Happy Birthday to ME!

My wonderful, thoughtful, creative, incredibly organized daughter gave me a surprise birthday party last Saturday for my big 60.

Here's the specially designed invitation. She scoured pictures for months, finding me at 5, 10, 15....years of age, finishing with a picture of me and my angel boys at 12.

It was so wonderful to see some of my dearest friends. And those long distance friends who couldn't make it, were able to send birthday greetings and pictures to be included in THE most beautiful album I have ever seen.

It was held in the home I grew up in, where my daughter and my angel boys are living now and where I have celebrated everything from birthdays, anniversaries, wedding receptions and lots of church youth group gatherings. The room is mostly unchanged from when my parents lived there so it is full of wonderful memorabilia and made me feel like my parents were so much a part of the party.

The cake, see below, was covered with more pictures of me at all ages with all the people I love. (Stay tuned for pictures of the actual event.)

Also, assisting in this surprise was my son (who bartended) and best friend, Hope (who flew in from CA for the event and to spend a few days with me). Friends helped with all the arrangements of overnight guests, guest lists, parking, childcare and any other way they could help. I felt loved and celebrated which is exactly the way everyone should feel on their birthday.

Since today is my actual birthday, family and a few very close friends are gathering at our favorite Tex-Mex restaurant for yet another celebration but this time we're leaving the work to the service industry. ;-}

It is so wonderful to have family and friends who join in the good and the bad times...but it's the most fun when we celebrate life together!