BIRTHDAY BLESSING 1: We had Matt Barrett here visiting for my pre-birthday! How amazing was that! He took a train from Seattle for his high school reunion then swung over to see us! We had a Dinner with Matt Barrett night while he was here. Several people came to spend time with him!

BIRTHDAY BLESSING 2: I woke up to finding these awesome trays assembled in my living room from my amazing hubby! They match the chest of drawers I picked out for Christmas. Fun

BIRTHDAY BLESSING 3: I received SO many wonderful Happy Birthday Messages on my Facebook Wall. I got a ton of wishes and comments. I appreciate them more than you can ever realize!

BIRTHDAY BLESSING 4: On my actual birthday, we didn’t really have plans since fell on a Thursday. Normally, we just go out to eat nearby, but I wanted to do something a little different. So, Wayne took me to the Denver Zoo Gift Shop then to Beau Jo’s for gluten free pizza!

On the way to the zoo, we were pulling out of the driveway when I saw the mail carrier. I asked Wayne to wait for him. It had just occurred to me that I hadn’t gotten even ONE birthday card yet.

I said, “Maybe there will be a birthday card in the mail.” Wayne got out and met the carrier, who only had 2 pieces of junk mail. He got back in the car and I said, “Well, I guess nobody sends out cards anymore. They just post ‘Happy Birthday’ on your Facebook Page!”

He kind of nodded then reached over to his side as he was driving and pulled out a card! I said, “OH!! So you have been snatching the cards and hording them!!” He laughed. So, I read who the card was from and read the card.

Then there was another and another and another!!! What? I kept asking, “More??” He just smiled. Eventually, I said, “This is obscene!!” Finally, I realized they had all gone to our post office box and knew Wayne was behind it! … Oh! And obviously now the whole world knows I turned FIFTY!!

So, I had my first Birthday Card Shower!! When we got home, Wayne counted 80 cards! That is incredible! And I got 7 more today.

Wowee everyone! I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to pick out a card, address it and send it to me! Many of you even added a special message!

I am so honored, humbled and encouraged by your gift of love! I can’t thank you all enough!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

PS) Sorry to send this in a bulk message. Facebook won’t allow me to send or post a lot of messages without shutting me down for spam. I hope I did not miss anyone!

NOTICE: I think I am going to have to file a complaint to the post office. I only found cash in one of the cards (thank you, Sean). If any of you sent a check or gift card, please let the post office know it was lost or stolen and re-send!.… Tee hee, just kidding!

BIRTHDAY BLESSING 5: Safari Stuff! In one of the cards was $50 from my good friend, Sean! So, I had $50 to spend at my very most favorite store at the Denver Zoo! One of the finds was this adorable Junior Zookeeper vest. Those of you who know me well, know I LOVE safari animals, clothes and jewelry. But of course, they only had it in kid sizes. So, just for fun, I put on an XXL and it fit! Yay!! I LOVE it!

On the way home, Wayne handed me a box from his brother and our sister in law. It had cards in it from everyone in the family! Wes, Melanie and all 4 boys! That was SO thoughtful! They had me laughing with sheer joy! It also had a long, incredible, personal from the heart letter from my dear SIL Melanie. It moved me beyond words. She is such an amazing woman who loves the Lord! I am SO blessed to have them in my life!!

When we got home, my sister called to wish me Happy Birthday. She had already sent a gift, but we have a custom of not opening it until the person calls. So, I open it and it is this AMAZING zebra bracelet!! It is silver and full of bling bling … so me!! I told her, “I was just at the zoo store and this is way cuter than anything they had there!!” I asked her where she got it and she said at her nail salon. LOL!! Go figure!! …. But if anyone can sniff out the perfect gift, it is my sister!

Of course, my mom had already ordered this super cute animal print maxi dress, complete with very cool necklace! Very special!

BIRTHDAY BLESSING 6: After the call from my sister, Wayne turned on the stereo and began to play 29 voice messages from friends and family! He evidently had sent out an email about showering me with cards and voice mails. He even had a special voice mail set up so I wouldn’t find the messages.

I felt like I was on the, “This is Your Life” show! I couldn’t believe what people were saying and to hear their voices wishing me happy birthday, encouraging me and sharing their love for me was such an extraordinary, moving gift.

Thank you to ALL who picked up the phone and poured out their hearts to me! I am so taken back and honored beyond words. THANK YOU!!

BIRTHDAY BLESSING 7: Several weeks ago, I had gone to Hobby Lobby (where we seemed to have gotten most of our home safari décor). They had this Lion and Lamb on sale that I have had my eye on for over a year. I looked at the price tag and couldn’t justify it, so I walked out. I told Wayne about it, but NEVER thought he would remember the conversation, let alone go in there and find it on a vague description! But low and behold, when we got home it was sitting in my window! I cried and leaped onto it like a child and began to weep.

Above our fireplace is a large tapestry of a lion and lamb. It says, “I will both lie down in peace and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8.

The lion and the lamb lying down together is actually a juxtaposition of two Scriptures, in Isaiah. It is also a symbol of “The Millennium.”