Truly Blessed....

so...I celebrated my 48th trip around the sun...

and it doesn't matter one bit if anyone knows my age.

i'm just happy to be living this life:)

and i had an AMAZING birthday!

my family is so special.

they really thought about this one, that's for sure!

at the hospital where my husband works,

they have something called 

"The Garden of Hope and Courage".

it's so pretty and peaceful...

a place to remember or honor special people

and also a calming retreat for patients, visitors or anyone in the community

who wants to enjoy this special place.

WELL, we were going downtown to my favorite little italian

place (for WHITE pizza...YUM)

and we had to meet my husband at the garden.

there he was, sitting on a bench...

he invited me over, scooted to make room for me...

 and then I saw the plaque!

They had donated money to the hospital garden in MY name

and bought me my very own bench!

 can you believe that? 

and did I mention that this garden sits right outside the window area where

i would go should I have a relapse for MS and need IV treatments?

oh my gosh...how special is that!
when it cools off around here, I can't wait to go sit on MY bench:)
see...i'm blessed for sure with this family of mine.

but wait...it's not over.

after our DELICIOUS birthday dinner,

we went home to cake.

My girls made MINI CAKES for me!

 You simply clean out a few cans (from canned peaches, tomatoes...)

and bake the cakes in the cans...

VOILA...mini cakes!

We had vanilla, german chocolate and red velvet!

then...MORE gifts...and treats...

i got yummy candles, pj's, books...to name a few...

and more BIG surprises!

Gift #1...a cowboy hat because the girls knew I always wanted one.

Sweet:)

Gift #2...a cowboy type bling belt...

Cute:)

Gift #3...VIP tickets to see Rascal Flatts in concert the next weekend

in W. Palm Beach, our old stomping grounds.

OMG...are you kidding?  

they're one of my favorites.

so off we went, us three girls in our cowboy hats...

to our first "country" concert.

  and we ALL loved it, including my husband:)

then we went to our old church the next morning which I doubt

I'll ever stop missing, so that was like an added bonus.

we had so much fun and you know what?

i was reminded of how cool it is to give and receive gifts that someone

really took the time to think about, plan and surprise someone with.

i often forget that and just head to the mall but no more!

from now on, I will be a CREATIVE gift giver:)

to my family...thank you so much.

I LOVE YOU!!!