My Birthday Blessings

Birthdays are precarious things, particularly if they are laden with expectations. I am surrounded by people who love me and show it. Even so, I found all the "Have a fabulous day!" comments reinforced my perception that it felt a little less than fabulous. Which is totally ridiculous, because it was full of blessings. So, I'm going to count some of them here, for my own mental health. I may be leaving out a few potholes, but that is rather the point...

When I got up, the house was quiet (1), so I woke the boys and started preparing breakfast. Then Josh -- who I assumed to be on his way to work -- walked back in the door (2) with a cafe mocha (3) and scones (4). Good man. (5) The point is not that the barista forgot the mocha pumps, the point is that he went and got me a treat!

After I scuttled the boys off to school (6, 7) and stopped back at Starbucks for an exchange (which they did for free 8), I left Isaac with an awesome babysitter (9) and went to a committee meeting of women I enjoy and respect (10). They even provided scones in honor of my birthday (Yes, that was scone #2. Score. 11).

Then, I had the rare chance to visit Trader Joe's (12). Alone (13). It's my favorite grocery store anyway, and it looks like pumpkin exploded all over every item they sell. Yum.

I got home to find a gift from a dear friend (14) and read a card from my Bible study small group (15). Serious warm fuzzies doing battle with my pms hormones. (Did I just say that?)

Then, there was Meal Swap delivered to my door (16). Really, enough said right there. I'm not makin' dinner.

A couple weeks ago, I told my boys to ask me what I wanted for my birthday (I've learned about subtlety with males, and not under any circumstance to ever use it). Then I told them I wanted them to learn Psalm 139:1-10 for my birthday. Ever since I found out that Jewish boys 2,000 years ago memorized The Torah, and Noah came home from preschool knowing The Lord's Prayer, I've upped the ante on our Scripture memory. We worked on it a little over dinner most nights, and by Oct 2nd, they were able to mostly pull it off (17, 18). And were adorable to boot (19, 20).

7. After dinner, Josh got home (21) in time to put the boys to bed (22) and free me to run off to a Girls' Night Out (23) at a neighbor's...

I think I ought to stop right there. If I talk about how I got to pick when to have lunch out with my Mom (23) and a date night with Josh (24)...how it was my choice that they both occurred the next day and were fabulous the next day, I'll sound like a total idiot.

See, counting your blessings works! It makes you feel like a spoiled brat instead of a loser...

Happy birthday to me. ;)