My favorite birthday... turning 40!

Last Friday I turned 40 and I while I was dreading it a bit, it turned out to be my most favorite birthday of my life.  Who knew right?

It started on Thursday night when my dear friends Janelle and Sonya came over in the evening and social distancing we sat outside in our backyard and talked until midnight... officially the start of my 40th year.  It was so nice, I hadn't seen them in so long.  They of course, thought of every detail, even down to their Noah's Kindness Project t-shirts.  I love those ladies... thank you again

Then that night I went to bed and checked Facebook where Jarrett had posted beautiful birthday wishes from him and the kids along with photos from our past years together.  Super touching.  I went to bed thinking it was a pretty amazing start to 40.

The next morning I woke up to a flood of messages, calls, posts and more.  Wow did I feel so so so loved.  I couldn't even keep up, still I'm reading messages.  I felt like I was floating on air.  Stacey stopped by to bring me a rainbow bouquet and a bag of chocolate that was supposed to last 40 days and 40 nights (always reminding me of my connection to our angel), sadly it might only last about 4 days and nights but I'm trying.  Then it was a beautiful bouquet of flowers from our wonderful old neighbors and friends the Franklins (so pretty and fragrant).  Then my friend Trudi stopped by for a wonderful socially distant visit and cookies... She knows me too.  The kids had tried to make cookies for me but they forgot the flour and we weren't sure what other ingredients so we just decided to stick with Trudi's gift.  It was so wonderful to see Trudi too!

And then Debi, our friend stopped by with a photo cake, ice cream and toppings and candles (so many candles).  It was so so nice.

And I"m still forgetting other things.... the gift bag from a friend Tamara, phone calls, the posts... my oh my the posts.  I literally haven't felt love like this since we had our children and when we lost Noah.

The entire day I couldn't stop thinking about how blessed I was and how turning 40 is such a gift.  Some people don't get to turn 40 and instead of looking at it like a bad thing to turn another decade older, I am at a point in my life where I have the dreams I've wanted since I was young.

My family, my incredible children, wonderful friends, happiness, confidence in who I am, faith that even when life knocks me down, I can get back up and determination to make the life I have the best it can be.

I have so much to be thankful for.  For so many of you who sent me kind messages, who posted pictures of days and years past and for giving me a chance to remember so many great times, to read words that filled my heart many times over and for being a part of my life.

40 is great so far.  Now I pray for our world, our country... for more kindness, for more understanding... and MORE LOVE.  We need it now more than ever.

Until next time,
Angie