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Renee Swope

Encouraging and equipping moms to parent with God's grace and confidence.

Read An Excerpt: Chapter 1 & 2

A Few of My Favorite Things Give-Away

Today is my birthday, and I have so much to celebrate!!!!

But I have had the hardest time figuring out how I’d like to spend this special day. For some reason, I don’t want to be pampered. I know, call me crazy. I’m sure it’s only temporary.

My family and co-workers can’t figure me out. They know I usually love the excuse to celebrate and enjoy a few of my favorite things like a manicure/pedicure, lunch with friends and a fun movie, maybe a little shopping and dinner out with my family.

This year I just want a simple day with Jesus. I’ll probably watch my next Beth Moore video download in her Esther series (that’s what I’ve been studying these days), and do some writing in my favorite spot. I’ll read and journal while I sip on my favorite coffee drink – sugar free vanilla iced coffee from McDonalds. I’ll end the day with dinner at home with my kids, JJ and mom (she’s doing the cooking). Sounds pretty wonderful to me!

I was telling JJ last night that I think I’m feeling the way I am because I have been surrounded by so much love, friendship, encouragement and prayers these past few weeks that I am all filled up!!! And I thank many of you for that!

So, instead of getting a few of my favorite things, I am going to give them away!!! You could be part of the celebration by sharing with me how you’d like to spend your birthday and….

YOU COULD WIN one of “My Favorite Things”

  • Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
  • $5 Gift card from McDonald’s
  • A manicure or pedicure gift certificate (worth $25) from a salon/spa in your area.

Please click on the word “comments” below and tell us how you like to spend your birthday. Be sure to leave your first name and your email so I can get in touch with you! I’ll be announcing the winner on Monday!

Comments

  2. Happy Birthday Renee – and you have got the right idea, "it's far better to give than to receive", even on your own birthday!

    I have to tell ya' – I got a gift certificate for a mani & pedi from my office crew (as I'm office manager) for Christmas & I'm gonna' give up the pedi to MY mom and my teenaged son has had a manicure once with the hot wax treatment, so I'll pass that along to him (he's tends to bite/peel his cuticles and nails – this might help curve that habit).

    You are blessed to have your mom (the birthday dinner cook) as well as I am blessed to have my momma, the Cook (Isabelle Cook…no pun intended)! xoxoxo Cindy Adams

  4. Happy Birthday!!
    I enjoy spending time with my family. I usually awake to my kids coming to wish me a Happy Birthday. My son who is 13 always tries to fix my breakfast for me. Sometimes they take me out to eat but since we are on the Dave Ramsey plan we are eating in more. Then later we get together with my family because my youngest sister's birthday is the day after mine,my niece's birthday is 2 days before mine and my son's birthday is 10 days after mine. So we usually get together one Sunday for lunch and celebrate all of our birthdays. I just love being with my family. Then we usually go to some friend's and have a cook-out. We say it is for my birthday but we like to get together with our friends, so any excuse will work.
    Again Happy Birthday 🙂
    Angela T Ramsey
    [email protected]

  6. First, HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS TO YOU!! I have been so encouraged by your blog–somehow you pull me out of whatever I'm in and bring me back to Him–thank you for letting Him use you!
    For my birthday…a day outside with my forever love, my husband of 16 yrs, and my 2 kids…even our dog can some..just somewhere sunny and a big grassy spot by the water to run and maybe throw the ball…sing, and thank Him for another year graciously given

  7. Wow, how generous of you. My birthday is actually on Monday Jan 18. My husband will be sleeping for he is back on midnights shifts at the mall (he does maintenance) so it will be like any other day. I haven't really done anything special for my birthday since becoming a mother. It seems being dead winter for my birthday generally one or both of my girls is sick or in the hospital. I think for 3 years straight either I or one of my girls were in the hospital on my birthday. I am so blessed this year that no one is sick at all!!! What a great birthday present.

    I really hope you have a WONDERFUL day. I really enjoy your blog by the way! Check mine out if you are ever bored. I try to minister to mothers and myself at the same time.

    Kristan Simmons
    [email protected]

  8. Happy Birthday!

    I just celebrated my birthday on Saturday. It was a wonderful day! We started the day out at my 5 year old son's first basketball game, lots of fun and laughter!I had a relaxing day hanging out at home with my family. My husband & I finished the day with a quiet meal at my favorite sushi place. It was a wonderful relaxing day!

