May 19, 2023 - Friday



HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!! The big 4-0. It's exciting! I am so grateful for this life that I have lived...even the hard parts. It has been a good life, but an especially good last 15 years. The fact that God allowed my marriage with Ben to work, even though he wasn't saved when we got together is still astounding to me. And then bringing us all of these overwhelming, wonderful, loving, heart filling kids. It's just been such an incredible ride. I didn't even think I'd ever be a mom 20 years ago! To have a home that is safe, in a good area, and larger (by far) than any house I had ever lived in; to have a reliable vehicle that fits my whole family in it; to have jobs where I'm appreciated and I make decent money and work my own schedule; to have consistent, loyal, and loving friendships...I am just so entirely blessed and so entirely undeserving and so entirely grateful. What a nightmare my life would be without God. Here's to another 40 productive and love-filled years ahead...hopefully! :) 

Today was busy. We did a good job prepping for the party ahead of time, but there was still plenty to get done today. We spent about 8 hours getting ready at a pretty leisurely pace and then it was party time! Everybody looked so amazing!! The costumes were so fun. The food all turned out delicious and the drinks were yummy. I received a bunch of really thoughtful gifts. Seriously, no fails! Every gift I got was super awesome. It was just a really fun, fun evening, surrounded by people that I care about. I couldn't have asked for a better evening, a better guest list, better weather, or anything better at all! Ben is thinking we'll have to have part II for his 40th in a year and a few months. 😋 We were up SO late. People didn't leave until 12:30am! 

I really only took Polaroids tonight, but MJ took a bunch of other photos that I'll have to upload and keep. The instant ones were a lot of fun though! And, I promise, I'll stop posting pictures of myself after this. It's been a bit much for me to see on my blog dashboard! 🙈



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