My 33rd Birthday

was on Friday the 13th- almost a week ago and it was WONDERFUL.  Nate brought me coffee in bed and made me breakfast.  The kids wished me happy birthday.  My friends at my Mom group wished me happy birthday and we had a great time.  I talked to a great friend from college who I don't talk to often enough.  I picked up Nate and Olivia and got to see her Olivia's Valentines from school.  We drove to my parents house and LEFT THE KIDS!  Nate and I went to Starbucks for their date afternoon.  Then we went to Olive Garden for dinner and used a gift card we have had since I was pregnant with Isaac!  Then we leisurely made our way to our NorthEast Winter Conference with the Navigators at the Southbridge Hotel and Conference Center.  Check out the website for the conference here:  http://www.northeastnavigators.com/winter-conference.html

A friend met us with a few special birthday/valentines days present and Nate and I got to chill before the conference began.  We connected with old friends and got to praise God along with 300 other students!  It has been 5 years since I have had the chance to be in a sitting like that, worshiping God without a child in or on me and it was WONDERFUL.

Along the way many friends sent text messages, voicemails, cards and Facebook messages- I felt extremely loved and cared for.  Thank you to all of you!

As I reflect on this year thus far I feel like I am in such a wonderful space.  In my marriage, as a parent, in ministry, in friendships!  I am excited for what this year will hold and hope I can hold onto this hope the whole year.

A special message from a long ago friend stood out:

Nicole and I spent many hours together serving ice cream and fried dough at Hampton Beach Summer project back 2001.  A summer that changed my life in so many ways!

Starbucks Date

We made it- without the kids!  I haven't felt so carefree in years- THANK YOU MOM AND DAD!!!