John's Mardi Gras Birthday Party

I planned a great meal with new recipes he had picked out. I made White Cheddar Chicken Pasta (from pinterest) , Pioneer Woman's Crash Hot Potatoes, and Strawberry Shortcake (his favorite since we began dating).



I love how excited the kids get to celebrate BIRTHdays. I had each of them tell John why they were grateful he was born. Most of them recognized that without his birth, they would not be here.



John's birthday fell on Ash Wednesday this year so we celebrated the night before which is traditionally known as Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday,or Shrove Tuesday. Mardi gras is French for Fat Tuesday. That is why Louisiana is known for their elaborate celebrations. The celebration originally came from France. French settlers settled in Louisiana (Louisiana was named after Louis XIV, King of France from 1643–1715) bringing this tradition with them.


Although, the tradition of the beautiful masks has evolved into pagan meanings, the original purpose was to portray the virtue of Humility. With a mask on, everybody either be a king or a pauper was equal representing how God views us all equally with the same love.








On Friday, just John and I went out to celebrate his birth while my brother watched our kids. We enjoyed soup and salad at the Olive Garden and got to finally see the new movie "Act of Valor." AWESOME movie about the Navy Seals. We have been waiting to see this movie for about a year. So very good if you like those type of movies.