Happy Birthday to Me!

Birthdays are weird. "Oh my gosh, you were born? Way to go!" 

Just kidding.

But seriously, we spend a whole day celebrating ourselves and everyone else does to. 

Honestly, I LOVE IT. I love my birthday, I love my loved ones' birthdays, I love making people feel special, and, of course, I love feeling special.  

But I didn't do anything special. I was born. Thanks to God, and this pretty lady. 

I'm not going to stop doing whatever I can to make my peoples' birthdays special, but I think it is just as important to celebrate and thank God for the gift that their life is.  

And on our birthdays, to celebrate the God that created and sustains our life. 

Michael's prayer at dinner reminded me of this.  

Of course, we can't forget the other people that made us.  Happy silver anniversary mom and dad!!

Birthday part one initiated when my mom came to Columbia on Saturday, and you know what that means, SHOPPING!!!

There is nothing better than shopping with mom, besides the obvious perks... like being completely spoiled... I love spending all day with her. 

Check out my new mascara by Make Up Forever! 

We all took Boone to the dog park so Mom could see him be a scaredy dog. It was beautiful afternoon.

We went to dinner at Bleu. Afterwards we watched Captain Phillips. I fell asleep. Who does that?! 

Birthday part two began when Boone walked over the top of me to get to Michael who was trying to give me a present.

My husband is always trying to give me the moon.  I have no doubt he would if he could. 

I'm not sure what has convinced this man that I am worthy, cause I know and the Lord knows, I am not. 

He always go above and beyond... and yet he feels like he never does enough. 

So I share this with you because he is amazing and I want him to know it.  

I would have never asked for a Kindle. I asked for a pair of running capris after running in Weaubleau and getting taken to the pavement by a Rotweiller.

He got me those, and a matching shirt, and something too extravagant I never even thought to ask for it. He blesses me. (Thank you, husband, I truly do love it and appreciate you!)

Since grandma passed away I have lost all mental strength when running.  In running, mental strength is just as important as physical strength and endurance.  Dana and I are training for a half in April. 

My runs haven't been going well. 

I want to stop a lot. I have no endurance. My legs and body feel heavy. I loose my breath quickly if I start to get emotional. I pray a lot when I'm running. When praying for my mom or healing I would easily lose my breath.  Then I would stop and feel guilty for quitting, for holding Dana back. 

This past week I ran alone. Focusing only on not stopping. 

It was so hard. 

After two miles I found myself wanting to stop. I didn't. I talked and talked myself out of it.  I prayed. 

I was really scared of the 10 miler I had coming this weekend.  So much so that I put it off until Monday, even though I now have to squeeze all my runs together for this week. 

I did it. Slowly but surely. With no stopping, a lot of prayers, an encouraging birthday text from Dana, and a few rounds of singing "Happy Birthday" to myself.  Most importantly, I enjoyed it. Thank you, God.

I was disgusting and covered in salt, but Michael met me for recovery, birthday smoothies! 

(I look certifiable in this picture, but my husband looks absolutely, down right dreamy!!)

Seriously, look at that hunk?!

For my birthday, Boone destroyed my favorite bra. As Michael pointed out, he always goes for the stuffing.... (ouch)

So Dana and I went bra shopping. (Thanks, Dad!) 

I got one without "stuffing" in hopes of it's survival.  Let's be real, I don't have a large chest. 

And that's okay with me!

Then Dana and I got pedicures! Happy March Birthdays to Us!

Jacie, a classmate, got a cool cookie cake last week and I secretly really wanted one.
My other half must be so in tune with me that she knew. :) She got me the best cookie cake ever!!

I treasure her, and not just for the cookie cake. I can't thank God enough for her presence in my life.

Michael and I went to dinner at my favorite restaurant, Babbo's Spaghetteria.

A while back Dana and I visited Michael at work and he asked what was for dinner. I said spaghetti and out of no where, "Let's lady and tramp this b****." 

I love Jesus. Sometimes I cuss. This was oddly one of those times.

Lady and tramping that b*****.

A nearby old lady offered to take our picture and called us adorable. HA.

We returned home to a delicious birthday cake made by Michael.

I wanted to play games. We played chess and Yahtzee. After losing both ON MY BIRTHDAY and acting like a 5-year-old, game night was over.

I keep all my cards. Thinking I would have to dig for the one I wanted I sat down on the floor and opened the lid of my card box, but the first one I saw read, "Happy Birthday Granddaughter."

I'll always be her "silly goose".

What a great day.

Thank you, God.