Best Gift Ever

My birthday was this week and it was fabulous.  Eva (4) randomly told me throughout the day several times in a very sincere voice, "Happy Birthday, Mom."  

I had a guilt-free lazy day.  I didn't brush my hair or get dressed until 4 pm, so it was basically awesome.  After I finally got around to showering Eva came to cuddle me and we had a conversation similar to one that I had with Rachel when she was around Eva's age. 

"Why are girls soft?" she implored.
"Hormones," I replied.
"Why are you so squishy?" she inquired as she gently pushed on my breasts.
"Fat," I said lightheartedly, while a soft laugh escaped my lips.
Unexpectedly she said, "When I'm a mom, I'm going to be fat and squishy, too."
I laughed and asked, "Do you want to be fat and squishy when you're a mom?"
She melted deeper into my body and looked into my face with admiring eyes, "I just want to be like you."

Now that is one of the sweetest, best birthday gifts ever.

These were also fantastic gifts...

Cousins David & Nathaniel were visiting us for a week.

Children prepping apples for my birthday cake.

Chicken coop finished (well, finished enough).  It was made mostly by my sweet husband.

 The desert (aka our yard) is in bloom.

A valuable lesson was learned while photographing cactus.  Don't lean in too close...I ended up with 4 spines stuck in my breast. 

Spending the day with my family.

Only missing 30 candles

A slow (funeral procession slow) version of the "Happy Birthday" song.  I promise we were excited.

One year ago on Kwajalein...

Around 35 years ago in Honduras...

L to R: Vanessa, David, Jennifer, Chrisann, Rebecca, Sarah, Mom with Florence in lap.