Today is my birthday and it's been a fabulous one. We've been celebrating since Sunday night when my sweetheart came home after working 12 hours, got ready and swept me off to Charlotte for the night and a full day of shopping and browsing all day Monday at Concord Mills. We stayed Sunday night at the Courtyard by Marriott (highly recommend--it was so nice!!!) and had a great time all day Monday. He is such a great buddy to shop with and is so complimentary about everything! I really feel like such a princess to have a such a wonderful husband who is also my best buddy. He was too funny, though, because Derek called him just before we checked out of the hotel and he told Derek about our plans and that we were headed to the Bass Pro Shop. Of course they were lining up a hunting trip for next weekend and Joey said, "I know, Derek, I told my sweetheart I'd get her anything she wanted for her birthday as long as it came from the Bass Pro Shop!" laughing the whole time. He is so much fun! We talked and laughed the entire day and he bought me some new beautiful silver earrings for my birthday. (not from Bass Pro Shop -- ha!) 
We got home around 10 PM last night and had fun catching up with Addison and Chloe when we came in. Then I had the day off today and Joey had the morning off before beginning night shift tonight so we enjoyed another wonderful day together. We went up to the hunting club so Joey could check and bait his stands and it felt so good riding the 4-wheeler in the crisp air in the woods.
It definitely felt like autumn this morning and I just love it! We later enjoyed a fun lunch date before Joey got a nap and Addison and I escaped to the store for some groceries. She and I had enjoyed our time together shopping and making some menu choices for the next week or so. She was especially interested in the pork knuckles and gizzards in the meat section at the commissary!!! Ha! Just kidding! (We were both a little grossed out even when a patron was telling us how she'd prepare them and all -- ewwwww, yuck!!!)
It definitely felt like autumn this morning and I just love it! We later enjoyed a fun lunch date before Joey got a nap and Addison and I escaped to the store for some groceries. She and I had enjoyed our time together shopping and making some menu choices for the next week or so. She was especially interested in the pork knuckles and gizzards in the meat section at the commissary!!! Ha! Just kidding! (We were both a little grossed out even when a patron was telling us how she'd prepare them and all -- ewwwww, yuck!!!) Tonight some of the family met us at San Jose' for dinner which seems to be the traditional birthday place and it was great. Mom made a homemade caramel cake for my birthday and it was enjoyed by all present!!! Thanks, Mom, you're the best.
I truly have been so blessed by such a wonderful family. My parents are healthy and happy and enjoy our family so much. My sister is a jewel and is so good to so many and is such an example for me. My nieces and nephews are awesome - Ginger and Jenny are so precious and Brandon, well, he's my oldest and funnest nephew and I feel like I sorta grew up with Brandon and Ginger even though I'm much older in years than them they are so important in my life. I guess you could say they are more like my little sister and brother than niece and nephew...I love them so. Now with Ginger and Shaun having 3 little boys it is so fun and those boys keep us all young! They are so fun to be around. My children are so dear to me and I am so proud of them and their accomplishments. Erika and Jack gave me the best gift of all just over a week ago when they announced they are expecting a baby in May and I just about fainted. I'm still in shock I think and so VERY EXCITED and happy!!! Joey and I are going to be grandparents!!! (Wow, Joey says he did pretty good to get married and then a month later find out he's going to be a grandpa!) I love my sweet husband and our family more than words can ever express and I am so thankful for their love and support and what they mean to me.
I'm truly 39+ and holding tight -- actually in all honesty I'm 42 today, but it's only a number and I'm very proud of the accomplishments I've seen in my life of only 42 years. I hope next 50 are just as good. Thanks to all for the phone calls and the sweet cards - it's been a beautiful 3 days!
You have so many talents and you touch the lives of so many every day with the things you do and say. I am so grateful to be your aunt and so thankful to be your friend. Hope this year will the best yet! We had fun celebrating with you at Grandmother's yesterday and the boys were too cute about the cake! Love you bunches!!!