by pennifold 09 Oct 2020

Hi to all the Cuties who know me. I just had to share this occasion with you.

Tomorrow is my birthday and for the first time in many, many years all my family are going to be together. My son Ben has been trying for more access to his 3 boys. He separated from his ex wife Naomi in February 2019 and Ben came back home to live with us. He (and the rest of the family) wasn’t allowed to see his boys for 200 days due to a court ruling. Around May this year we got to see the boys every Sunday. I won’t go into all the details but last week after the third round of mediation he finally has been allowed to have more access. He can have overnight weekend access every fortnight and 3 hours on a Wednesday arvo. My Mother couldn’t understand why she wasn’t allowed to see them. I had to explain it was a ruling of the court due to Naomi’s wishes.
So last Sunday Mum actually saw them for the first time in nearly 2 years. Little Cohen was only 4 (when she last saw him) and was a bit timid but by the end of the day was his exuberant self.
Come tomorrow we are all going to see the boys. My daughter Dana and her 3 kids Ryke, Jasana and Aqualina and younger daughter Amy, Steve, Ophelie and Delphi will be there along with Ben’s new partner Mia and her 4 children. Ben’s boys don’t know we are all coming, so to see their cousins after all this time will be very emotional. I can’t wait.
This will be my best birthday ever. I just am so happy that we can all be together. Please say a prayer for us all. Love Chris
P.S. The picture below is from one of our Sunday lunches at our place. Ben has shaved off the beard to a better shape since!!

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by jerrib 09 Oct 2020

Happy Birthday Chris: This is a special one with all the Family. Trust me, the issue with Naomi will come back and bite her in the butt. I don't understand how she can deny their Father the right to spend time with his boys. She will live to regret this, believe me as they will turn against her when the realize the situation.
I hate it when a parent uses the children in their battles.

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pennifold by pennifold 10 Oct 2020

Thanks so much and I hear you Jerri. It's been a constant battle, but I have my faith to carry me through and good things come to those who wait, right? Love Chris

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by shirley124 09 Oct 2020

Happy Birthday Chris. Have a lovely time with your family. I am sure everyone is going to be so happy. Hugs

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pennifold by pennifold 10 Oct 2020

Hi Shirley, yes, it was one big happy day. Love Chris

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by tuross 09 Oct 2020

Chris what a wonderful and memorable way to spend your birthday. I hope you all have a happy and blessed day with many more just like it in the future.

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pennifold by pennifold 10 Oct 2020

Hi Lynne, yes, it was one I'll not forget. To see all the cousins together was worth the wait. Love Chris

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by lilylady 09 Oct 2020

Happy Birthday and best wishes for a happy day!!

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pennifold by pennifold 10 Oct 2020

Thanks Sandy, I had a ball. Love Chris

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by babash 09 Oct 2020

Happy Birthday. I hope you have a wonderful day with lots of noise and kids all so happy and excited to see each other again.

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pennifold by pennifold 09 Oct 2020

Thanks so much Barbara. I just wish my sister (Jewls from Tumby Bay) could be here too. Hopefully now that the South Australian border has been opened she can come up here before the end of the year. We were meant to be coming to Adelaide in May this year, but as you know Coronavirus got in the way! Love Chris

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by dailylaundry 09 Oct 2020

Oh, wow, a wonderful houseful - enjoy your special day. Can't wait to hear all about your Birthday and family celebration!! Enjoy, Happy Birthday, Laura

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pennifold by pennifold 09 Oct 2020

Thanks Laura, I will definitely be taking piccies today as I'm sure Ben will be too. Love Chris

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by clintonmiss22 09 Oct 2020

Sounds like it will be a wonderful birthday! Family is so important. There were 11 of us last night at my daughter's for a grandson's 20th birthday. Hadn't seen some of the folks since before New Year's Day.

Love your handprint pictures - I assume of the grandchildren? cute!

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pennifold by pennifold 09 Oct 2020

Thanks so much and happy birthday to your grandson. How wonderful to have one 20. Our eldest is only 14! Yes, you are right they were done years ago. The last one of Cohen top right, is just a blur cause he was a baby and Ben was trying to get him to open his hand and he couldn't get it done! It's a real talking point when the kids see it. Love Chris

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by airyfairy 09 Oct 2020

Wishing you a wonderful day with your family. Enjoy. Hugs Sarah

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pennifold by pennifold 09 Oct 2020

Thanks so much my dear friend. Love the birthday pugs! Love Chris

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by crafter2243 Moderator 09 Oct 2020

Sounds like the best Birthday and best gift of all "family". Enjoy every minute having everybody together. Happy Birthday!!!!

