.Yes, I was, indeed, the BIRTHDAY QUEEN! ha ha ha ha! As everyone knows, I love my birthday, JULY 17th (make note for future!)! Since I was a wee girl, I have loved my summer birthday! So much fun, such a great summer break to look forward to. My parents always made a "big deal" out of our birthdays and they continued that with the grandkids. I didn't understand why "the Fry" side of the family didn't make a big deal of b'days when I first married into the family! HAHA! I thought EVERYONE was a queen(king) on their birthday! Found out not everyone shares that idea but I wanted to with my own kids, too. Since there are 5 Fry Kids (and 5 sweet "in-laws" and 8 grands now), back in the day when I had the "5" at home, I had to make a big deal out of birthdays. (or risk an uprising!)!I would always check those that were in school, out of school for lunch and try and make the day super special for them. I STILL love making the b'day "kid" feel special. It's the ONE DAY you get ALL the attention and love.
My kids do the same thing now with their kids and I love it. And, they are all super special to me. Michael asked me Thursday night, "why didn't you answer my text until this afternoon?" BLESS HIM, I didn't see it. They all want to talk to/text their mama (or risk being put up for adoption)! haha
AND, as girls do, both Natalie &Katie both wrote the sweetest thing on their FB statuses :
Natalie Fry-Horne July 17 near Hoover, AL
Today is a special day.... You wanna know why? Because it's my lovely, insanely witty, dependable, smoking hot, loving and always fun Mom's birthday. July 17th is always one of my favorite days as we get to shower her with the attention that she gives us daily. — with Jan Fry....
Katie Fry Cullen — with Jan Fry.
July 17 via Instagram
In honor of #tbt. Happy Birthday to the sweetest,most beautiful, proverbs 31 woman I know. I hope you have the BEST DAY EVER. I am so thankful God chose YOU to be my Mom. Thank you all you constantly do for me and my little family. We love and adore you more than you know! #happybirthday#hbd #granjanbirthdayweek #granjansbirthday (I still adore this pix!)
Soooo THIS year was super special! I got to have all 5 "small" frys here . Together. In one place. For the first time since Patrick left for the Navy 6 years ago! Only those who have children away understand how it feels to have one missing during those special "get together" times. It's great to have all the others, but the one missing is the worst feeling! I am beyond grateful that they were all here! Patrick is back in town (Pelham) with his precious family! YAY! BUT, I still have one family missing, Katie(Jon, Carter, Ella Kate). I was excited to get together with the others, but , AGAIN, sad I would be missing part of my chicks. This time, The Cullens would be missing. Then,on Wednesday she called and said, "I'm coming." Even though it's a 3 hour drive with 2 young children, she wanted to be here for my birthday. It meant the world to me. SO, that meant all 5 would be together with me. It was a "CROWNING" moment (hence the crown! LOL). ....I had over 150 birthday wishes on FaceBook! made me feel even more "queenly"! HAHA ! AND, I went and celebrated with Mimi on the 16th. Took a little birthday "cake"/ some old pictures and we had a great time. She sang to me/told me my birth story (again!) and when I started to leave, she took my head in her hands and said, "I remember the first time I saw you and how beautiful I thought you were and you still are. And sweet, too". Words I will cherish from now on! * SIDE NOTE: Mimi will be turning 100 on August 14! Unless you live under a rock, you've heard that anyway! HA!* ....All in all, a GREAT birthday and one I will always remember b/c I had all my original babies together. (MINUS one special "in-law". JON! He had to work. JON, next year , ask your boss to let you off on my b'day. HAHA)....For everyone that left me a: VOICE MESSAGE/A CARD/AN INBOX/A FACEBOOK WISH/A GIFT/A HUG: thank you from the bottom of my heart! Love each of you.
Now, enjoy the slide show!
My kids do the same thing now with their kids and I love it. And, they are all super special to me. Michael asked me Thursday night, "why didn't you answer my text until this afternoon?" BLESS HIM, I didn't see it. They all want to talk to/text their mama (or risk being put up for adoption)! haha
AND, as girls do, both Natalie &Katie both wrote the sweetest thing on their FB statuses :
Natalie Fry-Horne July 17 near Hoover, AL
Today is a special day.... You wanna know why? Because it's my lovely, insanely witty, dependable, smoking hot, loving and always fun Mom's birthday. July 17th is always one of my favorite days as we get to shower her with the attention that she gives us daily. — with Jan Fry....
Katie Fry Cullen — with Jan Fry.
July 17 via Instagram
In honor of #tbt. Happy Birthday to the sweetest,most beautiful, proverbs 31 woman I know. I hope you have the BEST DAY EVER. I am so thankful God chose YOU to be my Mom. Thank you all you constantly do for me and my little family. We love and adore you more than you know! #happybirthday#hbd #granjanbirthdayweek #granjansbirthday (I still adore this pix!)
Soooo THIS year was super special! I got to have all 5 "small" frys here . Together. In one place. For the first time since Patrick left for the Navy 6 years ago! Only those who have children away understand how it feels to have one missing during those special "get together" times. It's great to have all the others, but the one missing is the worst feeling! I am beyond grateful that they were all here! Patrick is back in town (Pelham) with his precious family! YAY! BUT, I still have one family missing, Katie(Jon, Carter, Ella Kate). I was excited to get together with the others, but , AGAIN, sad I would be missing part of my chicks. This time, The Cullens would be missing. Then,on Wednesday she called and said, "I'm coming." Even though it's a 3 hour drive with 2 young children, she wanted to be here for my birthday. It meant the world to me. SO, that meant all 5 would be together with me. It was a "CROWNING" moment (hence the crown! LOL). ....I had over 150 birthday wishes on FaceBook! made me feel even more "queenly"! HAHA ! AND, I went and celebrated with Mimi on the 16th. Took a little birthday "cake"/ some old pictures and we had a great time. She sang to me/told me my birth story (again!) and when I started to leave, she took my head in her hands and said, "I remember the first time I saw you and how beautiful I thought you were and you still are. And sweet, too". Words I will cherish from now on! * SIDE NOTE: Mimi will be turning 100 on August 14! Unless you live under a rock, you've heard that anyway! HA!* ....All in all, a GREAT birthday and one I will always remember b/c I had all my original babies together. (MINUS one special "in-law". JON! He had to work. JON, next year , ask your boss to let you off on my b'day. HAHA)....For everyone that left me a: VOICE MESSAGE/A CARD/AN INBOX/A FACEBOOK WISH/A GIFT/A HUG: thank you from the bottom of my heart! Love each of you.
Now, enjoy the slide show!