Normally, I don't like birthdays. I like other people's birthdays, just not my own. I'm not really sure why. I guess it's just that you think the day should be something special and then when you realize that it is just a day like any other day, it brings you down a bit. Over the years I have actually somewhat dreaded the day. But this year was different.
I am not sure what changed...maybe my attitude, maybe just the post-baby hormones that always put me in a good mood. In any case, it was a great day (actually, weekend) and I am so thankful and so blessed.
My birthday actually got to start on Friday. Alaina was at school and Jason took the other kids out for most of the day. Our house helpers didn't come that day either and so I had the house to myself (well, me and Bethany!) The quiet was bliss and I enjoyed some time to get some things done and to just sit and cuddle with my girl.
When Jason and the kids came home, they arrived with gift -- LOTS of them. I had told Jason that I would like some plants for around the house. I was thinking just a few...but they came home with something like 12! And I am so excited...my house has green all over it now. And the bonus? I specifically asked for indoor plants I couldn't kill. We'll see...
On Saturday morning I got to sneak away for a bit and have coffee and breakfast with my dear friend Abigail. Time alone to chat as women and moms...the perfect gift. Here we are with our babies (this was taken the next day).
On Saturday night we headed out to the Sheraton Hotel for their prime rib buffet dinner. But first, we snapped a few photos in the front yard.
Katie is so cute...but she would much rather take pictures like this:
And then I handed the camera over. Unfortunately, I forgot to adjust my settings before handing it over and most were taken with a shutter speed 1/30. Um, yea...can we say blurry? Oh well! We managed to salvage a few.
So the prime rib buffet at the Sheraton...they have it once a week and I have been wanting to take the whole family there for a long time (Jason and I have been twice in the three years we have been here). It was an incredible meal...tons of salad, bread, juicy prime rib, fresh fruit, and more. Definitely food we don't usually get! The kids had a blast. It was so fun for them to be able to eat as much as they wanted. They were stuffed, but they kept going. I love this picture of Caleb! It's the "I don't know if I can eat another bite but it is ICE CREAM so I have to" look on his face that kills me! And don't you just love the napkin??
So Jason saw this picture and said, "I never noticed that centrepiece." I guess the food was too good to notice the MASSIVE centerpiece on the buffet!
The dessert table...a chocolate fountain with skewers of strawberries and grapes, ice cream, chocolate mousse, tons of cakes, and more!
The carving station
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On Sunday (my actual birthday) we went on a hike to a waterfall. I've done the walk once before, but it had been over a year. The kids have done it a few times. We invited our good friends to go with us and so with nine kids age eight and under (including two tiny babies!) we loaded up in cars, drove the 45 minutes to the start, and hiked in. It was PERFECT. The kids were amazing...even when they fell in the water, got muddy, and had to cross dodgy bamboo bridges. The weather was incredible...it was cool and cloud covered while we walked, sunny when we got to the waterfall and the kids played in the water, and cool again when we walked back. We thought we were about to get poured on as we approached our cars, but instead the sun came back out and we got to have a picnic outside. Really, it was the perfect morning. These friends are SO dear to us and I am so thankful they got to celebrate my birthday with us (come to think of it, they were with us last year too -- our two families flew to Malaysia on my bday!)
We took tons of pictures...here are a few for your viewing pleasure...
After we got home from our hike, it was time for Jason to head to his church leadership meeting and then we had church. We stole a few minutes before he left, though, and opened a few gifts. Coffee mugs, a new bracelet, and a new ring (plus all the plants from Friday). My family is so sweet! Look at that cake they made me! Alaina made the frosting all by herself!
After church and dinner, we finally got to eat some cake. Super yummy!
Yep...my 34th birthday was a great one! I am counting my blessings and praying that this next year will be amazing. My wish (prayer) while blowing out my candles was that our family would see God do BIG things this year. I have no doubt...
Happy Birthday (late)! Looks like it was a wonderful weekend!
Posted by: Daisy | April 05, 2011 at 09:49 PM
Happy Birthday! Sounds like an awesome one. And what a sweet extended celebration of days. Don't you love it when they actually listen to your requests (the plants)? And look at the centerpiece on the dessert buffet. Is that beans in those tall glass cylinders? Awesome. How did you make the long display of pictures? Is that really a scrapbook page somehow? Too many questions. Sorry. Just thinking out loud i guess. Once again Happy Birthday! Mine is this Saturday(:
Posted by: Rhadonda | April 05, 2011 at 09:51 PM