36

A few weeks ago I turned 36. It’s quite odd to be rolling towards the big 4-0. Quite odd, indeed.

I was positive that this was going to be a downer birthday because Tom had to be out of town. I was quite dreading the entire thing. I was pleasantly surprised when it ended up being one of the best birthdays ever.

Tom had a “day-before-my- birthday party” for me since he had to fly out of town. I unwrapped a few gifts and he then told me I had an appointment in the morning for a massage! He topped it off with Creme Brulee that he ordered from my favorite restaurant. It was such a happy night.

The next morning, sweet Courtney had arranged to take the kids ALL DAY…so I could have a day of relaxation and rejuvenation. She ain’t called “Sweet Courtney” for nothin.

I realized I hadn’t checked the mail the day before – so I went out and found my “new” friend Louise had mailed me a beautiful necklace…all the way from KC. It was such a sweet surprise and a great way to start the day!

My mother in law also sent me a package that contained 12 of these… a woman who knows my heart!!

It had been arranged for the cleaning ladies to come on my birthday. They brought me these birthday flowers, too!

 

It was BEAUTIFUL ….being massaged…while knowing that my toilets were being scrubbed, my floors were being mopped, and my children were being kept alive...simultaneously.  THAT is what I call a gift.

My brother John met me at the spa and we headed out to the lake to look at some property. We stopped for lunch at a deliciously greasy hole in the wall…and enjoyed one of their giant ice cream cones…to top it off. I was reminded how much I love spending time with him….minus him constantly threatening to vomit from the windy roads. I am always guaranteed to laugh when I am with him…good times with my little brotha.

I came home and took a nap. Another gift. :)

When I awoke, my friend, Marie, brought me these….

   

and these…

My friend, Sherry, brought me these…

My friend, Amy, brought me this…

Later that night, the kids had a sitter and I went out with some of my favorite ladies. We went out to dinner…endured a creepy waiter with OCD…. and then went to see Robin Hood.

It was great to see Russell Crowe. I ALMOST forgot what a jerk he is in “real life”.

My ma and pa gave me this…

 

My friend, Anne, gave me this…which was ironic because I had been thinking of how I wanted to study the lives of the women in the Old Testament on a deeper level. Timely!

 

My friend, Stefanie, brought me a wonderful pedicure kit!

And on TOP of taking my kids all day…my friend, Courtney, gave me this…

and this…

 

and she MADE me this…

After the girls night out…my babies sang Happy Birthday to me…

And I made a wish.

The kids were tucked in bed and I spent the evening reading sweet facebook birthday messages with Courtney. She had arranged to spend the night for a good old fashioned slumber party. It was complete with laughing until all hours of the morning.

The next day, my wish came true and Tommy T came home safely to me.

Another box showed up…and he had ordered me…

 

A new set of PING G15 irons….and a new glove…and balls :) I have never had my own set of lady clubs. I have always used his old Pings…man clubs. It is exciting that we have reached a point where I will be able to play more often and spend that time with Tommy T out on the golf course again. I have missed those days. It’s also great that the kids have started playing, as well. I hope it’s something we can share with them into our retirement years.

This birthday wasn’t one of my best ever because of any gifts I received…it was wonderful because of the amount of love I felt from my family and dear friends. I love that Tom found a way to still make it special for me even though he had to be away. It was a great day…and I have since decided that 36 rocks.  Bring it.