A Birthday to Remember

I have been spoiled completely and utterly rotten by my family. I have been loved on and pampered to the point of oblivion. Steve, the mastermind of the whole operation, made sure I had the best birthday ever! On Friday night, we went to Pizza Man's for our annual birthday pizza. We even ran into our favorite former Pizza Man server, Jamie, so that was cool. It seems she was always working on my birthday in the years past. This time she was having dinner! Of course, she stopped to wish me a happy birthday. It's a shame I'm so much younger....tee hee.

On Saturday, Steve and the girls went shopping for my birthday, which had them all in super giggly spy mode, as they just love to surprise me! I love it too, by the way. So, having the house all to myself (again), I went outside and played in the dirt and bark for 4 hours. I turned on a radio station that was playing flashback music, which happened to come from my high school days. How fitting! I was groovin' and movin' out there in the backyard, having a ball.
What was really great too, was that while they were out shopping for me, they also took my grocery list and did the grocery shopping I was going to do. Oh, I despise grocery shopping, so that was a gift in itself!!

Later that night, I was treated to yet another birthday dinner. I knew they had spent way too much money on me during the day, so I suggested we go somewhere cheaper since we had just eaten out the night before. Nope. There would be none of that practical stuff. We went to one of my favorite places...Olive Garden!! This was my birthday weekend, and the stops were being pulled out! Oh, the food was glorious!! It was glorious for lunch on Sunday too!

Who knew turning the big 4-0 would be such a big deal? Well, who's complaining? Not me, or Sara the server, because Steve is a big tipper.

Well, that apparently wasn't enough of a celebration for the birthday party planner, Steve. It wasn't even my birthday yet. On Sunday after church, we began preparations for a family cookout with my parents. I suppose they're pretty important in this birthday thing too, since without them, I would probably be someone else's daughter or maybe a dog or a horse. Tee hee.

Steve was tied up writing something all afternoon, and the girls were mysteriously absent, having spent a lot of time in the basement. Turns out, they were wrapping gifts, and gifts did they deliver. I was a bit shocked at all the presents, but the look on their faces was priceless. Again, a gift in itself.

Steve presented me with the project that had him busy all day....a handwritten letter, expressing his love for me from the time we met, throughout our experiences, to the present time. It told of how he can look back now and see where God led us to each other. It was the most touching, loving, and most humble letter I have ever or will ever receive. He told me I wouldn't cry, but I will when I can read it in its entirety. I deliberately skimmed it, because I know how I am, and blubbering while opening presents just didn't seem like fun. It was truly from his heart, and I can't tell you how much it meant to me. There are no truly fitting words. One day, our daughters will have this letter in their possession. Another gift.

So, I opened the first gift, and I was speechless, although I kind of guessed it. I am now the proud owner of my very own laptop!!! Steve called it the "push" for my "jump", knowing how much I need it for my writing, and he wants to support whatever I decide to do. very humbling indeed.

The girls got me U of M pajama bottoms and lounge tops, earrings, a CD, slippers, and a bunch of bath and body works stuff (supposedly from Sophie). Serena told me she read all the cards before she chose the one with Snoopy on it. She knows how much I love Snoopy. Natalie's card was clever and funny, and she told me I'm the "Mommiest". My parents joined us for a wonderful dinner and we ate in our dining room for the first time. Mom and Dad's card was so beautiful, and mom brought along some snacks, salad, potatoes, and a trifle. She even brought the girls some refrigerator pickles. Wait. Isn't it my birthday? Think I'll eat some of those pickles! The girls decorated the cake that Steve baked and sprinkled it with soooooo much love!
I had a perfectly wonderful birthday weekend, but more importantly, I have love. Who do I have to thank for all of that love and all of those gifts?

You guessed it. My Father. God!! Thank you for my many gifts and for my family and friends!