38 and feeling great!

So today is my birthday and I have to say it's been darn near perfect! The weather was ripe for gardening and I took off fairly early this morning to wander about the nurseries and box stores for sparklies to add to my collection of plants and such. I had the great opportunity to hook up with my best friend at lowes and shop not only for my garden but hers, which I always find great fun in helping others figure out their plant needs and any opportunity to be creative. We had a great time and parted ways, me with my car full of new goodies to plant in the dirt ( and a fabulous new canvas gardening bag compliments of the besty). Got home, got the ipod with all my favorite tunes, a few shovels and such and got to work adding to the spots in my garden that needed some brightening up, always letting my mind get ahead of me with the great vision and plans I have for the next empty spot. Finally petered out around 3 and decided a shower might be in order since I always manage to get as dirty as possible when digging in the dirt ( I am definitely a no glove gardener). While showering, I was pondering that while I had a great time with my besty, I missed seeing the kids and the day just would not be perfect unless I did...and then there was the need for a sweet afternoon snack so why not combine the two? So, off I went to scoop up the older girls for ice cream and to spend some time with the 2 youngers at the casa. It really did melt my heart walking in the door, as they all greeted me with love hugs and kisses and a birthday serenade. I am so incredibly blessed by my surrogate kids. They will never know or realize how much they mean to me and how very much I love them. I love that Hanna and I, as she is becoming older, are becoming friends as well as me being "aunt Erin." I love that although Liv is 7, she still runs and wraps herself around me whenever I walk in the door. I love that Norah is anxious to show off her latest talent for me and makes sure I watch her every new thing she can do, and I love that when the girls are getting too much attention, Will loudly reminds me that he wants my love hugs and affection too with his oh so smiley and sweet personality. I am also excited that as part of our trip out today, I was able to take my sweet girls out to get Clivey, the newest member to wrap himself around my heart, a couple of treats I knew he would not destoy too quickly and it gave me great joy to watch him run around the backyard proudly sporting his new bone!! I love that my special day would have never been complete without all of them being a part of it!
I also took some quiet time this morning to go through my most cherished birthday cards from my mom. Of course that is always bittersweet, but while I may be crying when reading them, missing her, she always wrote such beautiful and encouraging words that lift me up. Her words have kept giving and lifting me up long after she has gone home and I am grateful for such a precious gift.
I still anticipate going to dinner and spending quality time with my beloved husband tonight!
I relished all of the birthday wishes on FB and the calls and e-mails from friends and family and I am just so thankful for all that I have been blessed with.
God, thank you for blessing me so abundantly and for allowing me to know and be with so many special people in the journey. Your love for me will never stop amazing me. Happy birthday to me!