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pennifold by pennifold 09 Oct 2020

Hi Angie, yes, it's the best birthday present I could ever have asked for. Love Chris

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by toogie 09 Oct 2020

Oh how sweet! My eyes are watering. I know this is worth more than any material present. When our families are broken or hurting, we feel the pain. I’m so glad things are improving and you will all be together again. Happy Birthday my friend! May you be blessed with good health and happiness with your family’s presence.

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pennifold by pennifold 09 Oct 2020

Hi Toogie, that's exactly how I feel. Family is my life! And it's been killing me not being able to do something about it to ease Ben's pain. I've been praying so much for this to happen, it's just so wonderful to finally see it happening. Can't wait! God is good!!!!! Love Chris

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by 02kar Moderator 09 Oct 2020

A very happy birthday to you and what a wonderful joyous day it will be. I'm so glad you will now be able to see your grandsons regularly and they will know just how loved they are by their entire family.

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pennifold by pennifold 09 Oct 2020

Oh! Karen, how beautiful. Yes, you are right. We at least have had the privilege of being able to see the boys, whereas little Delphi doesn't even remember Cohen, they are a year apart in age. Cohen will be 6 in February next year and Delphi is 7 next Saturday 17th October. So many precious years lost! Love Chris

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by sdrise 09 Oct 2020

Happy birthday Chris!! Enjoy your special day with the family!!

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pennifold by pennifold 09 Oct 2020

Thanks so much Suzanne, I'm so looking forward to the cacophony of noise that's going to eventuate! 20 of us all vying for speech! Love Chris

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by dragonflyer 09 Oct 2020

Such wonderful news, Chris....Best Birthday gift ever!

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pennifold by pennifold 09 Oct 2020

Hi Kim, exactly, couldn't have wished for anything better. Trevor came in with my birthday card and another longer shaped one - $250.00AUD gift voucher to Thorpe's my favourite fabric/sewing machine shop!!!!!!!!! Yeah!!!! Love Chris

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by jrob Moderator 09 Oct 2020

Happy birthday sweet Chris! I think from your tone that you have already received the desire of your heart for your birthday! Love, Jerrilyn

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pennifold by pennifold 09 Oct 2020

Hi Jerrilyn, you've got it down pat! I am so happy to finally have answered prayer. They say good things come to those who wait. I've been praying for this for years, all in God's time eh? Thanks for your friendship, love Chris

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by mops Moderator 09 Oct 2020

I think and hope this will be your best birthday ever! Hugs, Martine

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pennifold by pennifold 09 Oct 2020

Hi Martine, that's exactly what I am feeling. I can't wait till 3.00pm. Amy has made me the most beautiful 4 tiered sponge cake (cake pans were too big, so she decided to put less batter in them and so made 4 layers) It's just gone 7.15am Saturday morning as I write this and I got my first phone call at 6.30am from Ben and Mia, they are beyond excited about today. Love Chris

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by maleah 09 Oct 2020

Have the most wonderful, memorable birthday filled with love.. Take a lot of pictures.---from Tennessee

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pennifold by pennifold 09 Oct 2020

Thanks so much Cori, I am sure there are going to be stacks of pictures taken. Love Chris

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by mrskiki 09 Oct 2020

Happy Birthday to you. Have a wonderful visit. We all now have experienced some distance from our grands so have a little idea of your pain. Hugs all around. Nan

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pennifold by pennifold 09 Oct 2020

Thanks Nan, yes, it's been a rough year what with all that has been going on in the world. Love Chris

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by sebsews 09 Oct 2020

First, Happy birthday to you! Sounds like it will be a joyful day! Sorry for the past months and years of not being able to see your family. Sending prayers!

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pennifold by pennifold 09 Oct 2020

Thanks Suzanna, yes, it's been rough, and I know there are others on here who have gone through similar events. Can't wait for the day to begin. Love Chris

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by marianb 09 Oct 2020

Wonderful news, hope you all have a great visit. Have a very Happy Birthday.

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pennifold by pennifold 09 Oct 2020

Thanks so much Marian, yes, we intend to do so. Love Chris

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by gerryvb 09 Oct 2020

hope you will have a wonderful time together, enjoy every minute. Have a wonderful party and precious celebration. Love, Gerry

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by asterixsew Moderator 09 Oct 2020

Chris great to hear your news. Birthday Greetings for your birthday. My late mother would have been 99.
Enjoy having all your family together and I know great fun will be had by all

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pennifold by pennifold 09 Oct 2020

Hi Caroline, yes, it's going to be a memorable day, can't wait for it to happen. It's going to be 24C so perfect weather! Love Chris
(P.S.Happy birthday to your mother in heaven.)

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