Thirty-Four!

Today I turned 34.  I can't complain, I'm feeling great and I am blessed with a loving family and amazing friends.  Thankfully my birthday fell on the day after Labor Day and I was lucky enough to have a 4 day weekend.  So, it was a weekend of celebration.  Chris wondered if it would go on all week long.  Why not?  Is there a problem w/ this? 

Here are my favorite memories from my lengthy birthday celebrations:

• Friday, my day off, after I went to the dentist for a filling, I just hung out on the couch all day watching movies.  I did nothing. 
• Friday night I got an impromptu call from a neighbor to come drink martinis.  I couldn't resist and went in my PJs to taste a sour apple, metropolitan, raspberry, and many more martinis.  It was good to catch up w/ some of my friends/neighbors too. 
• Saturday's visit with Uncle CC, Drew, and Amanda.  We enjoyed a nice cookout and the kids played outside for so long.  Amanda gave me a beautiful card and amazing earrings. 
• Sunday we played and hiked at Three Lakes Park.  Later, we went to fun cookout in the neighborhood with more friends.  Chris enjoyed picking crabs with the guys.  The kids loved the moonbounce.  We all left with no head injuries!  Score!
• Monday (Labor Day) we went to the pool for the last time for the summer of 2010.  Boo hoo!  We had a good time and I think we all go too much sun.
• Meg and I went to enjoy Panera and pedicures to celebrate our b'day.
• Chris, the kids, and I then walked to Chili's and Coldstone Creamery for dinner and dessert.  Ruby pushed her little pink stroller the majority of the way.  It was a test of patience and I think I may have made a B+.  She loved pushing her stroller along with her pink cell phone and half-eaten apple in the little pink seat. 
• Tuesday morning was the big day!  I begged the children not to cry and "to help" since it was my birthday.  They did great!  Ruby even sang "Zipidee-Doo-Da"  which was so sweet.  Ian started with a new teacher since he is now considered Pre-K.  I really like the teacher.  She said, "I've heard that Ian is smart."  I agreed.  I then I said, "But he's very social, and that's good and bad."  She agreed and said she'd keep him busy and challenged.  Works for me!
• My coworkers had a surprise breakfast in my honor.  Pretty impressive after a long holiday weekend.
• My boss, Kiki, sang "Happy Birthday" to me over the phone with no oxygen shooshing in the background. Her voice sounded so strong.  What a blessing!  She hopes to get back to work soon.  A true miracle. 
• I had so many wonderful birthday wishes from friends and family!  I lost count of the well wishes through Facebook.  So neat to hear from so many people who have been part of my 34 years. 
• We had fun at Chick-fil-a for dinner.  We chose this b/c kids eat free on Tues. nights.  Chris and the kids then snuck away to buy my "gift".  They brought home yummy cupcakes from Coldstone Creamery.  We decided to eat them on Wed. night since the kids had just had ice cream.  And I'd already had way too many indulgences in one day. 
• Chris had bought me a beautiful bouquet of flowers and Ian had made me a card.  So sweet! 
• We had a great phone call with Mom Mom and wished her a happy birthday too!  I share my special day with 2 amazing ladies!
• Meg and I then went out to Chili's for a beer with a couple of neighbors.  It was fun! 
• AND the BIG ONE that I almost forgot, it has been 1 year today since my last Transverse Myelitis spasm!  That is definitely something to celebrate!

It was a wonderful celebration of being 34.  Living, laughing, and loving! 

I'm glad to finally be blogging again.  I took the month of August off.  I may be doing some back dating on some great events in August.  We had such a wonderful whirlwind tour of the mountains that I definitely want to blog about!