My Birthday

This was probably the first birthday where I felt it was truly just another day. But yet, sitting back and counting my blessings, that made the day special.

I woke up to a few text messages on my phone from Facebook. I didn't know these messages would pour in all day long. People visiting my wall would post blessings of birthday wishes and prayers. At the end of the day, I counted 60 posts. Oh...wow... is all I can say. Such an outpouring of love I've felt from all my friends!! Thank you so much!!

My day started much like any other. The alarm was set for 8:00 am because I had a doctors appointment and needed to be in Springfield by 9:30 am. Yet, I was awakened by the phone ringing at 7:30 am. Our phone line had been down for almost a week because of a lightning storm that passed through our area. We had no clue that our phone was not working. I had called it in on Monday and they said it would be repaired in the next 24 hours. I didn't know that call would come at 7:30 am. There was a voice on the other end explaining the lightning kicking out our service but it was now fixed. "If everything's okay with you, I consider this completed and move on." I stopped him short though, "Well, I reported when we first moved in that we had some exposed phone wiring inside the house that I wanted repaired. I was really hoping you'd be coming by the house today." "Well, do you have inside wiring maintenance on your bill, so I'll be there in about 10 minutes." Sure enough, scrambling to get dressed and now two kids are awake, in a few minutes he was knocking on my door. He came in and worked on the outlets. Yeah, we had our phone back! Finally about 9:00 am, he left and we had to get out the door to Springfield.

Dropped off the kids with my dad, took my insulin drink and headed for my appointment with the OB. Because I was wearing my "Birthday Girl" badge, everyone kept saying, happy birthday, aww you have to see your doctor on your birthday. But really, I was grateful. Not only did I get to leave the house and spend the day with my family but here at the doctor's office I got to hear the heartbeat of this precious one growing inside.

A great checkup...on to lunch. I drove home to gather up my dad and my kids, and we headed on to Golden Corral where I could eat free. Whoops, at checkout they informed me as of 5/1 it was now only half-price. Oh well. The kids and I ate with my mom and dad. They had a chocolate fountain. I think the kids enjoyed it...

After lunch, my dad wanted to go home and the kids were ready for naps. As we pulled into his driveway, I realized it was Tuesday and we had a $2.00 pass to Jump Mania. Dad got out, and we drove on. For almost four hours, the kids enjoyed jumping in the bounce houses at JM. As we were getting ready to leave, Little Bird climbed up into the purse shelves and lay down.

I phoned the rest of my family and we decided on Pasta House for supper to continue my birthday celebration. It was a great meal. As we were leaving my "three kids" ventured out to the porch swing and had a grand-ole time.

We all then loaded up our cars and headed home. Since we were next door to Braums, as I was driving out, I slipped into the drive-through and ordered myself a mint chocolate chip shake. When the lady handed it to me at the window, I said, "It's my birthday cake in a cup," and snickered with a smile. She giggled and said, "happy birthday!"

After we got home, the kids were wound up and were riding bikes in the driveway. Little Bird climbed up into the stroller and kept yelling, "walk, Daddy, walk!" I told Hubby, "I guess it's been decided." So I went inside and grabbed a few jackets as the night air was quite chilly and we ventured out for an "evening constitutional."

It was a quiet time of reflection for me and I shared a few of my thoughts with Hubby as we walked. He mostly kept up with Ben on his trike as I pushed the stroller contently along. We have such a great neighborhood, a closed in little circular street, a small quiet town that for the most part feels safe and neighborly. We have our first home, two beautiful kids, one on the way (which was quite active during our walk), a great job for Hubby that provides, and the blessings of family and friends all day long... What a GREAT birthday! What a GREAT God who so lovingly, perfectly provides.