The perfect age

Well, another birthday has come. Since turning 30 a few years ago, I started dreading birthdays, but in light of recent events in my life that have caused me to take stock of my life this year I feel differently. I still wish time would slow down. These precious kids are growing up way too fast! I am feeling much more thankful for this birthday than I have in the last few years. I am very thankful for my family and for every moment God has given me with them.

I was blessed with some sweet home-made crafts from my daughters. Hannah made me a paper butterfly with a balloon taped to the end filled with Reece's Pieces (my favorite candy) and gum. Genna made me one of their famous bottle cap dolls which I haven't posted about yet. The girls collect bottle caps and have started making bottle cap dolls out of them with recycled material they confiscate from around the house. Their grand plan is to sell them and give all the money they make to the poor. Sweethearts!

Here it is, made with pipe cleaners, paper, tape, and a bottle cap.
Sorry for the poor picture!

Brian gave me a gift card for a massage and some coffee which was very thoughtful and a much needed mini vacation. It's funny because all the birthday cards I got in the mail had a similar theme to them. Relax. Take time for yourself. I got the message loud and clear and even though my birthday was a "normal: hectic school day (add in baking and making valentines cards for a party,) with my massage gift card I see a day in the future when I will get to do just that. Thank you friends and family for all the warm wishes!

My husband surprised me with a late birthday dinner Friday night after the girls' basketball game with all the kids and a surprise visitor, Uncle Frank, at Macaroni Grill. It was a nice dinner and the kids made it through despite the late hour for them. Hannah was exhausted though and didn't even have the energy to eat some of my birthday dessert. Drew fell asleep during dinner, just a little later than his normal bedtime. Everyone was too tired even for stories by the time we got home. We all just fell into bed.