Gifting...

When I went to bed the night before my birthday, I found this sweet offering on my bedside table... Livie had been thoughtfully busy. (Do you see her precious shells in the display? There was even a whole sand dollar she had saved from an adventure with Tuma in the summer.) Does it get any better? Turns out it did...

The next morning Livie came in early to help me celebrate...I had MacGyver, dogs, Livie and Hope all tumbling and snuggling together on our bed.  Can you imagine what is in this lovely masterpiece?  I was tempted to leave it wrapped but she wouldn't have it.

this is it...and MacGyver immediately ran downstairs and filled it with my favorite  hazlenut brew...

Hope, too, had thoughtfully prepared for my birthday weeks ahead buying a beautiful, china plate at one of our favorite bazaars and saving it for my big day.

Isn't it lovely?  ...just like my daughter...

And Jon, bless him, watched the girls so MacGyver and I could have an evening strolling under the twinkling lights of Bridgeport, eating my favorite burgers in a heated gazebo.  It's so fun to be outdoors in the fall...  We even found the amazing lampshade we've been searching for...photo in a later blog.  Did I tell you, Jon left me a package for Hope to deliver after he went back to school?  He'd been shopping at Nike...and bought me a new hoodie.  Another, perfectly thoughtful gift.  

And there were gifts from family afar and dear ones close by...cards to make me belly laugh and cry all at the same time.  ...time spent with friends to help me celebrate.  My heart is full.  Thank you Lord for all these wonderful ones You've placed in my life.  I am blessed.  These are the good  ol' days...