Birthday #49

My birthday kinda snuck up on me this year.  Once you get so many under your belt, it seems like there's not a whole lot of point in them....  One bit of excitement... We talked Grandpa Bud and Louise into coming for Thanksgiving and they arrived today.  Picking him up at the airport was a pretty good present to start with!

Best present ever.... I got home from the airport and found this waiting for me!  Best husband ever!

Cupcakes and gummy bears!

The sweetest card ever from Zack!

Glad to have them here with us.

This is 51!

Happy Birthday to my fabulous Hubby.  Today was very low key.  He played a little golf at work, we went out to dinner and opened some cards.  Didn't really have any gifts, lately he's been buying himself whatever he wants... got new golf clubs, new shorts, new golf shirts... all on Ebay.... he "saved us so much money."  But that makes it difficult to buy him birthday presents.  :o(  Of course, when you're 51.. good Lord how can we be that old, it's hard to come up with surprises.  Looking pretty darn good for 51!

Showing off his guns!

Happy Birthday my handsome hubby!

Happy Birthday Extraordinaire!

This birthday was probably the best birthday I've had in a long time!!  On my birthday eve - Debbie brought me muffins so I would have them for breakfast in the morning!  Then, on my birthday morning the door bell rang at 630am and I found WARM Pumpkin chocolate muffins on the doorstep and a balloon on my light.  That Jennie Tatum is so awesome.  My friends really know me!  When I got to work, Team Library had decorated my office with streamers, signs, a tiara and even a gift.  They also had a luncheon in my honor.  Everyone was so kind, wishing me a happy day.  It was almost embarrassing the amount of attention I received.  John brought me cookies and flowers on his way to work.  Then, Brenna came home!  I actually managed to stretch my birthday for the whole weekend.  On Saturday Brenna and I went to see Thor II  - loved it!  Love me some Thor.  Then we gorged on Thai food for dinner - red curry and pad thai!  I ate until I was almost ready to puke!   Then, Sunday the whole family went to see Ender's Game.  Another good movie choice!!  I got some really cool running stuff… a dry fit, sweat wicking beanie, light up arm band to keep me safe when I run at night and then I snuck off to VA runner and ordered a new pair of shoes and bought some running pants!  SCORE!!!

BEST.BIRTHDAY.EVER!

20 Years and the Galapagos

5months at the beach

Today is my sweet baby girl's 20th birthday??!!!  How can it be so.  I know it all sounds so cliche, but I just don't see how it can even remotely be possible that my Brenna can be 20 years old!  She's not a teenager anymore.  All those teenage years when I swore one of us wouldn't make it to the end.  All those times I said I couldn't understand how anyone survived the teenage years - and here we are... not only survived, but successfully.  She's an amazing young woman.  Smart and funny and beautiful and making a name for herself.  She is taking responsibility for herself and her future and she amazes me everyday.  This is the same girl who, during her freshman year, would rather take a zero than ask which  basket her Spanish homework went in!! Now, she's the Wildlife Society's Student Representative for the whole state of Virginia! She's treasurer of her chapter of the Wildlife Society and President-elect for next year.  She's applying for internships and writing her resume... all on her own!  Sometimes I'll think of something I need to remind her to do, I'll text her .... and she's already done it!!

Now, she's celebrating her 20th birthday in the Galapagos Islands.  She's traveling to other countries, in charge of her own money, passport and life.  I'm so thrilled and happy for her.  So proud that I'm not even really sad that she seems to be moving on without me.  She still calls, texts and asks for advice - but taking responsibility for herself.  What more could a parent ask for.  I love my baby girl, and she'll always be my baby girl, the most precious present ever!

45... it's the new 25.. or 35.. oh who am I kidding it feels like the new 65!

Had my birthday yesterday.  45 years old... geez, how does that happen.  John has spent the last couple of days wandering around mumbling, "I can't believe  I'm sleeping with a 45 year old woman" and things like that.  I like to remind him that he's closer to 50 than me.   Geez, 45... that means if I'm lucky enough to live to 90, my life is half over!  Sort of a sobering thought, but I shan't dwell on that.
I had a very nice day.  It was quiet.  I walked the dogs,  I took a nap and generally putzed around.  My In-laws arrived mid-afternoon and we all went out for a nice dinner.  I opened presents when we got home.  I got lots of cool things, snow boots that look like tennis shoes, makeup bag, my favorite candy - among other things.  Even all my girlfriends remembered me.  Tons of people sent me messages on Facebook and that was very fun.  Friends from high school, from all over the country and many local friends.  It's amazing how good it makes you feel when you go on Facebook and there a tons of birthday messages waiting for you.  Just a simple Happy Birthday, can make you feel so treasured.  I guess you should never underestimate the power of letting someone know that you took a minute out of your day to think about them.

I tell the kids every year that all I want for my birthday is a handmade card.  I don't need gifts, I don't need anything special except a handmade card.  Those stinkers didn't let me down.  They both made me cards and they were MUSHY cards!  I almost cried...out loud...I definitely got teary-eyed.
All in all, a great day and I am very thankful for my family and friends who made me feel very valued and appreciated!  Getting old is not so bad when you have friends and family around you.

On a complete side note....

This is what happens when you can no longer out last your children and  you go to bed leaving them up and giggling together....  It's curling irons gone wild!