Happy Birthday to Me!

Today I turned 24... an old maid.

Don't feel the need to correct me on that; I've already been reprimanded twice. Once by my boss telling me that at 62, he has clothes older than me, and again by a student informing me that you have to be unmarried to be an old maid. Ok, ok. So I'm not an old maid. I get it!

I was greeted by a decorated office door at work this morning:


















And presents on my desk!














Brandi, my wonderful co-worker, not only made sure I arrived to a beautiful setting, but she made me a very yummy chocolate chip cake (Brandi, you need to put the recipe on your blog -- it was delicious!) and surprised me with a Hobby Lobby gift card. How fun!

Laura was kind enough to return Judah to me (he was staying with her while she was recovering from her wisdom teeth being removed), and he was dressed to party!


















Speaking of Laura, she not only made me a basket of goodies, but also treated me to lunch at the Cycler's Café. Thanks, friend, for making my birthday so special!

And just when I thought my day couldn't get better, Penelope even paid me a visit at work. Isn't that thoughtful of her?


















My loving husband had a few surprises to which I could come home:
































(You may be thinking, oh, how romantic -- rose petals on the bed! True, true. But I was just happy that he made the bed!)

He made me a surprisingly difficult scavenger hunt that ultimately revealed this:












You can imagine my excitement -- especially after canceling cable!

There were many other people that thoughtfully expressed kind wishes to me on my birthday through notes, cards, emails, voicemails, gifts and many facebook wall messages. I really appreciate it. :)

...

It amazes me that even after all this, I find myself slightly disappointed. Isn't that incredible? To think that after all of the affection I've received today, I still feel like I needed more. Not more stuff, for sure, but more... I don't know. Confirmation? Affection? Kind words from friends and family I expected to hear from but didn't? It's silly, really, and it reminds me of how much I need a Savior. I should just be grateful that I'm alive on my 24th birthday. More than that, that I'm loved by the living God! I shouldn't need anything else. There is nothing else. Hopefully in the next 24 years I'll grasp that!

In closing, let me say just one more time:












I have been blessed with far more than I deserve!