Birthday Blessings!

A few weeks ago, I really didn't think that my 32nd birthday would be anything special. Especially after the week the Grisham family had. First, Robert had a kidney stone for several days, including one trip to the ER, three trips to Walgreens, and another trip to the doctor. When he was home, he was laid up in bed, being soothed by vicodin. Second, I strained a muscle in my shoulder that caused minor irritation for the same number of days, but caused several headaches (including one brutal headache that kept me from enjoying the Cooper Young Art Auction on Sat. night and caused me to throw up in the bathroom at Young Ave. Deli...what can I say, I think it's a rite of passage for a Memphian.) That wouldn't be much to complain about, only I was having to be the single parent most of the days while Robert was laid up. And Micah had no concern for mommy's hurt shoulder. All 25 pounds of his rebellious 22 month old-self tried to run from me any chance he could, leaving me to carry him around more than I should have. Many friends and family helped out with the kids, which was the first of many blessings that got us through.

The first birthday celebration was with Robert, who by this point on Monday was feeling a little better, and took me to Au Fond, a new French cafe in our neighborhood. It was a terrific lunch, and great company! Then, I escaped by myself for a few hours to do some shopping while Nana kept the boys. While I was shopping, I got a text from my friend Kristi, that said our family's photo had won the "Cutest Family in Memphis" contest and will be competing with 52 other photos for a brand new car! WOW! (We didn't win the car, but it was fun to support Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep!)

Then, I came home to find my future brother-in-law, Stephen, had dropped off a present from he and Megan, a gift card (for more shopping!) and then a bag full of shoes that she was passing on to me!! (Yay for little sister getting married and having to clean out her huge closet to make room for her new husband's clothes!!) Of course, facebook makes birthdays known to your entire world, so I was bombarded with wishes from loving friends from so many different seasons of my life. It was surreal to hear from people I've loved my entire life all in one day. And then, three of my best girlfriends took me out to dinner at Cafe 1912! We sat on the patio, had amazing food and great conversation! It was a perfect ending to a memorable birthday.

I could not think a birthday could get any better. But it did. My accountability partner, who is another wonderfully gifted photographer, came to our weekly meeting with a wrapped canvas. As I opened it, she listed 7 friends from NC who contributed to this gift for me. It was the canvas print of her "Stars Hollow" photo that she had donated to the Cooper Young art auction (really, it's the Cooper Young gazebo in the snow, but she's a Gilmore Girls fan too and gets it!) I have loved that photo since I saw it several months ago, and really wanted to win it in the CY auction on Saturday night, but had the brutal headache that kept me from trying to beat out the 10 other folks who were bidding on it. Seeing the beautiful canvas in my home today, I am stunned and overwhelmed. I am blessed to have wonderful friends!