Birthday

Today is my birthday & I have once again turned another year older. How can this be? Seems like I was doing this just a few months ago?? I no longer feel young but I don't feel old either. Even though Shane is now 15 months younger than me & will jokingly refer to me as his "old lady" - lol. So I am now 39 years old & it is my last "hoo-rah" in my 30's. What a scary thought!

The day started off by waking up to a beautiful card & birthday gift from Shane. Then I listened to the cutest, sweetest birthday message ever by my two nephews (Tanner & Cael) which totally made my day! As I made my way into St. Lukes-South my phone started blowing up with all kinds of text messages & voice mails & it didn't quit all morning!

Once I got to work, my co-workers had suprised me with breakfast from Panera:

Thanks to this lovely lady (Lori) for going out of her way this morning to make breakfast happen:

After doing our morning cases, my team was going to take me out to lunch but an unexpected emergency in the ER trumped our plans :( We ended up doing the procedure & afterwards I was finally able to sit down & check my email. I was blown away to see almost 80 birthday messages in my inbox which the majority were from Facebook. Talk about making a person feel loved :)

As I was sitting at the nurse's station enjoying the down-time, my dear friend Stetson comes around the corner with a surprise:

He had made my absolute favorite cheesecake: White Chocolate Raspberry

Mmmm - it tasted even better than it looks! Thanks SO much Stetson - you are such a dear friend:

After a relaxing day at work, I headed downtown to meet my girlfriend's for dinner at our favorite mexican restaurant - Rudy's. We celebrated with a margarita, a great dinner, presents from the girls & then topped it off with some fried ice cream - compliments of Rudy himself :)

I ended up getting home pretty late & was excited to see that I had one last little surprise waiting for me on the doorstep. My girlfriend Keri (who shares my love of fall, pumpkin baked-goods & Christmas music on Nov 1st) dropped off a little gift consisting of a Yankee candle in my most favorite scent: Autumn Leaves. Wouldn't be surprised if I start burning it this weekend while whipping up some Pumpkin Bars....just sayin'! Thank you so very much Keri :)

I must say it was a wonderful day & a great start to being 39! I am SO very blessed with a great husband, loving family & so many friends who are near & dear to my heart!

As I reflect back on being 38 years old, I am closing the door on the hard times & disappointments. I will treasure all the wonderful memories made with friends & family & will open my heart to what is to come in the next year. My perspective has shifted once again. I remember when I turned 29 & how upsetting it was for me to be leaving my 20's & how I hadn’t yet accomplished all I had wanted to by 30. Now that I have checked off all those "must-do's", I look forward to being another year older. I can think happily about all the things I plan on doing this year & the new list of items that need to be checked off the list before I turn......40!

::gasp::

Ugh - it pains me to even write it but I am going to embrace it & make the best of it. There is LOTS yet to do before this time next year & can't wait to experience it all with those who matter in my life!!