(Disclaimer: Sorry, no Knitting Content Today! Well okay, very little!)
I had a wonderful birthday today! At first I thought it was going to be horrible becauseit started out with a back spasm. Stupid me, sleeping on two pillows. Oh They're just so comfy! Anyhow the birthday gods must have been smiling on me b/c the spasm only lasted 15 minutes. That's never happened before. Someone was definently smiling down on me. Thank you grandma!
I was awoken this morning by a happy birthday from my mom bringing me a bagel and a Diet Pepsi. Diet Pepsi?! Oh yes, it's my morning coffee. I gotta have my Diet Pepsi in the morning. And yes, I have THE BEST momma in the world. I couldn't ask for more.
Once my back was better I decided to check my email before getting ready for my physical therapy appointment. I was so surprised to have received happy birthday e-cards and happy birthday emails and comments on my blog. Thank you to everyone who thought of me today! You all put so many smiles on my face. The support I receive from all of you is so wonderful. I can't thank you enough.
As I was getting ready for my appointment the doorbell rang. My little cousin Michaela came up the stairs with a card in her hand that looked like it belonged with flowers.
My hometown friend Lisa sent me the most beautiful flowers and a touching note. Lisa and I went to high school together and lived together for 2.5 years during college. We have lost touch in the past year or so but she never fails to be there when I really need her. Today was no exception.
These flowers were such a surprise and they warmed my heart. I don't know if she'll read this but Thank You Lisa for brightening my world. You're a wonderful friend. The flowers are so beautiful. They look so beautiful in my room. They definitely cheer up the place!
Also I must congratulate Lisa as she is getting married in August. Congrats Lisa and Eric! They make each other so happy. I look forward to the wedding shower in two weeks and the wedding in August. It's going to be a wonderful celebration. There's nothing better than seeing two people who are truly happy together. I really couldn't be happier for them.
After physical therapy I came home to another surprise. Janette, one of my Preemie Project volunteers, sent me these goodies:
Thank you Janette! You're very sweet to think of me. Janette sent me things to spend a day outside with the kitties. Everything will come in handy. As you can see I already ate most of the Skittles. How did you know about my sweet tooth? I love everything! Thank you!
Janette has taken on the task of helping me create a Michigan chapter of The Preemie Project. She is going to collect donations, help recruit volunteers in her area, and help with some other administrative things. Janette you deserve a BIG pat on the back for taking on this task. I know that your hard work will be so appreciated by the preemies and their families. The work has only just begun! We have 41 total volunteers and counting. I look forward to our very first donation!
Then I spent the afternoon at the mall with my family. I went to the Gap and purchased a cute black dress for Lisa's wedding. For some reason while I was in the store I couldn't think of anything that I could wear with the dress over my shoulders. My smart momma suggested that the Tartelette Shawl I'm working on would look good. Duh Laura! Thank goodness for moms. I almost bought a white cardigan to go over it that I didn't need.
So, now I'm so excited because I have somewhere to wear my shawl once it's finished. I should be showing a finished Shawl pic in the next couple of days. I'm almost done with the second skein.
After the mall we came home and the girls decorated the kitchen for my "surprise" party. From upstairs it sounded like they had a good time. When they finished I came down for pizza and cake.
The girls had decorated my "throne" with balloons and streamers.
Here's my pretty cake. My 3 year old cousin Marin and my Aunt Heather baked it. Thank you Heather! Marin choose strawberry cake with vanilla and strawberry icing. Sound icky? I thought it would be but it turned out to be pretty tasty. Never thought that I would eat a strawberry flavored cake. I guess the 3 year old has broadened my horizons.
Here's me and the girls with my cake! My identity is revealed! Don't my little cousins look cute? They love to pose for pictures. You'd never tell would you?
They gave me a ribbon to wear that said "Birthday Girl" and a crown that said "Princess." Hey, I'm not denying it! That's what my dad calls me.
Then the girls played Pin the Tail on the Donkey. This is the youngest, Molly. I thought this picture was really cute and had to share it!
Here's Michaela being her naturally pretty self.
Here's Marin with her BIG grin! She was having a good time.
Then the girls went ouside to swim until bedtime. This is Marin, the daredevil, diving into the pool. Don't worry, she landed in it! Marin was diving/doing belly flops into the pool all evening long.
We had a really fun visit. We're supposed to have a family gathering by a lake in Missouri this July. I'm crossing my fingers that I'll be able to travel. I really want to see the rest of my mom's family. It'll especially be fun to see these little ones again.
They're going back to Kansas tomorrow morning. We had a really great visit. The best part was that Molly Grace, the youngest, was no longer afraid of our dog. She was so afraid of her and everyone else the past two visits. This time she was her cute little self and I finally got to meet the real Molly Grace. I'll leave you with what it think is the best picture of the weekend. I'm definitely going to frame this one.
Me and my sweetie pie!
I love you Molly Grace, Michaela and Marin! See you girls soon!