Another birthday celebration week

I don't know why Eric seems to get the shaft for his birthday each year because I just seem to draw out the celebrations as long as possible. Here's how my birthday week went (without many photos because the batteries were dead--humph!).

Last Saturday evening Eric and I got to go out after a swap worked out with a friend. We felt bad that Carrol was watching five kids all alone, after we had barely watched one of hers the night before! But it was so nice to be able to go out. We went to Noodles & Co to get my free bowl of noodles and enjoyed just relaxing and taking our time through dinner. Half-way through our meal, a dear friend Kate came in with her husband and daughter, and it was so fun to chat with her and catch up a little bit. Kate is one of those people who make you feel so good about who you are and what you do. She is a joy to be around, and it was so fun to run into her that night. After dinner we had fun browsing TJ Maxx--looking at comforters for the girls' room, admiring kitchen gadgets that we don't have room for, and thinking about apartment-improvement. :) We stopped at the chocolate shop for a few treats before picking up the kids. It was a nice, slow evening spent with Eric.

Saturday afternoon my sweet sister had called to say she wanted to make my birthday cake for me. After some talk, we decided to turn it into a dinner get-together Sunday night. It's been so long since we've been close to family to celebrate birthdays that it really didn't even cross my mind! But it was so nice. We spent the evening at their house. The kids played, we ate and ate, old journal entries were read for the entertainment of all, and we reminisced about good days past. My cake request was a chocolate chip cookie cake, one from my childhood that I used to love and still crave. My brother-in-law asked what I did for my birthday 10 years ago, and it just so happens that that birthday was spent in Ukraine on my mission! It was fun to remember that, and we had a fun night with family.

Monday afternoon my good friend Tiffany also watched five kids by herself so Eric and I could again get out for another free birthday meal at Benihana. (Our kids sure got some great friend time this week!) I had never been to a Japanese steak house before, and was excited for the experience. We enjoyed watching our chef cook our food, and it was fun sampling each others' menu selections. I think I drank three full glasses of strawberry lemonade, and I thoroughly enjoyed my chocolate ice cream covered in whipped cream and chocolate sauce at the end of the meal. I even had enough money left over on my birthday gift card that we brought home two full rolls of sushi.

Tuesday, my big day, the kids had signs and balloons out for me in the morning. They were so sweet. Since Eric had to work all day, and Mierae and Jolie were at school, we decided to go out in the evening to celebrate. Chick-Fil-A has their kids' night on Tuesdays, so we headed up there as soon as Eric got home from work. We all enjoyed our food, and the kids had a ton of fun playing in the play area. Henrik was so excited playing there with the big kids! The girls took him up to the top and went down the slide with him. It was so cute to watch. Half-way through their ice cream cones, we headed across the street to Target so the girls could choose a birthday gift for me. Eric kept asking me what I wanted for my birthday, and I really couldn't think of anything. Then I remembered that I wanted to get some new earrings, so I had the girls go to the jewelry section with me. They liked the earrings with feathers and animal figurines, but I convinced them that a set of three metal teardrop earrings would be the best thing for me. :) After that, we browsed a bit more, and I also came home with a lovely black knit dress. When we got home I had several messages on the answering machine from my siblings. All of my siblings either called or left me Facebook messages for my birthday, and I had so many friends leave me messages or drop by gifts. I felt so loved!!

We had one last coupon to use for my free birthday sundae at Graeter's. We finally went this past Saturday afternoon so the kids could play, and the girls loved showing Henrik around and helping him down the slides.

On my birthday night Eric's sister called to wish me a happy birthday. She asked how old I was (32), and as I thought about it I told her that I feel like I'm at the best time in my life right now. I hope that I've always lived my life "in the moment" and enjoyed each phase of my life. But the phase I'm at right now is the best so far:

I feel like I'm finally getting to know myself.  I have learned a lot the last several years, thanks to all of my life's unique situations.  I'm thankful for the people who have come in and out of my life--all have had an impact on me.  I'm learning that being myself if the best thing to be.

I love watching my kids grow up. I love hearing the girls talk about how they see life. I love finding out what fascinates them and what they love to learn about.

I love having a son. He is affectionate, happy, full of life, and such a joy to me. I love to see how everyone in the family plays and interacts with him.

I am more in love with my husband than I've ever been.

I am so very happy.