29...

I turned 29 today.

Steven and I have talked a lot about how we want to approach birthdays and holidays in our family.

We don't want our children to think that it's about how big or how many gifts are received.  But it's a great time to reflect on how much we do have, and what is really important.

Quality time is more than I could ever ask for.

That's exactly what I got today from my little family.

And a few other things as well :)

I woke up to this...

And this... :)

We went out to breakfast and then headed to the DMV to renew my license.

This wasn't originally on the schedule until my husband noticed last night that my license expires today.  A question I hear quite often from his, "What would you do without me?"


I don't even know my love, I don't even know.


But 30 minutes, pleasant workers, and a Lucy greeting to everyone in the building and we were out of there.

Then home for a nap and some lounging.

After some rest, Steven suggested we head to an antique market.  What?!?  Heck ya!

Lucy was ready.

We found this fun toy.

And Steven finally bought me a goat...

Not quite.

Then it was off to downtown to a local bakery where we had a little treat and I picked out my cake for tonight. (This was mainly because my niece was very concerned that Uncle Steven would NOT get me a cake and you HAVE to have a cake on your birthday!)

I chose a strawberry cake.  It was INCREDIBLE.

Then back home to watch a movie.

It was a great day. 

There were some more errands thrown in there, and other normal day things.  But Steven, Lucy, and I spent the entire day together, every minute.  It's amazing how the simplest, most mundane things become fun.

What's even more amazing is that these days spent completely together are not even saved for special occasions.  They happen pretty frequently.

Lord, may I never take these days for granted.

Yes, it was a great day.

That's really all I can say.  I'm afraid if I try to express any more, the amount of gratitude and humble amazement at all that is in my life will turn me into a weepy pile of mush on my keyboard.

My friends, my family, my husband, my little girl, the baby being formed inside of me now.

It's the stuff I dreamed about as a little girl, yet it's all more than I ever imagined or deserve.

Love, joy, and gratitude.  This is what I'm sending back into the Universe.