HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MANDY LYNN!

It's 35 years since Merle and Sandra had two eventful trips.  They had gone to Shaunavon, expecting the new baby to arrive there.  But a problem was anticipated with the delivery as the baby was breech.  Sandra was sent by ambulance to Swift Current and Merle followed in his own vehicle.  He had to wait for a train somewhere along the way.  It's a good thing Sandra wasn't with him as by the time he arrived at the Swift Current hospital, his new daughter had already been delivered.  She had arrived feet first but all was well with mother and baby.  Mandy was welcomed by big brother Jason, who was almost five, and big sister Mareena who was 18 months (and already trained!).

Last year, according to my blog, Mandy spent her birthday in Frontier.  Sanford relatives from Kansas were up visiting and there was homemade ice cream on the menu that evening.

In 2007, Mandy, Rick, Drew and Ty were here on her birthday.  We were celebrating the 100th anniversary of our farm on July 15th.  They missed out on that celebration but they were here in time to help with some preparations.  Rick helped Todd and Kristy refinish the outside walls of our cedar log house.  Mandy did some landscaping and we tried out a mulch made from recyled rubber tires that the Peakmans were handling at the time.  It's still looking good, Mandy!

Mandy's birthday with the Johnson's
Ty is anxious to blow out those candles!

Both Mandy and Mareena are top notch decorators.  Here's an example of Mandy's creativity displayed above Drew's bed.  She used 18 mirror tiles arranged in three rows of six tiles.  A space was left between the second and third row of tiles and a narrow shelf from Ikea was inserted there.  A large black intitial D is at the top and Drew has room to display small items on the black shelf. (The mirrors are showing the closet doors and a hockey picture on the opposite wall.)

Mandy with a hammock full of little kids

B.Ed  U of S graduate

Mandy graduated from the University of SK with a bachelor of education degree.  She has been a full time mom to Drew and Ty and is a devoted auntie to her nieces and nephews.  She loves to have company and we have enjoyed their warm hospitality several times.  We even brought friends from Norway for an overnight stay!

I'm not sure where you are spending your birthday this year, but we know it will be with family and friends who are celebrating this special person in their lives.  Have a very Happy Birthday, Mandy.  See you next week!