    Mary

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  9. Happy Birthday Renee!
    My birthday and the birthday of my daughter are both in October. Mine is the 2nd, hers on the 27th. From the time she was born, I decided we would have a month long celebration, doing something special each weekend. I decide the firs weekend and she decides the last one, we decide together for the others.
    For my birthday, I like to rent a few girly movies and we get a pizza, popcorn,chocolate, and soda and curl up together on the sofa and simply enjoy the evening. No need for a gift,she is the best gift I have ever received because I was told I would never get pregnant. God knew better!
    Caron
    [email protected]
    205-532-2056

  10. I hope you are having a fabulous birthday!

    I'd like to spend my birthday on vacation with my family in Texas. Actually, it would be a couple weeks after my birthday so we could visit the State Fair of Texas. As a child, my family would travel back to Texas most years to visit the State Fair and other things. I'd love to do that with our daughter.

  11. Happy Birthday!
    My favorite thing to do on my birthday is to spend it with my kids. A few years ago I asked them what we should do on my birthday and they suggested the Children's Museum…actually they begged! They said it would be fun for me because I could read while they played! Always thinking of me :). Of course I did not read…I played too. But it was a great bday with my family.

  12. Hi! Happy Birthday!! first off. The way I spent my b-day last year was just being thankful I was alive. Didn't have a job and are living on my husbands $300. a week paycheck. Thanking God that my father was able to help pay our bills. That's how I spent my birthday last Oct.2nd. I would love to say that's the last time I will spend it that way.
    Patty
    [email protected]

  14. Happy Birthday! I love spending my birthday (Christmas Eve) with my husband and son and attending the Christmas Eve service. It is absolutely beautiful every year!

  15. Renee, a very happy birthday to you! It sounds like a wonderful day for you and what a great gift you received this year in bringing your precious daughter home.

    My dream birthday would be to sleep in for a bit and have a chance to just have a few hours to relax and enjoy coffee and prayer.

    Many blessings to you. I am praying it will be your best year thus far on your earthly journey.

    Love, Caroline

    [email protected]

  16. Hope you have a very blessed Birthday! (It's so cool that you share a BD with one of my dearest friends.) I'm glad you are spending the day with your sweet family and Jesus, doing exactly what you enjoy!

    My birthday falls on Easter this year so I'll be spending it Rejoicing in our Lord with my family and friends.

    Blessings,
    Debbie

  19. ♥ HAPPY BIRTHDAY ♥
    (again… LOL)

    My b'day is Oct 31, so you can imagine the … "competition" for time & attention on *my* special day. It's hard to get away from all the evil imagery on that day. I so want it to be a pure & holy day. And since my husband is a musician, I have lately been spending my b'day alone {sniff}{sniff} (LOL), answering the doorbell, handing out candy. They neighbourhood kids really don't care that it's my birthday. They just want the treats (that's another long, yet funny, story for another time).

    My fav b'day was early in our marriage (we've been married 7 yrs, mind you) when Rich somehow didn't have to work. We went to the ocean on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State (Kalaloch Lodge) and watched the storms roll in & out, over the churning ocean. But even the restaurant had h'ween decorations up. I just can't escape it.

    Last yr, after all the neighbourhoods came & the "outsiders" were making their way to our street, I put the candy out in a big bowl & headed up stairs to spend time w/ Jesus & God's word. We had our own little b'day party, just the 4 of us (the Holy spirit was there, too).

    Happy B'day! ♥ ♥

    Nancy M.
    [email protected]

  20. Happy Birthday, Renee!!

    I like to spend my birthdays much like you are spending yours today. As long as I am surrounded by the people I love the most (my family) and get a break from cooking a meal, I'm happy! 🙂

    Rachel
    [email protected]

  22. A happy birthday to you a happy birthday to you, may you feel Jesus near every day of the year, a happy birthday to you a happy birthday to you and the BEST year you've ever had!!! (again) I did this on FB….
    Hope you have a blessed day!
    I love to go out to dinner with all of my family..hubby, four boys, BIL&SIL; 3kids, MIL, Mom & DAD!
    eagleswingsblog(at)yahoo(dot)com
    Deborah

  23. Happy Birthday! How generous of you to share it!

    I would love to get to sleep in on my birthday – that's pretty rare here – and then to be able to spend as long as I wanted with my Bible and notebooks. I'm loving Wendy Pope's 'class!' Hanging out with my family for the rest of the day would be fun (with no laundry, of course) because my kids get so excited about birthdays that they make the day extra special without even trying. Hope you get to have a wonderful day with yours!

