A Birthday To Remember....

I LOVE Birthdays!

Birthday celebrations were a very important part of my childhood, whether it was my birthday ~

First birthday ~ Brooklyn,  November 24, 1948

Or one of my brothers',

Erik's 15th birthday ~ East Meadow, December 17, 1967

Rich turns 3 ~ East Meadow, June 26, 1954

This year's Birthday ~ #66 ~ is one I'll cherish forever.

Rich and his bride Pat, our lovely sister in law and aunt, traveled down from Oregon to spend 4 days with us.
We shared memories, many laughs, football game predictions...

Toasts to family....

 Of course there was cake!

We celebrated a sweet victory over the Mighty Ducks! (with apologies to Rich and Pat!)

Dining and playing at Casino del Sol ~

A birthday dinner was planned for Sunday (my actual birthday), and our last night together before our family left for Portland. 

I LOVE North, at La Encantada, so reservations were made and we were on our way...

We settled in for a wonderful meal....

As we were finishing our appetizers, I was about to receive the surprise of my life....

My sweet friend, Donna Crawford, was approaching our table....I thought she was at North to celebrate her amazing ride in El Tour de Tucson....I thought the flowers she was holding were from the group of friends she was with...I thought she was approaching my table to say "hello"....then as she handed me the flowers I thought , "Are these for my birthday?"

But I was SO mistaken!

Donna and friends were there to announce that I have been chosen as one of Tu Nidito's "Remarkable Moms for 2014!"

Donna had nominated me..

Our sweet daughters wrote a letter in support of me....

My dear friends Nancy Roach and Sandra Kelley also wrote letters of recognition...

I'm honored to be one of the five Remarkable Moms who will be recognized this coming May, 2014, at Tu Nidito's The Remarkable Celebration.

Yet, my biggest thrill is to receive this honor from one of the greatest organizations in the state of Arizona ~ Tu Nidito.  

In Spanish, Tu Nidito means "your little nest," and provide a nest they do ~  in love, comfort and support for children with serious medical conditions, along with support for their loved ones and so much more.  

Please take a moment and click here to read more.  Our sweet Amy was 9 weeks old God called her home.   I know you can appreciate what this means to me.  It's all about the children.

I'm still floating in disbelief and gratitude for this incredible honor ~ for dear Donna who would think to nominate me ~ for friends who would write letters of support ~ and for our daughters who are the most amazing women themselves.

Lastly, I was blessed to share all of this with my family.

Have a most beautiful week, dear friends.  Hanukkah is underway and Christmas is peeking around the corner.  Remember to B-R-E-A-T-H-E and be thankful!