My plans for today will involve taking the boys to school and heading to the park to get my walking done.

The idea of walking doesn’t really sound too appealing but I want to get the day off on the right foot.

Birthdays for me are a little different because my family is a little different. We face challenges that most other families don’t and as a result, we have to sometimes do things differently.

For example, because I’m the only one in my family who drives, any shopping that needs done for my birthday, cake, special dinner ect, I will do myself. It’s a little weird shopping for my own birthday cake but that’s okay. ☺

We have to buy cakes because our oven doesn’t work. It’s sort of a long story and better for another time. Otherwise, a cake would be baked and not bought.

When someone in our family is celebrating a birthday, we always try to make sure it’s as special as possible because they deserve to feel special. When it comes to me, I very much dislike having money spent on my that could be better used elsewhere.

One of the things we do is have a special birthday dinner. It’s usually something like Chinese food because everyone likes that. This can prove challenging sometimes because the kids only eat certain things and so our options are somewhat limited.

Everyone in my house has Autism but me and sometimes that requires sacrifice on my part, in order to accommodate the many.

Eating Hungry Howies pizza is a perfect example that. Emmett needed something more than I did and so I’m making sure he gets it. I’m pretty sure everyone else will eat it as well.

That’s a win win.

When it comes to presents, a lot of times Lizze works with the kids to make me things and I absolutely adore their presents. Sometimes, if we have the money, I’ll pick something up for myself because if I don’t, the kids can get upset that I’m not opening anything.

Truthfully, when my kids make something for me, it’s such a good feeling because I know how hard it can be for them to physically do something like that and they do it anyway because they love me. ☺ 💙

We’ll probably spend the evening watching a movie together as a family. It’s simple but also one of my favorite things to do.

Lizze and I probably could have had a night to ourselves but I like having the kids around and it wouldn’t feel right having a birthday without them.

We will do our best to stick to their usual routine because they do better that way. That will probably be it and you know what, it sounds perfect..

I like making a big deal out of everyone else’s birthday. When it comes to mine, low key and simple works for me. I guess I’d rather not have the attention.

Of course, at any moment these plans could change because of a meltdown or health issue.

My life is stressful and challenging but it’s my life and I love it. It’s my family and I love them. We’ve been through so much over the years, the best birthday present I can imagine is just having my family back together.

As much as I was struggling with all of this turning 40 stuff eariler in the week, I feel pretty okay at the moment.

Like I said, this may be different tham what you guys do but for me, it’s perfect. ☺