Recently, a friend talked about how he has to practice "Hope Management" whenever his wife starts to get notions about what she'd like done around the house, etc. I love this term, because it easily applies to me for birthdays, as well as other things. If I can keep my expectations in check, then I usually am pretty content with how things go.
Now, this year was certainly not my worst birthday. I remember having the chicken pox on my 7th birthday...I also remember 5 years ago leaving early in the morning on my birthday to depart on a long road trip to Mississippi with a group of college girls I didn't yet know and who didn't care much that it was my birthday. Those are up there among birthdays that didn't really feel like birthdays.
This year, being 8+ months pregnant along with having my husband gone on a work trip did not make for high expectations for the big day. Yet two things made the morning extra special (aside from enjoying just relaxing with the kids): I got two very thoughtful and generous packages from two very dear friends that live far away. They made me feel incredibly special and loved. And yes, my first thought was a bit of guilt: "I didn't do anything this nice for her!" But I was mainly humbled and inspired by their generosity. I'm so thankful for the way God uses people in our lives to remind us that we are loved.
And now I just have to show off the two amazing dresses that my friend Elizabeth made HERSELF for Lauren and her new baby sister to wear together: (lacking all crafting skills, I am beyond impressed)
