Happy Birthday To Me!!!
Last Sunday was my birthday!
It was a pretty amazing day.
I woke up, snuggled next to my man, feeling reflective and grateful.
My two little's ran in, jumped up on the bed, and wished me a happy birthday.
As we all cuddled on the bed I took a mental snapshot. Oh how blessed I am! These are moments to remember. To feel loved by the people I love most.
My birthday was on a Sunday this year. I quite enjoy Sunday's and having my birthday on my favorite day of the week was good.
As I got ready for church I got a little emotional reflecting on where I am in life right now.
The pathway that has gotten me here, the choices I have made, the choices we have made, our challenges, our achievements, my own struggles and joys.
I am happy. I have so much. My life is full. I am so blessed.
The kids and I went to church and many people wished me Happy Birthday. I felt some love!
I came home to my favorite food (at the moment), vegetable tempura and yellow curry from Saigon Bangkok. It was an awesome surprise! I am so famished sometimes after church and I'm sooo in love with this food! I got to eat all of it myself (gave up the gross mushrooms of course) while Matt got the kids fed. Deeeeliscious!
Next my cute hubbs brought up this ice cream cake... a yummy treat!
My family sang to me.
Just before I blew out my candles one of the kids called out, "Make a wish!".
I stopped. I hesitated. My mind was blank!
Do you still make wishes?
I had absolutely nothing! I guess when our minds and hearts are full of gratitude, when we feel satisfied with what we have, there is little or nothing to wish for...
I guess that as I have gotten older I have learned that wishes take work! Nothing that I want comes without some time and sacrifice.
I don't wish for, I work for!
Has reality stolen my need to wish?
Maybe reality has given me contentment so I don't need to wish!
After eating our yum cake the kids all gave me the cards they made me. Q also made me earrings.
These photos make me so happy! I love being mom to these kids. They are my greatest achievement!
Next M told me he had one last gift, but that we'd have to get in the van for it.
Birthday reality, wishes and surprises... I had no idea what was coming, but I was enjoying that!
We got in the van and he kept asking what I thought it was.
There are times when I sort of know what is coming. I had no idea.
He threw me off too with stories of past road trip surprises.
As we got to the end of our road he told me to close my eyes.
I do know that the Equestrian Farm is at the end of our road. I have never been there though, so after I closed my eyes I couldn't visualize where I was anymore!
I kept my eyes closed and my little boys led me to our destination.
I could smell the horses just before I opened my eyes!
Indeed we were at the stables, but I still wasn't sure what my gift was.
We walked around for a minute and found a lady.
Matt told me this was my instructor. He had bought me riding lessons.
Whaaaaat? Cooooool! Amazing! Yahooooo!
We walked around and looked at the horses and talked about my riding experience and what to expect.
We talked with the owner, who M had talked with. She told me my man was a good one. He had shared with them my dreams and wanted to create something special for me.
He is amazing! This is a really good gift!
I was still shocked and in awe. Mostly because I hadn't even thought about taking riding lessons, but I really want to! I was a little choked up!
My reality is this amazing man that works to make my wishes and dreams come true.
This was an amazing birthday surprise!
I made my first appointment, which was yesterday (Uuuuuumazing!) then headed home for more birthday joy!
Usually if I write stuff down I at least remember something is coming up.
I did, in fact write my birthday in my calendar, after my husband reminded me it was coming up!
Still it slipped my mind several times, because lets be real, I can only focus on so many things at one time!
I am awful at remembering what is coming up. I am even worse at knowing what day it actually is!
When my friend Kari texted me saying she'd be in town I totally invited her over for a Sunday gathering and asked who she'd like to invite. I got going on a little gathering for her... so excited to see her!
It wasn't until Saturday, that I realized the two things were on the same day. It was actually when G asked me if I was having a birthday party... um, nope I was planning a gathering for Kari.
Whatever, it's my birthday... I crashed my Kari party with my own party!
I love these women, and were it not for Kari coming into town I don't think we would've celebrated 'me' together!
We sat and visited, laughed and ate. It was a beautiful evening.
Shawn made my favorite chicken wing dip, Kari brought a cake, and my friends even brought me gifts! They are awesome!
I felt so loved! It was such a great day!
Today I am 38 and one week.
I welcome another year.
Bring them on.
Life is beautiful.
I have purpose.
My life is full of meaning and joy.
I have experienced much, learned volumes, continue to grow and change.
I am blessed to mark another year of this amazing life.