Stayin' Alive at 35!!

Honestly, I was dreading my birthday a bit...I kind of have a hard time with turning big numbers. I can't help but want to be forever around...well, 24. :)

And, I would not normally blog about my own Birthday, but this year's happened to be one that stood out in so many ways that I felt compelled to get it on paper (or computer screen). This is my way of holding onto memories...I'm hoping there's a way to print everything at the year's end...is there? Please tell me there is! :)

After this past week's celebrations, I realized that getting older ain't all that bad. If getting older means being blessed with the family and friends that I have, then bring it on!
We have a new Birthday Tradition: I bought this super cute Piece of Cake decor made out of iron (see pic above). We fill it with love notes the week of the person's b'day...then, on their actual day, they get to open it and read them out loud to everyone. It has been such a HIT! It was fun to get to experience it myself this week.My kiddo's LOVED watching for a b'day package being delivered by UPS...they were too cute! Kids inherently love to celebrate people, don't they?!
Just when you think your b'day, which lands on a Monday, could not be that exciting...three of my dearest, most amazingly wonderful friends surprised me with a Day of Luxury! We began with top of the line pedicures - you know the kind with scrubs, paraffin wax, etc. Ooooh so nice. As we sipped on Starbucks' Lattes, we were pampered with leg massages and toenails transformed into artwork! Even *rhinestones on our Big Toes!!
(This was a HUUUUGE treat for me as I don't typically get my nails done).
Needless to say, I was One BLESSED Birthday Girl! We then continued our Girls Day Out at a "grown up" restaurant (you know the kind with the white table cloths). We had a delicious meal and topped it off with, but of course, decadent desserts...cheesecake & molten chocolate cake. Ummmmmm. It was a day I will never forget. My Friends Rock!!
My most precious Mom threw a Family Birthday Celebration with all my favorites, including grilled Salmon and chocolate cake! There's nothing quite like when your Momma makes your favorite meal for your Birthday. Then, to get to enjoy it surrounded by family, including my Grandma & Mother in Law, was so meaningful.

I was also blessed to get to spend an evening out with my two sisters, Kerri & Kim. Believe it or not, we had never had a Girls Nite Out with just three of us...seriously. I guess with the spread of our ages (7 yrs apart each), and the fact that Kim has always lived out of town, it just hasn't happened. The time had finally come!

Dinner and a RiverWalk concert together was So Fun!

(Can you tell were Sisters?? Who do you think looks the most alike? Can you believe that Kerri, far left, and Kim, middle, are almost 15 years apart in age?!)
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We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. ~Thornton Wilder

I guess you might say that I am stayin' ALIVE at 35...as I have never been so conscious of the treasures in my life. My cup truly runneth over with gratefulness for all that God has given me.