Birthday Gifts

 A few days before my birthday was an early gift of coffee and Jesus on the balcony with Toby!

 Another gift the day before my birthday was clouds! Clouds are what make beautiful sunsets. We have very few of these! I know these clouds were for me!

 going....

 going...

 GONE! Another gift was the coolness in the air. I never knew that 98 degrees was cool, but it really is compared to 120.  We have enjoyed amazingly cool mornings and evenings. I will just go ahead and say thank you to God again for my view! I am so thankful! He knows my heart so well and loves to delight me with his beauty!

 Cookies are my love language....along with friends who deliver them in XXXL form!

 I am so thankful to have Rachael to walk with me in this next season of life. She is all the great things that I want more of in my life including, but not limited to: spontaneous fun, amazing musical talent, thankfulness, worshipper, shabby chic decorator, pursuer of the Father's heart, desire to bring Light to everyone she meets.

 Photo courtesy of: the lovely talented, but still slightly short Addy!

 The guys having another serious conversation! But I am also thankful for Ben and his influence in Tim's life, my kids' lives and my life! This next year is going to be amazing! Ben challenges us to think more, to look beneath the surface, to see around obstacles and never to give up!

 Also thankful for the gift of Rachael in Annie's life so that she has another "girlfriend" in her life, especially one who loves her so well, understands her heart and gently brings out more beauty.

 I am thankful for the gift of little things like my eyes. I am thankful that I can see color. I love watching these flowers open up each morning to the sun, but then close up before the scorching heat zaps all their energy. This bees legs were covered in pollen as he buzzed from flower to flower. They store their water in chunky-looking leaves that may not be super elegant, but provide so much protection. These flowers accidentally snuck along in a pot of dirt from our old house. I didn't even know they were in the dirt. They surprised me! I want to learn how to open up and let the light in, but not get burned and how to store up "water" even if it doesn't look elegant. I want to be able to share what I have with passersby without letting them take it all and also receive what they have to give. It's gonna be a great year! I have got a lot of gifts that I can use and enjoy!