46 Years

I turned 46 years old yesterday.

It was the sweetest of days…a celebration of the beautiful God who gave me this life,  family, friends, laughter, quiet moments, and simple joys:

*receiving lavender roses (my very favorite!) from my beloved husband

*beginning the day in prayer for our precious children at the weekly Moms In Touch meeting

*lingering over a cup of coffee with a dear friend, sharing hearts and faith and laughter

*hearing my aunt and two uncles sing “Happy Birthday” to me over the phone from Pennsylvania, as they have done every year of my life

*smiling at the sight of one of my all-time favorite birthday presents from Ida Mae: my laughing moose:

With a simple turn of a switch, he  emits huge belly laughs  while rolling all around. It is perfectly fitting since laughter defines our relationship.

*catching a glimpse of my sweet girl from the window as she stood outside on the deck, drenched in the spring sunshine, strawberry-blonde hair blowing freely in the wind, smiling for the camera as she took a self-portrait

*picking my son up from track practice; face flushed from a good workout, chatting excitedly about all he is learning from his coaches and looking forward to the upcoming season

“How long do I really have to figure out how to live full of grace, full of joy…before these beautiful children fly the coop and my mothering days fold up quiet?”–Ann Voskamp

*a fresh new journal from my dear friend-who-is-like-a-sister, Destiny…a place to record treasured moments from my life…as well as the myriad of ways that Jesus makes Himself known and visible to me every single day

*having a sweet conversation with the wonderful woman who gave birth to me all those years ago and found herself suddenly cast as the parent to one of the strongest-willed children ever to walk this earth…and has the gray hairs and battle scars to prove it! 🙂

*enjoyed a delicious dinner with Doug (who happily served as cook!), the kids, and my brother Jeff

*and speaking of Jeff, he wins the Best Brother of the Year award because he gave me one of these as a birthday gift:

For a bookaholic like me, this is a perfect gift! I initially resisted because I love the feel of a solid book in my hands but I am told that I will love this new technology. I can’t wait to download my first book! Any suggestions?

I am a blessed woman who is rich in all the ways that truly matter.

Life is good. 🙂

“Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.”–Kafka