My Birthday Weekend

This has been one of the best weekends I've had in a LONG time. I am so grateful to have been able to celebrate another year of living...another year of life! As you know, the past year has been one of immense struggle with my health issues. With everything that happened during my month long stay in the hospital back in November, to my recent ten day stay in the hospital for surgery, it's been a long, trying & painful year. There were times during my month-long hospitalization that I didn't know if I'd pull through one more time and live to see the next day. I've been really sick many times in my life, but I've never felt so close to death as I did during that hospital stay. So to be able to celebrate my birthday yesterday was indeed a celebration to me.

Thank you to my Facebook buddies who sent me lots of well wishes. I appreciated EVERY SINGLE ONE! Thanks to my two sweeties who spoiled me with a few gifts. And thanks to my AMAZING family who threw me a fantastic birthday party at my house today. Special thanks to my dear sis who put it all together and made it all look so festive.

We had mom's BBQ beef sandwiches, baked beans, broccoli & rice casserole, crab/artichoke dip, 7-layer salad, deviled eggs, watermelon, Maggie Moo's ice cream cake, pink lemonade and sweet tea! And it was ALL so yummy, I've already been back for seconds!

We had some GREAT conversation, laughed a lot, found ourselves tearing up quite a few times too, reminisced about loved ones gone and what it will be like to see them again one day. We talked about hopes for the future & dreams for our children. Gentry kept us laughing with his antics and we even snagged a few pictures of it all!

My heart is full and I find myself once again so utterly thankful for the simplest things in life...like family, love, relationships, friends, health and above all...my faith in an unchanging God.

I am headed to Meridian, MS with my hubby this week. Dale is putting up a building at a military base down there and hates to be without Gentry and me during the week. So since I didn't have any doctor appointments this week, I thought I'd try to venture out and go with him this week. Hopefully we can get a hotel with a pool so Gentry can go swimming and maybe I'll find something interesting to do during the day while Dale's at work. I don't know of anything "to do" in Meridian, so if anyone has suggestions, please feel free to let me know! :) We'll be back home on Friday night, so it will be a short trip. I'm looking forward to eating some fresh seafood while I'm down there. Been craving some crawfish, but don't know if I'll get to eat any before season's up.

Well, I think I've gone rambling, so I'll close for now. I'll keep you posted while we're gone.

Blessings to you!