    Amy
    [email protected]

  24. Happy Birthday Renee and thank you for sharing your day with all of us. I enjoy a day away usually-pedicuare, lunch or dinner with family and friends and some great ice-cream!
    Cheryl
    [email protected]

  25. Sounds like a great day, Renee. I can just picture you. Now as for me, I really liked to celebrate all week – until I got to be about 43 and then I finally settled for one day of celebration. And my boys calling me Pretty, Pretty Princess is a requirement on my bday. I sound like quite the selfish girl, don't I.
    Really, your day sounds perfect. loe you and you are a blessings!

  26. Happy Birthday Renee. Today is my b-day as well. I usually enjoy low key b-days. As a kid, I always hoped for a snow day from school. Currently enjoying my day by reading your blog, drinking a Starbucks my boss brought me after lunch and enjoying the flowers my dad sent. He has sent me flowers on my b-day for years, even when I was still in high school back in the 80's.
    Enjoy your day.
    Robin

  27. Happy birthday Ms. Renee! I'd like to spend the next special day with my sweet man, alone. I'm commenting to say I received the devotional, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young this past birthday from a dear friend. I love love love this little book and used it as Christmas presents to four of my close friends. Have a good day, Judy.

  28. What a wonderful way to spend your special day! Happy Birthday! I love you and pray that this will be your best year yet… although… I can't imagine how you could ever top last year. But God…

    Birthday Hugs!
    LeAnn

  29. Happy Birthday!
    I don't like a big fan fare on my birthday. I too like to just spend it with my family. My now 17 year old son was born the day before my birthday, so it is simply more fun to celebrate with him!

    Enjoy your evening!
    Shannon

  30. Happy Birthday Mrs. Swope!!!

    I Hope its the best yet!!

    My birthdays have always been low key(because of my choice) I enjoy waking up at the exact time i was born 7:02 a.m and pray. Then my mom and my sisters take me out to eat!!

    Blessings
    Yvonne
    [email protected]

  31. Happy Birthday, Renee! I hope you are having a fabulous day! I like to take the day off work for my birthday and pretty much do nothing. Last year my husband took off with me and we just spent the day hanging out together. Perfect! Then we had a quite dinner with friends.
    [email protected]

  32. Happy Birthday Sweet Friend,

    I thought for sure you'd be off on a romantic lunch/shopping getaway with JJ. I'm sure you're having a wonderful time with Jesus and Beth Moore instead 🙂

    Love ya much,
    Leah

  33. You know, this past December I spent my birthday just doing normal things that would probably seem a bit boring to most. I did cancel a few appointments so I could enjoy the details of the day. I realized that the simple acts of caring for my little girl, doing my normal farm and house work and then going to church for choir practice and coming home to my loving family was what I was all about. Those "little" things are what makes me… me. They are representative of what I've accomplished over the last 34 years and I cherish them greatly. As you said, Renee, I was filled! I didn't need the pampering. I look forward to spending my next birthday the very same way.

    AnnaMc
    [email protected]
    http://annamccracken.blogspot.com/

  34. Happy Birthday Renee
    I love to spend my birthday with my friends and family.
    With Love & blessings,
    Renea H
    Candler,nc

  35. Happy Birthday Renee.
    May the Spirit of the Lord always go before you and lead you to your heart's desires. May the joy of the Lord be the song of your days and the peace of the Lord be the gift to your soul. May the love of the Lord touch everything you do and remind you you're forever blessed.
    Usually I go out to dinner with my dad and maybe one of my sisters. Sometimes my other sister will take me out to lunch. Although,these times are special my famly has never given me any type of a party in my adult years like they have done for my sisters. This year I decided that it was time to do something different. I decided that I want to visit my Spiritual mother for the week of my birthday. I have a June birthday and I'm looking forward to the fun.
    [email protected]

  37. First of all, Happy Birthday Renee!!! It's so funny to see you doing a "My Favorite Things" giveaway on your birthday, because that is exactly what I've been planning to do on mine – next week!

