My birthday.

My birthday was a great day. I had a lot of fun spending time with my family and keeping our agenda to a minimum so that we could enjoy the slow nature of the day. Looking back, I am extra grateful for how we spent this day now especially since I now know that it was the last day we got to all be together before the illness struck and our plan for the week and holiday went out the window and my sisters eventually went back home. 

I was so looking forward to my sisters' visit, and while I know they came for Thanksgiving, it just felt like the sweetest bonus that they also got to be here for my mom's and my birthday. It was just what my heart needed this year, and it felt like the best gift to get to have that.

I started the day reading and praying before anyone woke. I prayed specifically that I would see God’s hand and nearness all around me the entire day, then I opened the blinds and saw the sunrise sky and I gasped. It was the most beautiful shade of purple I’ve ever seen. I walked out on the balcony and stood there in awe. He answered my prayer so quickly! 

 

I went to the gym where they programmed a special birthday workout for me (per Lee's request). The workout made me teary when I first saw it because it was all single arm dumbbell work and that is all I can do while my arm heals. I love going to the gym, I love being apart of a class, I love crossfit! But it can feel a bit lonely when you can't do what everyone else is doing and you have to modify or change what was written based on a limitation. It's familiar territory with pregnancy and postpartum, and one I don't always love. So when I read the workout and saw that everyone would be using one dumbbell too I was so touched and excited! 

And as a bonus, my sister joined class and worked out beside me! That was the best. 

We have been working on a squat cycle, and this was the first day I could do it again. I got the green light to lift heavy when squatting from the rack, so I was PUMPED to load up my barbell. I took it a bit easy since it was my first time, but my arm held up great and I can't wait to do this again and go heavier. 

My best girl and gym buddy. 

The workout was written to alternate between arms with the single dumbbell, but I couldn't do that quite yet so I did the entire workout with just my right arm and it was NO JOKE. My right tricep was sore for a lot of days after, but I was determined to use that 35# dumbbell as close to what was written as possible. 

My mom and Lee coordinated what we'd eat and who would make what. I had no idea what it would look like and was kind of thrilled about that. I had a really hard time thinking through birthday details, and I was so glad Lee picked up on that and made decisions for me. I really love when I don't have to make a decision, in general. My one request that I knew I wanted was the type of birthday cake I wanted to eat. I look forward to it all year! My mom and Jamya made it this morning and sent me this.

After the gym, I treated the boys to donuts and grabbed myself a birthday treat (a chai latte and pumpkin chocolate chip muffin). Once we got home, I did some tidying up, showered, facetimed my sister, and answered some texts. Then my friend Krista stopped over to say happy birthday and we got to chat for a bit (which was such a good conversation!) before H and the kids came over. I made us lunch then we went for a walk so I could get my steps in. Other than needing to get laundry done, the only thing I really wanted to do on my birthday was to get my walk in. It is quickly becoming my new favorite part of each day. 

This picture makes me laugh because this was my attempt to get out of the way for H to take a picture. Haha, I look like an awkward creeper. 

After our walk, I put Olive down for a rest and the big kids watched a movie together. I got to FaceTime Amy and chat with H in my room. 

Lee got home from work, then my parents and Sarah came over for dinner, cake, and gifts. My mom made the dinner (a butternut squash GF pasta dish with goat cheese) and brought it over warm. That blessed me in so many ways- the healthy meal, the new recipe to try, the no clean up, the timing so we didn't eat too late, the time she took out of her work day to serve me and Lee, all of it! She is constantly one upping her own self in how well she loves on people, she's such a great example and role model. She's a gift that I am beyond grateful for. 

Once she arrived, Lee insisted that we take this picture, which I also loved. Lee is so good at building people up in the most subtle of ways. He knew my mom worked hard to make this meal and how she can sometimes second guess herself (and worry that since it was a new recipe that I may not like it and she wouldn't want me to not like my birthday dinner) and the way he praised her and set this picture up, touched my heart. He loves me and others SO well and is constantly teaching me how to love and subtly building up others like he does. God gave me the best when He hand picked Lee for me. 

After dinner, we took some pictures together. Again, looking back, I am SO glad we took these since they would end up being the only pictures I really got with my family this week. 

This series of photos make me laugh because Olive was being a little feisty. This is when she realized how close Jack was to her. 

And she started to push his head. 

Then she kicked him. 

And then we stopped trying to get a family photo. Thankfully, the first few were good enough. 

Olive is a little feisty, but a whole lot of sweet! 

If the photo wall photographer snaps a selfie, it will definitely be posted on this blog for my future self and 3 followers to see. 

Poor Jamya was really not feeling well, it seemingly snuck up on her as the day went on. This photo makes my eyes teary because you can see how she doesn't feel good, but it's the only one I got with them this week and I treasure it nonetheless. 

My dad WILLINGLY came to take a picture with me and smiled so nicely!!! He's the best. 

Luca was very snuggly with Auntie and was so sad when she left. It was almost like he knew he wouldn't see her again this trip. 

The boys (Luca especially) are super into making posters right now. So for my birthday, I asked if they'd think about what I liked and make me a poster. This is what they made. I LOVED them. Luca made the bottom two and Jack made the one on the top left. Olive made one too! She is super into coloring right now and I can only imagine that she loved working alongside her brothers on this secret project. 

Lee always picks the best cards. 

My mom had taken the boys to the Dollar Store with her the weekend before my birthday, and they each picked a card for me. I love what Jack wrote in his! And his drawing is a church and baby Jesus. 

Luca picked his card because it had peonies on the front, which he knows are my favorite. And I loved the thought behind that so much. 

After we took pictures, I opened presents. 

I was expecting the wrapped gift in the kids bag to me to be a Dollar Store find that they thought I would like but instead it turned out to be a watch I had been eyeing. I was SHOCKED. Clearly, my face says it all. 

Mid gifts, Olive decided to do some burpees. In her sparkly shoes, my girl! Loves her accessories and crossfit, just like her momma. 

After gifts, it was cake time! My favorite. 

This series makes me laugh too because behind the camera Lee lit some more sparklers for Isaac and the kids are clearly more interested in watching that than smile for a photo (who can blame them?!).

Lee realized and moved the sparklers to above the camera, which was so kind and thoughtful, but still didn't make for the best picture. 

After cake, we sat in a circle and I got to hear why everyone loved me and it just made me feel so special. The day ended and I felt like God continued to answer my prayer all day long, each moment was so full of His hand and presence and nearness and I went to sleep overflowing with gratitude for Him and how much He tangibly loves me. And for the people He so lovingly has placed in my life that help me feel His love in tangible ways too. 38 is going to be a great year. Thank you Lord!