Happy Birthday to ME!

I love birthdays...if you have read this blog for more than a year, you will know that, because at the turn of August each year I declare it's birthday month! I begin to accept gifts, money, cards, emails, love and adoration on the first of August and despite the fact my birthday is today, the 24th, I will accept all of those things and more till the 31st. :) I used to circle and highlight things I wanted to receive for my birthday in all of the sale papers, but I have given that up...although I taught my child to do it, so it's not all lost on me getting older. :)
I enjoy birthdays for several reasons...I am an only child, so every day was "about me" so to speak, not in the actual literal sense, but in the sense that I didn't have to share every other day with anyone else, but birthdays were just extra special. I had 2 major birthday parties in my childhood...my 8th birthday and my 16th birthday. My 21st birthday was celebrated by a huge amount of friends at my one my favorite restaurants, Provino's, and since then I haven't really had a party. Sad, huh? I was hoping for a huge party last year for my 30th, but that didn't happen, but none the less, it's not really about the party so much...although I would love one again! :)
It's more about reflection these days...taking the time to look back and see all that has happened in the last year, all that God has done for me, and all the things He blew my mind with. This time last year was crazy crazy. I changed jobs to work at our church preschool - 4 days of 2 year olds, God help me - and my son was still in the midst of potty training at 3 1/4 years old. To top all that, we wanted another child. God's hand was all over it (duh!) and just months after we found out we were indeed pregnant. In the same month, we purchased a house and through the holidays remodeled it, then moved into it in January of this past year. Spring approached, my belly got bigger, and we ventured to the beach on vacation. As school ended, I spent my time playing and sleeping - both necessities - finished up teaching 2-year old choir and delivered Peanut last month.
God has been most gracious during this time...working through our finances; the love and support of people from our church and our neighborhood; giving me strength to endure sleepless nights and focus on what in hindsight is most important...loving Him.

Lord, thank you for the last year and the days, months and years to come...you have blessed me so much and there really aren't words to express my gratitude. You have been faithful when I haven't. You have been merciful and gracefilled when I didn't deserve it and you have given us life...life IN you, new life in Peanut, and life eternally WITH you. Thank you Lord...how could I ask for more?