    That said, I'd love to spend my birthday with…
    (1) a day off from work
    (2) a day of reading, writing, listening to my favorite Christian music
    (3) bubblebath
    (4) getting my hair done
    (5) extended quiet time with Jesus

    [email protected]

  38. Happy Birthday, Renee! I always get so happy when I see you have a new post! I normally have a double birthday celebration…one going out for dinner with my two beautiful daughters and husband and then a second celebration with my sister and my two best friends (also sisters). We usually go to dinner and exchange gifts…but a spa date getting pampered with them sounds great!!

  39. Happy Birthday to you!!! I pray God richly blesses you with many many more.

    My family has never really made a big deal over birthdays but my perfect idea of a perfect bday is much like yours. I would love to just lounge around the house reading, writing and being quiet without anything being expected from me.

  40. Happy, Happy Birthday!!! I LOVE birthdays. They are a reason to celebrate, a reason to shower someone you love with unexpected suprizes, a reason to smile. I'm a March baby and an only child. I have requested a german chocolate cake this year.
    I don't like to be alone on my birthday but I also don't like a fuss. I just want the quiet companionship of those I love. My birthday falls in the middle of the week this year, so I will work during that day. I am thinking that a nice dinner out somewhere afterwards would be good and then a quiet evening at home.

  41. Happy Birthday Renee! Hope your day is wonderful!
    I love birthdays…my husband & I each have 3 younger siblings and since they were all still at home until a couple years ago, we would try to get home on a weekend near each birthday to celebrate. My birthday is the week before Thanksgiving and although I know we'll have pumpkin pie again in a couple days, one of my favorite things on my birthday is pumpkin pie. The best birthday I've celebrated so far was the year my husband & I were in South Padre with my family. We sat as a family on the beach, no one else was around and watched the sunrise.
    Our first baby is due at the end of February so I imagine my birthday celebrations will probably be different in the future…can't wait!
    Megan
    [email protected]

  42. Happy Bday, Renee!! I hope you enjoy your simple day that sounds like heaven. And I giggled when I heard your favorite drink is from McDonalds. Aren't you easy to please?! My birthday is in April and I think a quiet day with coffee and writing would be just about the best thing ever.

  43. Happy Birthday Renee! You are such an encouragement to so many women, and your birth is truly a reason to celebrate!

    I like to spend my birthday surrounded by the people I love: my family and friends. This year my husband and I are debating a trip to Notre Dame, IN to spend my birthday with my favorite football team: The Fighting Irish! Either way, just to be blessed with another day is wonderful:)

    Crystal
    [email protected]

  44. Happy Birthday Renee. I pray that the Lord blesses you in mighty ways today!!!
    My favorite way to spend my birthday is with my family. They pour out their love on me all day and make me feel special. Also, my friends are a huge part of making that day wonderful!
    Many blessings to you,
    Debbie
    (Thanks for praying for my daughter, Ashley. I read your prayer to her.)

  46. Well Happy Birthday to you!

    How would I spend my bday?

    Hmmmm. That's a good question. On my last bday, I was 9 months pregnant and couldn't really have fun with the whole thing. So this year…since my bday is in summer….I think I want to go for a long run, have a meal with my kids and husband…and then have some time alone – reading or something 🙂 Or…I'd love it if my Mama was in town and we could go shopping and such:)

    Enjoy your special day, girl!

    – Kate 🙂

  47. Happy Birthday Renee! My birthday is in the wonderful month of June. For several years now I have spent my birthday at home (my favorite place in the world). My husband Jim will grill and my children, Jim and I stay in the pool all day. That is absolutely my most favorite way to spend each birthday. May you with our Jesus enjoy your special day.

  48. Hope you have a wonderful birthday! Enjoy resting in Him alone! My birthday is in the fall so I love to go to the beach and take a long walk. And I love watching my kids play on the beach. There is something at the beach that always reminds me of His goodness and His power. I am in awe of all that He created for us!

    Blessings,
    Christine
    [email protected]

  49. Hope you have a Happy Birthday. The way I enjoy spending my b-day is with my family. I have 3 little boys and a wonderful husband. I am not one that likes a big party and lots of attention. My husband travels singing in churches, so if he can be home on my b-day that means more than anything. Thank you for sharing and again HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
    Alaina
    [email protected]