it's my birthday

i'm 35. today. and i like it. i have had such a lovely day.

{a picture from a couple days ago - because i didn't get one with ben today}

{isaac picked out the card with the dog pooping - inside it says something about the "simple pleasures"}

{this is how maddie crushes chocolate cookies for birthday cake crust - with a rubber mallet}

{that dessert is gluten-free chocolate cookie crust, a layer of almond vanilla "ice cream" and a layer of caramel, chocolate swirl coconut "ice cream" with strawberries on top - oh my, oh my, oh my}

the day started with a bike ride with ben and coffee and banana cookies in the park with some friends that we are doing pre-marriage counseling with (ben will officiate their wedding on march 28).

then there was brunch - eggs and bacon and sweet potatoes.

i didn't do any cooking or dishes all day. so nice.

my sister called me - i love to chat with her.

isaac gave me an green floating lounge - now i am really looking forward to ice-out!

maddie gave me a mug with gnomes all around - what a happy way to drink coffee!

ben gave me a new, green bike - what a smooth ride!

my mom gave me some fun stationery and a fun bird tag - it will brighten my space at work.

so many dear peeps sent me facebook messages and texts - i am feeling very, very loved.

ben grilled burgers for supper, and he and maddie made me heavenly birthday cake.

we spent hours and hours outside in the fresh, warm spring air.

if i started counting blessings - just the ones in today - i would be sitting here till the wee hours of the morning and on into tomorrow. tonight, i can't help but smile.

and, since i ended last year's birthday post with a comparison, i will end this year's with one, too.

last year, this was my birthday weather . . . {you can see the snow and cold}