My birthday

This has been one of the best birthdays I've celebrated in a long time. 

It really started last night when my good friend Dawn offered to keep my kids so Brian and I could go out on a date.  The kids love the Brown's kids and house, they knew they would have a blast and were as excited as I was!  Dawn greeted me with a hug and a very thoughtful gift and sweet card.  She helped doll me up with perfume, fancy jewelry, extra hairspray and even some shiny shoes so I could look extra special for my date!  I got to have dinner with Brian and then attend an informational orientation about a program Brian will be starting next week.  It was a really special night for us.

On the way home, I talked with a good friend, Peggy, who I don't get to chat with but about once or twice a year.  It was so nice just catching up with her and finding out what she and her family had been up to... it's always nice catching up with old friends and sharing our lives, even when it's brief.

Then today, Brian took the day off to be home with the kids so I could have the "day off".  After I woke to feed Kolby, I pretty much got to lay around and hang out while Brian took care of meeting everyone's needs.  I really enjoyed the time this morning with the kids, just "hanging out" (as Roman tells everyone) with them, instead of teaching and managing the morning as usual.

Next was meeting Lacey, my sister-in-law and one of my best friends.  She offered to treat me to a free makeover, courtesy of Barescentuals make-up's "Quickie Van", along with lunch and a pedicure.  What a treat!  I love just being with Lacey anyway, but today was fantastic!  We caught up with the Quickie Van almost on accident and were the first to receive make "unders" and then had lunch with another good friend, Kristie, before heading off to shop and have pedicures.

Lacey next to the "Quickie Van"... it's actually like a "SmartCar" with a box on the back of it!  As the girls unloaded boxes and boxes of makeup, Lacey said, "That my dream car!  Never mind that my kids won't fit in it... look at all that make-up!!" :-)

Lacey and me after our make-"unders"

I arrived back home today later than I expected, and was greeted at the door by the girls, Brian, Kolby and a very unhappy Roman-- he had just been awakened from his nap and wasn't too happy.  The girls, on the other hand, were excited to see me because they had made cards and a birthday cake complete with M&Ms in the shape of a heart and "MOM"!  How sweet!  And more than that, they had brought a card and gifts from another really good friend, Sara!  I opened all my gifts with the girls, including something from my mom-in-law, my good friend and the kids... and a really heartfelt, touching card from Brian.  I felt so special and so loved today, and there was even more to come!

Finally, we headed off to my parent's house for my birthday dinner.  My mom had planned this at least a month ago... she always has a special dinner for my brother and me for our birthdays and we get to select the menu.  It rarely happens that we get together on our actual birthday, but because today was Friday, it worked out best for everyone.  Tonight, everyone was going to be there and we were having steak and potatoes.  Because I was late getting home from my outing with Lacey, we were late getting to my mom's for dinner.  So when we arrived, everyone else (Jeff, Lacey and the kids) was already there and dinner was just about ready.  We hung out for a bit and then had dinner.  And after dinner, not even on purpose, the grown-ups ended up sitting together in the living room and watching the digital photo frame we made for my mom a few years back.  It was a really neat night.  Follow all this with cake, ice cream, some great (and much needed) clothes and a new bathing suit... and it was a day to remember!

I've really been able in the last 24 hours to step back-- more than once-- and stand amazed at how blessed I am.  I have the most amazing husband, the most precious children, a fantastic, generous family and some of the kindest friends a girl could ask for.  God has poured out His favor on me, and I am eternally grateful!