Birthday surprises

I've noticed this week that before our read aloud time, the girls would disappear into the loft and quietly work on something. When I would come upstairs to read with them, the desk would be clean and they would be snuggling in on the couch to listen to "Little Women". Honestly, I didn't think much about it until yesterday.

I heard them giggling and then Emma said, "There might be something for you in the kitchen." Well, I headed in there to refill my coffee cup and this was sitting on my counter:




It's a one day early birthday card from "the who". She is in first grade, so pardon the spelling. but it says. "Hapee Brthday Mommy" I love my mommy." So precious, and the fact that she placed it right in front of my coffee maker is priceless. That girl knows where I spend my time!!!

About that same time, our doorbell rang. I needed to sign for a delivery. It was a very generous gift card to one of my all time favorite places. Compliments of my in-laws-A. It didn't take long for me to find several articles of clothing, place them in my virtual shopping cart and check out. And GUESS WHAT!!! I received confirmation that they were shipped YESTERDAY!!!! So maybe, just maybe they'll be here in time for our concert on Saturday! (if you think about it say a prayer for Freedom's Call on Saturday around noon, we're singing in what can be a dangerous part of Atlanta. Thanks) Can you tell I'm excited?

I had most precious alarm EARLY this morning. It was the sweetest little face standing over me saying Happy Birthday Mommy. Chloe has always been an early riser, and today was no different. She crawled in bed with us for a few minutes, and we put together a Birthday Puzzle she had made for me. It was pretty cool. This is the card Chloe made for me.




And this is the card Emma had waiting for me when I got up.



(Yes I know it's upside down. I've deleted and uploaded it twice and it continues to do this, I'm giving up!)

This is the first year they have done this completely on their own. Daddy did not have to prompt them, which tells me they are growing up! I'm so thankful they have such generous hearts.

My girlfriends in Freedom's Call gave me the most beautiful necklace. I LOVE it!
I'm trying to build an outfit around it to wear on Saturday when we sing again. :)

Last week when we were singing at Celebrate the Savior, my husband was very busy. I came home to find my dining room walls had been transformed into the beautiful Italian Olive that I so dearly love. Thanks Chad! I LOVE it. :)




He is also taking me to see Jim Brickman on Saturday evening. I can hardly contain my excitement. While I would never EVER take a picture during the concert, you better believe I'll have some of us before hand. I'll share those this weekend. One day, I'll have a picture with the Brickman, but until then, I'll just take a picture with the program...... honestly, if I were to have the opportunity to meet him, I would have no earthly idea what to say. I would probably humiliate myself, my husband, my parents and my piano teachers, plus scare the poor guy to death. :)

So on to the neatest thing about my birthday. A couple of months ago I posted about God using a Blog Siesta to help shove me to Siesta Fiesta (Living Proof in San Antonio) next August. For those who don't remember, (as if you hang on to my every word and remember every detail of my life!) this precious siesta could not attend and GAVE ME HER TICKET!!! Chad and I agreed that it was confirmation that YES, I was to go. Well......look what came in the mail TODAY.



Yes it did!! So I feel like I'm celebrating with Beth and Travis too!!

God is good. Shortly after I opened this my Dad calls to tell me how his biopsy went. He doesn't have one spot, he has three. BUT, they are so small right now they will not do a biopsy. (Gracious, I just re-read that last sentence and I originally typed autopsy. Glad I caught that one!) The decision was made to wait three months and then take another look. I've been praying that God would take the spot away, and I will continue to pray this way. I believe that those places may have gotten smaller over the last 2 weeks, maybe they'll be completely gone on that next visit.

THEN, my mom calls. Grandmother is moving to a private room as I type this. Praise the Lord. She wound up having her aorta replaced, and surgery was a little more intense than originally thought. She's doing well, but we want her to stay as long as possible!

I don't think this day could get any better. Thank you Lord, for giving me a day like today. You've shown yourself to me every time I've turned around. Thank you for health, friends, and family. But most of all thank your for your presence. It's more precious to me than anything.