifice. . . .) I think this year I will give up spending money in addition to my usual vow of lipular chastity. It’s hard to know what else to sacrifice. I wish I really could go 40 days without having to spend any money. But there are definitely things I could forego. I’m inspired by Joy’s idea of making a wish list. I call it a shopping list, though, and it doesn’t quite function the same way, unfortunately. I’ll have to work on that some more.

 

And in case you were dying to know, Heather is doing much better. She sends her thanks for your wishes for her speedy recovery, which was indeed speedy and thorough. She is now back to her usual cranky yet lovable self.