Happy Birthday to Me!

Yesterday was my 34th(sh!) birthday. So far I have celebrated for two days, and I plan to keep on celebrating as long as everyone allows me to. I am in a much better place than I was for my 33rd. It has taken me a while to gain some perspective, but recent events have opened my eyes wider. Friday night Tom, Grace and I went to Longhorn for some yummy steak and salad and then to Bruester's Ice Cream for some birthday treats. Then on Saturday Tom and Grace let me sleep in some before giving me great presents. The best one being all the hugs and kisses. Then I went to the Chiropractor for some back and neck relief(didn't really work). When I got home I had to help Tom pack for his trip. He probably has the distinction of being the only one there, with shovels, pails, floats for the ocean or pool and a Disney princess bicycle, a minivan and no family. Since he is meeting us in Florida later this week, he is the pack mule bringing some fun stuff for Grace.
Last night our good friends and neighbors took Grace and I out to eat at O'Charley's. It is one of my favorites, with potato soup and lots to choose from off the menu. Grace, Joshua and Caleb all had a great time playing, eating and celebrating. Luckily for me the waiters no longer sing happy birthday, they just give you free dessert. Ms. Lara was very disappointed not to get me embarrassed with the singing, but I did share my dessert. They also gave me a great bracelet, a Pandora bracelet. It has charms with Grace's birth month and an angel for Brendan. When pumpkin comes we can get her birthstone for her. I felt very special. They are such good friends and I don't think they realize how much they mean to us and have positively influenced our lives.
As for today, I need to clean, do laundry and pack. I think that Grace and I are going to celebrate with Grandma and Papa Edwards sometime today. I am also hoping to get a nap. Pumpkin and Grace both made last night's sleeping interesting and less. I don't see how Grace can only go on 9 hours sleep with a 2 am party and still be up before 7:00. "Rise and Shine Mommy, it's day time." On Tuesday we will celebrate my birthday one more time with Grace's first plane ride and cake with Grandma and Papa Campbell. Party all week!
As for my new perspective, I still miss all the things that Brendan meant. Grace talks constantly about how God and Jesus are taking care of him. I also know he is looking out for us as our own personal angel. I met a lady this week somewhere around my age that has a 9 year old and a five year old that suffered a stroke this spring. She was such an inspiration. She says she misses driving to the grocery store and other mundane things, but is so grateful to be walking and talking she can do without the rest. She was a definite eye opener for me. The other incident that is giving me perspective is a house that burned in our neighborhood with the storms this month. It is obvious from the outside that this family lost most if not all of their worldly possessions. The house is just a shell, I am sure insurance and other issues are keeping the family from rebuilding. I haven't met the family, but I know that they survived via gossip at the pool. I have spent time praying for them, as I know many people did for my family last year.
So I am not sure what it all means, I may never, but I am more grateful everyday for the blessings God has given us. Each day is a miracle, and even though I am tired, and not feeling 100%, I am trying to be grateful for each day. So happy birthday to me! Excuse me now I am off to play, four year old things, the cleaning can wait for another time.