Feeling a bit old today

Me, age 2. 

Today is my birthday! I have been reflecting on a few of my favorite past birthdays... :)

My friends, Nicki and Anna and an assortment of sweet babies!

5 years ago today I had the best SURPRISE birthday gift ever. My dear friend Anna, who lives WAY too far away, conspired with my friend Nicki and my hubby. Secretly she flew out here from PA and showed up at MOPS that morning. I cried! I had NO idea at all what they were up to. She brought her daughter, one of my first doula babies... and we spent nearly a week scrapbooking, eating out, staying up too late, and organizing. :) Anna has flown in to my life at so many perfect moments, she is a true gift from above.

Then there was the 25th birthday I spent alone with the kids here in Nebraska, while Ben was working in Florida. We were living in Florida then, but I'd flown back here to help my dear Grandma Lydia out, as she had broken her hip. I remember it was right after my pregnancy loss. Ben was such a sweetie and sent me flowers! We celebrated with candles in Little Debbie cakes. :)

On my 20th birthday I remember, Ben and I were still dating then. He picked me up from my office and took me out to lunch. While we were there eating out lunch, a man with a big scruffy beard started walking toward me, scared me to death... until I realized it was my dad! (In my defense, he'd grown a beard since I'd seen him last!) My folks had flown out from PA to visit me here in Nebraska. I was totally surprised! I had broken my ankle 6 weeks before, and they had been hoping to come see me while I was recovering. That week my mom went with me to get my cast off. Then we did a little wedding planning. :) Such fun memories.

How funny to think how many of my birthdays center around broken limbs... I actually had a broken arm on my 17th birthday too. lol!

I've been so blessed to have birthdays to count, and loved ones to share them with. I'm so thankful. God has been so faithful! Thanks for following me on a ramble today. :)

Ecclesiastes. 11:5-8a 

"As you do not know the path of the wind,

    or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb,

so you cannot understand the work of God,

    the Maker of all things.

Sow your seed in the morning,

    and at evening let your hands not be idle,

for you do not know which will succeed,

    whether this or that,

    or whether both will do equally well.

Light is sweet,

    and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.

However many years anyone may live,

    let them enjoy them all."