Sweet Words From Our Favorite Birthday Girl!

EXPLODED this evening.(please pass this on to the BLOG...)..we went to dinner (which was not a very concealed event..as kevin called MY cellphone and asked to talk to david...duh....lol) Shannon carried in a box that I had given to maddysen for special trinkets for safe keeping. It was a beautiful box that i had received in a swap that harboured bits of loveliness...maddysen saw it and gasped in her wise 6 year old way, how special is was...
Now here i am (wise in my newly found old age....i got my AARP card application in the mail today..how do they know you turn 50 and you get it ON THE DAY?) and i'm thinking that the box holds a cake or something and i'm sitting there thinking that i just know it's a cake and i'm not going to spoil the realization of the moment...we sat down at our table (now shannon has been bursting out in HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALL DAY LONG...telling everyone...LOUDLY...that i have reached the MILESTONE...day...she pulls out the video camera hmmmmm....all this for a CAKE?!!!...well they decide i should open the box...before we order...(hmmm lifelong dream...EATING THE CAKE BEFORE THE MEAL)...I OPENED THE BOX...AND SHANNON WAS GLOWING...i started to remove cellophane packages that had been festivally wrapped and i'm thinking that this ain't no cake....
i pulled the first one out...and was quite bewildered...(watch the video...) ((and may i add..i DO NOT VIDEO WELL))...

as i began this email...MY HEART EXPLODED...the love that flowed from the box...was the most incredible, fabulous feeling that nothing could match....see i don't suprize well...i don't do suprizes...i HAVE TO KNOW THE DETAILS OF EVERYTHING...before it happens...then i can go into the pretending to be suprized mode....(it spoils everything but it's been my life and you get comfortable with it) i was overwhelmed with why or how this was all happening...i felt my fingers quickly moving from one piece of love to the next with an insatiable desire to take it all in and not understanding why people had taken the time to do this for ME....me the person that demands that i am a people pleaser and i try so hard to make everyones life perfect...
....i am in gracious AWE...i still haven't been able to take it all in as this is one of the most magnificient gifts...one could receive...the love and warmth from family....i have to take each card and touch it and spend quality time with it to absorb everything...can you feel my sentiment?

....and you did a BLOG ABOUT THIS WHOLE PROJECT!!!!! OMGOODNESS....
i haven't been there as i hear it is secret...lol

and here i was worried that the kids were planning this big party...and inviting my inlaws...WHEW...well i got a really clean house in fear of THAT...lol...

SENDING HEARTFELT HUGZ AND SOOOOOO MUCH LOVE THAT WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS....

All Wrapped Up And Ready To Dance

These amazing books are now all dressed up and ready to journey to Wisconsin! Yay! What an amazing job you all did on these!! Here is how they look bound and wrapped.

Figaro the cat insisted on being in this photo with one of the books!

Here is the first book (1-25) - I'm Not 50:

Side view of the first book - Very chunky!Here is the second book - I'm 25 Times 2:
Side view of second book - super chunkyville!

Here is the cradle filled with goodies. It contains a 1958 memory book from Carol S. with world events that year, two vintage baby books with funny pictures and baby advice, a vellum quotes stacker, 3 gel pens, a pair of beautiful earrings made by Lynnette April, flower buttons, white pearl victorian style buttons, multicolored brads, a sweet sachet made by Maija, a mini vintage plastic baby doll from the 50's, three mini spools of ribbon and a Chocolove chocolate bar.

Here is the cradle of gifties all wrapped up with the OH BABY YOU'RE 50 tag on it:

Here is book number 1 all wrapped up. It has a tag on it with the word "wish" and the number "1" stamped on it, as she should open this one first.

Here's the second book all wrapped up. It has a tag that says "Happy" and the number 2 stamped on it, to open second:

And here is all three presents - both books and the cradle of gifties - all together before they went into the shipping box. I sure hope she loves these! There was a whole lot of love that went into these books!!!

This is the tag on the outside of the package: Then the first book, #'s 1 - 25, has this for the cover:
The second book, #'s 26 - 50, has this for a cover:
This is on the inside of the second book. It is pictures of Barb's family captured from her blog:

And finally, this is what is written on the inside of the first book:

Dearest Barb,

The world was given a special gift when you were born! Your bright spirit, generous heart and unfailing kindness touches each and every person you come in contact with! It is that kindness that inspired these two little books of birthday wishes for you! We hope that these 50 wishes - plus a few to grow on - remind you just how loved and cherished you are! And remember - it is NEVER too late to have a happy childhood!

With Love, The RAK Art Chix, May 2008

To Make A Prairie it Takes A Clover And One Bee, And Revery - The Revery Alone Will Do, if Bees Are Few

A BEEutiful tag from the charming Ms. Tanya:

It's The Circle of Life, And it Moves Us All, Till We Find Our Place, On The Path Unwinding

A darling tag from the sweet Ms. Dorothy:

Look At Your Children, See Their Faces in Golden Rays

Three wonderful tags from Barb's beloved children Robbie, Danielle and Kaleigh:

You guys ROCK for being a part of this project!! Thank you so much!! This will mean so much to your mom!!!

Great is The Woman Who Has Not Lost Her Childlike Heart

A artistic ocean delight from the hularific Kathy: