Happy Birthday To Me!

Yesterday I turned 39! 39 seems like a big number. I am not afraid of getting older it just seems to be happening so fast! I really enjoy spending time with friends and family. I decided that I need to not have giant expectations and plan what I wanted. My day was perfect! At first I thought we should do school but quickly changed my mind. The weather was beautiful and my children are old enough to help get ready to do things. We hooked up a Trail a Long bike I bought for Ruby and put Liberty in the bike seat and headed out. What I did not know was that you actually have to know how to balance and it was really difficult for Taylor to balance both her and Ruby, we ended up trading bikes (I like mine way better). We only went a mile and a half from home when we had to turn around because Ruby needs more practice.
The highlight of my day was everyone coming over for a BBQ! We even had people come who happened to stop by at the perfect time! The more the merrier. Really, I just wanted people to come but I was blessed with amazing gifts as well. I got my own set of colored pencils from Taylor, a Popsicle stick picture frame and picture from Ian, a Goodwill gift card "from one addict to another" (Syndi), Plus she also got me a super wonderful my favorite cup from Starbucks and a gift card there as well! My friend Shelly got us this really cool game to play at dinner time to direct the conversation.
Our conversation at dinner tonight was rhyming, "I can rhyme with corn: horn, thorn, torn, porn, worn, .... I can rhyme with stick: pick, nick, hick, prick, lick, wick..... I can rhyme with .... I just kept getting worse! But I digress I am thankful for a way to direct our conversations.
Shelly also gave me a coupon for babysitting for all the children and right when I opened it Erik fell backwards in his chair and the chair legs barely missed Libby who was sitting right in front of him. Shelly did not even skip a beat and said, "yep, that one too!" I can't wait to cash in on that one! I got some wonderful cards that really do mean the world to me and most of them contained cash! I had to laugh that Jess and my mom both said to make sure to use it on myself! and to treat myself to a pedicure (they both know how very much that makes me smile, and the anticipation is as much fun(almost) as the actual pedicure. I am going to use the money my mother in law gave me for a new pair of shoes! I love shoes I really need some slip on shoes with good arch support and comfort, any suggestions?
Tami has an amazing way of making things happen and she miraculously acquired and delivered an elliptical after mine broke!
Ruby was adamant that everyone sing to me and she would not let up until that happened, it was priceless to see her face light up. I am not sure but I think she might have enjoyed it more than me, well that and the brownies and ice cream!
I am really grateful for my life and my friends. I can't wait to see what the next 39 bring, and the 39 after that.....
Dear Lord,
I pray that you will use me to be a blessing to others. That you will use me to build others up, to encourage them, to be a light for your glory. I pray that you will continue to mold me and change me into a reflection of your grace. Please provide me with your wisdom, discernment and joy! I pray that others will know your love through the way I treat them. Thank you Jesus for revealing yourself to me, for forgiving all of my shortcomings and for your patience.
Amen.