Happy Birthday, Beth

Today is Beth's birthday.  She's our 5th child and our 3rd daughter.  And she's the only one of our kids that lives within shouting distance - about 25 minutes away.

A little while ago I conducted a short interview with her.  Here's how it went.

How does it feel to be one more year older? It feels pretty good. I don't feel old at all, except that I'm always cold, my body aches, I only want to wear comfy shoes and my eyesight is getting poor but beyond that I'm as fit as a thirty-two year old.

Are you about where you thought you'd be at this time in your life?   Yeah.

Do you have any exceptional plans for the coming year.  I do but I have to keep those private for now.

What's your favorite thing about motherhood? Goodness. I enjoy playing and laughing with the kids. I love watching the siblings play with each other. My favorite thing is seeing Anna and Noah love and teach Eli and Clara.

What's your favorite aspect of daughterhood? I think that was a typo. I think you meant favoritedaughterhood. Oh, it's an enjoyable place to be. Right now, as an old wise lady, I can really see what an amazing job my mother did raising her six kids. Wow. What a tough job.

What's the best part of having such a large family?   The best part? Well, I love checking on my kids at night before bed, one after the other. Sometimes, I leave them alone, sometimes I pick up the babies and snuggle, sometimes I cover up Anna and Noah. Sometimes I take the Santa hat off of Noah. Other times I just leave it. Anyway, when I'm done checking on them, I feel such peace in knowing that they're safe and sound in their comfy beds and that they're there because of their parents.

The worst? Probably outings. For instance, Anna and Noah both need haircuts. I'm pretty sure getting a license to become a hairstylist is easier than that outing itself. 

Are you happy to be running your own business as opposed to working for someone else?  Explain. I am positively thrilled with my professional life. I can't believe that I'm actually doing it and not just doing it but thriving. I have a long way to go but I'm so thankful to always be learning and interacting with such amazing people. Working for someone else is not something I oppose, because I'm convinced I wouldn't work as hard as I work now. So it would probably be a bit easier. But not nearly as rewarding.

Where do you see yourself ten years from now? mmmm...drunk.

Oh wait. no. I'd love to still be shooting, maybe have a full-time assistant. (I love the idea of giving someone a means to support their family.) I plan to build a home someday with tons of windows on 10-15 acres. 

What can you tell us about yourself that I've not covered here?

I think we've covered everything. I have to get ready for dinner. My parents are taking us out to eat and I can't be late, okay? gotta go.

And that concluded the interview but I can tell you a few things about Beth that most people already know.  She's a wonderful mother and a wonderful daughter.  Her sense of humor is legendary.  She's one of the hardest working people you'll every know and she's unfailingly thoughtful, loving, and as big-hearted as anyone you could ever meet.

So happy birthday, Beth!  Here's hoping all your dreams come true!!

 (Some photographs were taken by Crooked Eyebrow)