I promised 40th birthday pictures, but yesterday was a crazy busy day with meetings, homeschool, orders and two football games (both boys’ teams won, by the way!). I had such a nice birthday which included wonderful family and friends, all of whom made me feel so loved and appreciated. The flowers on the left above came from one of my oldest son’s friends, Kirstin, who tracked us down at a local restaurant at dinner to give them to me, along with the sweetest handmade card. The ones on the right came from my momma who is far away in Florida. They remind me so much of her–it was like having a little bit of her here to celebrate with me.
On Saturday, a few days before my birthday, my friends, Maray and Michelle, took me out thrift shopping and then we had a lovely Mexican lunch. Here we are with our three boys who are just a few months apart:
On Sunday evening, the lifegroup that we’ve been a part of for many years came to our house for our regular Bible study, dinner and cake. Someone apparently thought it would be amusing to have everyone dress in black. (I think I got the last laugh, though, because most of them are older than me . . . and they always will be!)
On Wednesday, my actual birthday, I got my four youngest kids up early, and we went to IHOP for breakfast. We had chess club in the afternoon, but we went out for ice cream at Braums after. That evening, my whole family gathered together to celebrate with another Mexican dinner at one of our favorite local restaurants, Angelina’s.
I received some wonderful gifts including this pile of handmade pillowcases to donate to ConKerr Cancer! Aren’t they sweet? (And you thought I was done with pillowcases, didn’t you? I am now . . . for at least a little while!)
The whole day was full of phone calls and visits and wonderful memories. I have to share one of my favorite moments, though. A friend called and her 5-year-old and 3-year-old sang Happy Birthday to me. When they finished, her 5-year-old daughter asked to pray with me, “Dear God, please let Auntie Bonnie have fun today–Andrew, stop that!–God, please let Auntie Bonnie have fun today and let this year be a good one for her.” I love it–the memory is bringing a huge smile to my face even as I’m typing. Thank you, God, for filling the last 40 years with joy, sadness, foolishness, wisdom, blessing, mourning, friendship, solitude and so much love.
Thank you, my friends and family, for joining in my celebration. I’m so excited to see what the next 40 years bring!
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