special thank you...

Thank you Jer for my wonderful birthday...I love you...you are the best. ~M

life

I LOVE this picture! When I was pregnant with Zoe and praying for her I prayed that she might live up to the meaning of her name "life." I secretly knew that praying that she be full of life might end up to be one of the most exhausting prayers of my life (he, he). Well, yes... God has a sense of humor.
Seriously, Zoe is living up to her name. She is absolutely full of life. She is also quite the little clown she makes us laugh and fills our home with smiles.
Never in my life have I needed wisdom more and never in my life have I enjoyed something as much as I enjoy being a wife and a mom. It's not easy but then again nothing truly valuable is easy! Thank you Lord for Zoe and the life that she brings!!!!!!!!

Wecome to the late 20's

That was what my friend said on the voicemail she left me for my birthday. It's funny how the older you get the less your age really matters. I know some people get all bent out of shape about aging but I really get excited about it. Each year hopefully marks another year full of growth, change, and a deepening of my walk with the Lord. For sure some years have been a total bust but thankfully our God is the God who redeems lives.
My birthday was SO much fun I just want to write it all down to really solidify the memory. First of all I have to brag on my husband. Everything we did on my birthday took a lot of thought and planning which meant so much more than expensive gifts or fancy dinners. My day was a day spent with my best friend doing what I enjoy most: being outside experiencing creation.
Friday, the day before my birthday, we went to Lake Helen to spend the night so we could get up first thing and hit the river. Jer and his mom went and picked up the kayaks from her friend Dee (thanks again Dee) and I fed Zoe dinner. Once they got back we ate our dinner and then they brought out a cake with candles lit and sang happy birthday. Do you know how cool it was for me to sit with my daughter and watch her eyes light up as she saw a birthday cake for the first time. It is so much fun experiencing the excitement of little things with your child.
After dinner and cake Zoe was off to bed (she looks ready in the picture!) and then a relaxing evening before a big day.
We got up with Zoe at her usual 6:30am wake time and had a sweet wake up time together (one of my favorite things). Zoe loves when her daddy is home in the mornings and we are all three in our bed waking up slow. She sits in between us and "talks" climbing from Jeremy to me until we finally give in and get up!
Once we got Zoe situated with her MiMi, we headed to Starbucks (can't have a birthday without Starbucks!).
We got to Blue Springs State Park about 9:30am, carried the kayaks down to the water and were in by 10. It was BEAUTIFUL. I have really fallen in love with Florida lately. It truly is a beautiful place when seen in it's natural state. Speaking of Florida and natural state...yes, we did see gators, and yes it was a little TOO close for comfort! We headed out on the St. Johns river and went North. After talking to some locals we followed their advice and headed for a lagoon off of the river. As soon as we turned into the lagoon, Jer tells me to look left in a little bit of a nervous tone. Sure enough 20 feet away on the bank of the river, a 5 to 6 foot gator glared at us. As soon as he saw us he turned and got into the water...uh, can we say just a little nerve racking (not to mention there have been 5 attacks in our area in the past 2 months). Yea...we were in raw Florida! We saw 2 more gators after our first encounter which raised our heart rate to say the least. We paddled around out in the St. Johns for about an hour and then headed toward the springs. Wow...what a breathtaking spot. Due to the 72 degree water near the springs the gators can't hang out there so we were much more relaxed and really enjoyed ourselves. The water was crystal clear, all kinds of fish were swimming under our boats, turtles sunned themselves on fallen trees, moss filled oaks hung over the banks creating a canopy over the water. It was truly enjoyable, not to mention kayaks are SO much fun to paddle and maneuver. After we beached our kayaks and loaded them back in the truck. We headed to the spring for a swim. Wow...nothing beats swimming in a crystal clear, cold, fresh water spring. It was awesome. I can't wait to go back!
My day was so special. I am truly grateful. I also felt that the blue sky and perfect weather was a sweet little "I love you" just for me from my Father who had ordained for me to live another year. I felt His presence which is the best present of all.
My sweet husband didn't stop there. We headed back to Helene's to check on and feed Zoe, took showers and went back out to my new favorite restaurant in downtown Deland. We had a blast and ate yummy authentic Mexican food. I just love being with Jer. He and I have so much fun together...thanks Lord for putting us together what a gift.
All in all, I reflect on my birthday with a prayer of gratitude. Thankful for friends and family who showered me with love and reminded me of how extremely blessed I am. Thank you Lord so much for another year...and thank you Lord that you are SO faithful to fullfill your promises to me year after year. I now walk into my "late 20's" with an expectant heart and a sense of security that nomatter what I know WHO holds my future. A truly happy birthday!