Oliver turns 5, Cake, Presents and Missed Celebrations~

      On Friday our sweet Oliver turned 5 years old. Can you believe that? He was a god sent to me, something I wasn't even aware that I had needed. He completed me, (besides my family obviously) the love I have for this little guy is beyond words. I'm not even sure why I have bonded so greatly with him, I guess he allows me to nurture him. With the kids growing up and becoming adults, I hadn't been able to "take care" and nurture. Lets not forget the undying love he has for me...he loves me! lol...ok in all seriousness, he really did provide me with some sort of love. I was missing something in my life, and when he came to us I fell deeply in love. He's my baby boy..and I love him to pieces.

He had quite the celebration, we had balloons and decorations.

He had presents...SO many presents that daddy was pretty sure we went into debt over :)

   Here's a picture of daddy showing him all his presents, he got a new bed as well. That's what is holding his presents.

He had cake..all the puppies shared some dog cupcakes. Overall it was such a wonderful celebration.

Happy birthday baby boy..he is so handsome!

Ella needs to get in the action and check out his presents too...

Finn always helps with opening up the presents..she loves it!

Oliver getting ready to open a present.

I have this rule in life, some people may laugh at the fact that we celebrate our dogs birthdays. But too be honest it started way back with Harley. It started because for much of Braden's childhood he spent sick or even at times hospitalized..even on life support.

Both my children over the years of their childhood have missed many celebrations because of that. . They have missed family gatherings, friends play dates, holiday dinners, sleepovers and many important other life celebrations. So many tears shed. There were countless times of just sadness, not only for the kids but for Paul and I as well. We missed out on may functions, birthdays and get-togethers. When we did have a time where we were missing out on something fun because of an illness or hospitalization we had to be creative! Back then we didn't have the internet to google or Pinterest craft ideas or family party ideas for sick children. We had to come up with exciting ideas...and thankfully we were all in this together. My husband, me, Braden and Kailey..we made our own fun. I remember doing crafts, decorating cupcakes (depending on how bad the illness was) watching movies, making instruments and playing roles in our air bands. I remember the times when Braden was hospitalized and Kailey would come down for the day, we'd watch movies in ICU. Read books, laugh together and we even managed crafts. Or they would have toys, that Paul and I would secretly buy for them.  We had other rituals as well, when Kailey was little she wouldn't really stay with us over night. I remember my parents taking her home with them. It was so hard to send her off, I knew my mom and dad always had their own traditions that they did with Kailey. She always had fun with them. Deep down I knew she was fine, as a mom I hated to see her walk down that hallway and leave us. Of course being parents we'd put on a brave front, tell her how lucky she is too have time with nana and papa, how lucky she was to be going out to dinner with them. I would cry every time, heading back to ICU only to dry my tears quickly so Braden did not notice the remnants of my sadness. We'd have to plan with the kids all the fun things we were going to do when Braden got better. We always made sure to make up for the lost time. In our family, when the children were young we had decided if one couldn't make it too an event none of us would go. It just didn't seem fair that Braden was always missing out on fun family times and Kailey was able to attend. Of course over time that changed. Once Braden was old enough to understand if he couldn't go sometimes Paul would carry on and head to the function with Kailey. Honestly sometimes,  even though we were home and recovering from some sort of illness...I was fearful to be home alone with Braden. He needed so much care, constant hands on care. It was tiring, physically draining and emotionally exhausting. We rarely left one another alone during those times. We were a team, the four of us. If people didn't understand that...we didn't care, it wasn't about them. It's what was best for us, for our family.

When you are raising a family and the theme of your life is based around the "health" of one of your children you learn really quick how to "make up" for their stolen moments, their lost celebrations.
IT WAS NOT easy..and if you think its silly or funny that we celebrate our dogs birthdays then I feel sad for you~
If there is one thing I want to leave my children with...one amazing most wonderful piece of our lifehistory, that would be to celebrate everything.
Celebrate the little things, everyday chose to celebrate. The sun is out, you met a friend, you met a new friend, you passed a test, you fell in love...anything and everything is worth celebrating.
Life can change in a heartbeat. Therefore be thankful, give thanks and choose happy.
Why would we not celebrate the dogs birthdays? They are very important members of our family. We get to eat cake, open presents and sing happy birthday. Seems silly to not celebrate if you ask me.

Well friends, if I really sat down and tried to remember actual events of those moments I am sure I could make this post much more interesting. I think what I would like to leave you with is simple:

Celebrate life, celebrate the little things because it is in those moments you are choosing to be happy.