What Have I Always Said Is The Most Important Thing?

For those of you who haven’t watched Arrested Development, the title of this post is a kind of running joke on the show. All that aside, though, I just want to say that I value my family so much!

This evening we got together for a family celebration of Elias’ 4th birthday. His birthday was actually a couple of weeks ago, but today was the first time we could get everyone together. We actually have quite a large contingent in the northwest now. Fifteen people all together!

This morning when I told Elias that we were going to celebrate his birthday with our family, he was very excited because he thought he was going to turn five. I had to explain that his fifth birthday is actually still a very long time away, and we are really just celebrating his fourth birthday again. I don’t know if I ever convinced him, but he walked around telling people he is four all day so I guess he at least got that part.

I don’t have any pictures of the celebration because my camera was out of batteries, but sometimes it is nice to just sit back and enjoy and make memories rather than standing behind a camera.

My heart was just so full tonight, and it wasn’t because the house was crowded. I am so thankful for the laughter and the conversation and just being together. We went out to dinner, then came back to our house for presents, the annual birthday slideshow, and dessert (homemade apple pie and chocolate cupcakes!). Elias just loved being with everyone. He had the whole night down to a tight schedule, making sure we fit in present opening (first of course) and singing and blowing out birthday candles.

A night with loving family can sure wash away all the stresses and worries of life.