What a day!

It was quite the special day today. I turned 35 years old and I can't believe it! How in the world can I be 35? I awoke this morning to a round of Happy Birthday from my beloved groom Tim and my two sweet ones, Justin and Sarah. To open my eyes to this joyous chorus and breakfast in bed was quite the start to a wonderful day! We have a tradition in our family to read our cards and open our gifts in the morning-it's delightful. They were so thoughtful. they each spent time making a card and "put their hearts on paper". They gave me the cutest green purse-it's adorable, and they also got me a big kiss full of chocolates. Simply delicious. Tim took the day off of work and spent the entire day with me. We took the kiddos to school and literally had the whole day to ourselves. Isn't it amazing to have a conversation without absolutely ONE interruption? We commented several times today how amazing it is to complete a sentence. With that said, we spent a lot of the day in rich conversation. We went shopping and pooled both of our birthday money together (Tim has a birthday in a week and a half) and bought a new digital camera. One of the kids who shall remain nameless dropped ours a while back and its just never been the same. So, we went from store to store because of course I had to get the best price and the best quality that our budget would allow! I can say that we are both quite pleased with the result as you can see from the above pictures. We had a nice leisurely lunch at Chipolte'

and came back home for a little R&R before going to pick up the kids from school.
It was a really lovely day~
Tim made my favorite salad for dinner at my request and then we watched the movie "Amazing Grace". From what I saw of the movie, it was really well made. In the middle, another one of our sweet ones who shall remain nameless suddenly remembered that they had spelling homework that needed to be put in ABC order. (35 words no less!) Just between you and me, I really DISLIKE ABC order!

When we finally went to tuck the kids in bed, we discovered that a land mine had blown up in their bedroom. Well, I am exaggerating a bit, but I tell you, it was a MESS! I wish I could say that I was a sweet as my day was, but that was not the case. Sarah ended up in tears and Justin started singing our family theme song, "I Cry Out"-I'm not kidding. I usually sing that song myself when I'm at my whits end and am about to lose it, but he beat me to the punch. I actually said, "Justin, that's really not helping unless you really mean it". He assured me that he meant every word. Who can blame him, it was after 8:30. The evening did end on a positive note with sweet goodnight kisses and prayers at their bedside. Tim and I finished watching Amazing Grace and I most likely will go back and watch it again.

It really was a lovely day today. I thank God that I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband, sweet children, good friends, and a Mom, brother, and sister who really do love me-quirks and all.

Most of all, I am so thankful that God saw fit to create me to love and worship Him. I rejoice that He drew me to Himself at such a tender age of 15 years old. I thank Him for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; not one hair is upon my head that He has not numbered, and not one of my days have come to be without His knowledge. I pray that the next 35 years of my life-God willing-will exude joyous songs of praise for His unfailing love, proclamations of His faithfulness, and lips full of testimony of His grace and goodness.

And, with out a doubt-I am certain that I am blessed.