Birthdays and Chocolate Cake

So I celebrated my birthday this week.  I'm not sure if how my day went would be considered as celebrating, but my birthday came and went regardless.  The morning actually started out fantastic!  I woke up early--not on purpose, I just woke up and couldn't go back to sleep. So I got out before the heat and went for a run.  It was awesome.  The day was so beautiful and it just made you feel good to be outside.  Then I had time for one of my favorite pass-times--yoga.  I haven't had a lot of time to do much of that lately so it made me really happy.

Here I am in all my 36 year old glory!  Kelly took this picture at the end of a very long day.  Looking at this picture confirms that I seriously need a haircut! (And maybe a few more naps).

Kelly worked together with the other kids to take some fun pictures and put together a great power point presentation for me.  That was one of the highlights of my day.  I'll have to see if it's possible to embed or attach it to a post.  If not, let me know if you're interested and I'll e-mail it to you.  She did a great job and I am so proud of her for putting it all together.  Justin bought me a peppermint plant so that I can try and make my own mint water.  If you like peppermint, or any other kind of mint I recommend trying it.  They have it at most grocery stores, although it's on the pricey side.  It tastes so good though!  I love it!  I'm excited to try and make my own.  Another gift everyone gave me was the "Newsies" DVD and soundtrack.  It's one of my favorites.  I'm a sucker for great music and choreography.  Not only that I get a kick out of seeing a teenage Christian Bale singing and dancing.  Even now it makes me laugh.

Most of my day was spent running errands, trying to get Kelly ready for girls camp.  That part of my day was not so fun.  Kelly needed some new shoes for their 5 mile hike so I had all the kids with me at the shoe store.  Kenzie loved walking around in the high heels on display.  I'm sure everyone was glad when we finally left.  But get this, I bought Kelly size 11 tennis shoes!  She won't be 13 for a couple of months, so my 12 year old daughter wears size 11 tennis shoes!  Wow!  She is definitely going to be tall.

After surviving the craziness of Kenzie in the shoe store I decided not to take her with me on any other errands that day.  Kate had a doctor's appointment to get her 2nd cast removed.  Thankfully her x-rays looked fabulous!  She still has to wear her sling this week if we're out and about, but I'm truly hoping and praying that when we go back for one more follow up in 3 weeks everything still looks great. 

After her appointment I had to run to Wal Mart--I mean where else can you get camping equipment and groceries?  It's definitely not my favorite store, but sometimes it's just the best option.  Well, after a 2 hour long trip I felt like I needed a vacation!  And I only had Kate with me--I know! However, if you've not had the experience of shopping with Kate you should try it at least once.  Sometimes it makes me feel like I should start praying for her future spouse now!  Whew!  Don't get me wrong she is a fun, bright, and energetic little girl.  She just likes everything she sees and it can be very tiring.

Thankfully we went out to dinner.  That was my other favorite thing about the day.  Dinner out with all of the kids is never easy, but really we all had a great time and I was so happy not to have to cook or clean up!

Justin, the wonderful guy that he is, made me our favorite flourless chocolate cake for dessert.  This was a big deal because he had a lot to do that night to get ready for an upcoming business trip and he had never made this cake before.  I really appreciate that sweetheart!  Thank you!

Well, as you can see from Kenzie licking her plate after her second piece, the cake tasted amazing!  He even made fresh whipped cream and made a special trip to the store for raspberries.  It was so good!  (And just between you and me I had a huge piece after lunch today and I didn't give any to the kids).

At first the thought of this birthday and my age made me feel so depressed.  I still have a hard time looking at that picture of myself.  However, when I stop to think about all of my blessings and the opportunities that are there for the taking.  I am encouraged and feel better about where I am in my life right now.  I am grateful for my Husband who loves me and tells my I look amazing every day.  I am so blessed and grateful to be a mother.

I am loved and that's the best gift.