Visual Journal: Thirty Eight

Sunday was my thirty-eighth birthday. We had a great day.

I started the day with yogurt with home-made granola and fresh coffee in the beautiful mug that Sarah gave me for my birthday last year. I made the granola the night before using my mom's most excellent recipe. It's so quick and easy and it makes so much! Plus, it's delicious!

The kids (and Jeff) gave me presents before we left for church -- so I could put them on right away!

Beautiful swirly, silver pendant, earrings and bracelet! (Not a great picture... but you get the idea.)

It was cold yesterday -- and all week, in fact. Here is the fountain at church covered in ice. Quite lovely, actually.

We had a great Sunday School class. I "teach" the kindergartners and first graders. We are "studying" what Jesus' life might have been like when he was a child. We made scrolls this week.

After church, we went to Corner Bakery for lunch. Delish. I really love Corner Bakery. I used to be a big fan of Panera, but Corner Bakery is so much better. I had the Chicken Pomodori and the Creamy Zesty Corn Chowder. Jeff ate that pickle. Yuck. I don't like pickles.

The kids had a scrambler sandwich with bacon. Mmmmmm bacon.

Earlier in the week, I had been trying to think of a fun activity that we could all do together on my birthday. Something different. Something that would be fun for both the kids and the adults. Something inside -- it's cold, remember?

I came up with the idea of painting coffee mugs. I love the idea of having a set of coffee mugs that all "match" made by each of us.

Here is Benjamin at work. Gosh, he's so cute, isn't he?

And here are Jeff and Claire at work. Very serious, but also super cute!

It was fun... relaxed, creative, togetherness.

And the fun does not end there...

Then we went to a hibachi-style restaurant for dinner. Yum. And really, I never get tired of seeing a guy make a volcano out of an onion.

Gosh... those kids are getting too big to be sitting on our laps.

Claire loves sushi. Very serious with the chopsticks here.

And a little scoop of ice cream along with the traditional singing of "Happy Birthday!"

But that's not enough ice cream for this family!

We stopped by Marble Slab Creamery on the way home. We all took a few bites, but most of these delicious concoctions went into the freezer at home to enjoy later.

We all watched the finale of The Amazing Race and dreamed about taking a family vacation to Alaska.

And then I curled up at the end of the day with the book I'm reading and felt richly blessed by my family and our life together.

Thirty eight is all good.