Thirty-Five

There's a whole lotta birthday blogging going on this week, but I have to squeeze one more in. Last Sunday I celebrated my thirty-fifth birthday, and it turned out to be the nicest one yet. (But then, I always think each year gets better.) I was serenaded by most of my family, as Matt was part of a small group singing in the morning church service and Joe and Ellie were in a kids' Christmas program that evening. In between those times, we ate at a pizza place I really like, and I got to open some gifts. Matt and the kids got me a couple movies, The Scarlet Pimpernel and Pirates of the Caribbean 2 (which I was probably a little too excited about...for someone who's 35). They also got me a new Elizabeth George book which I'd really wanted called A Woman's Walk With God. When the Christmas season is done and I'm walking again, instead of running, I'll enjoy that a lot. I think Matt did pretty great considering he has to buy me birthday and Christmas gifts all in the same week. The best thing he did for me was that on Saturday he made me my favorite dessert, which we call Lush. It's a chocolate pudding layer thing, and it's awesome for any meal of the day. Although, now that I think of it, I didn't have it for breakfast at all this week...I really must be getting older.

My favorite birthday moment came on Friday night when I was out to dinner with my extended family. As soon as our food came, Erin needed to go to the bathroom, so I took her. Then as soon as we got back to the table, Ellie needed to go. When we finally got back to the table after that one, everyone else was pretty much done eating, and I hadn't even taken my first bite. The great thing about it, though, was that I didn't feel frustrated or upset. God really gave me some grace to be able to do all things as unto Him, including taking my girls to the potty. Thinking about it, I don't think I could've done that with such a servant's heart even a year ago, so I just got overwhelmed at His faithfulness to teach us year by year and to give us what He commands us to have. With that in mind, I'm ready to move ahead to 36.

Something new I want to try this year is to look for one passage of Scripture to focus on throughout the year, then to be able to testify regarding that passage on my next birthday. I haven't chosen the passage yet, but I'll put it here when I do.

There! Now the normal people birthday blogs are done, and we can start to focus on the biggie coming up on Monday!