showered with LOVE

although the events of my birthday were fabulous, nothing compares to the gifts that were given from the heart. I am still COMPLETELY overwhelmed with how much love was shown to me yesterday. I truly feel spoiled. I received loving comments on my blog/facebook, non-stop telephone calls, emails, texts, cards in the mail, presents at my doorstep, 3 batches of cupcakes AND I got a fresh peach cobbler.... yummy!


NOT to mention, Dana's sweet blog post, a gorgeous flower bouquet (pictured above) and card from Bev... and even a POEM written by my parents... It was almost too much. But NOTHING compares to the homemade gifts I received from my husband and kids...

(these notes/pictures were inside a big cardboard box..
which also happened to be decorated with messages/pictures.)

You would think THAT would be enough. But let me remind you that I am married to the most thoughtful, considerate man on the planet. For the past few days, he has been working on a "project" with our sons. He cut out colored strips of paper (every person had their own color) and they each wrote 30 reasons why they love me. I woke up on my birthday to 100+ love notes all around the house. I literally had to catch my breath (and grab tissue) while I read each and every one. I decided to include a few for my book. keep in mind, this is only a portion of them... I would post them all if it didn't take so long to scan them in! Without a doubt, this is the most priceless thing I have every received..

(color code: Aaron=brown, Luke=dark blue, Zack=green, Ben=light blue)

I am going to put them in a safe envelope, but I'm trying to figure out a way to keep them visible (possibly in photo-form) so I can hang them by my kitchen sink and read them while I do dishes... still brainstorming here.

One cute story about these strips-- a couple of days before my birthday, while cleaning up paperwork from school, I found some blank blue strips of paper. I asked the boys if I could throw them away and I heard little voices scream "NO!" Ben and Luke looked at each other awkwardly. Luke finally said, "We can't tell you." Ben clarified, "We CAN tell you, but we don't WANT to." I smiled and figured they were making some type of craft for me, but I had no idea that their dad put them up to such a big project! What a wonderful birthday surprise!

Being a wife and mom is tough. Aaron works a lot and sometimes I feel like I have too much on my plate. But after a day like yesterday, I know that it's ALL worth it. The laundry, ironing, cooking, playing card games, sacrificing, lack of sleep. I honestly cannot wait to bring another little guy into our family, even if it's going to add to the work load.

Yesterday I had a little personal revelation while I was relaxing in the bathtub. There is a very important reason why we have ALL BOYS. Maybe there are several reasons, but the thing I realized yesterday was that they have the BEST daddy in the world and everyday they learn from his example. While staying up late planning a birthday surprise for their mom, they are literally being TRAINED on how to be good husbands and fathers. Their future wives are so lucky because by the time they are married, they will know how important it is to shower the ones that you love. Don't you think there is such a big need for good men in this world? I do. I am so blessed to have these particular men in mine.