35 Things I Loved About Today.

1. Getting to sleep in a little bit (we played hookie from church today)

2. My kids waking me up by running into our room and shouting, "Mommy, wake up, it's time for your birthday!"

3. The hot cup of spicy, creamy Chai that my husband went to get me from Beaner's (and he got it right....non-fat, no-whip)

4. A sweet hand-drawn card from my daughter

5. A Snoopy card from my son....he wrote his signature "H" in it all by himself, with a little help from Daddy on the other letters

6. A double 40%-off coupon from Michaels in the paper (!)

7. A leisurely drive through the gorgeous West Michigan countryside

8. A trip to Hoffmaster State Park beach for the day

8. A yummy Subway club sandwich eaten picnic-style for lunch with my family

9. The warm sun on my bare skin

10. Splashing in the water at the Lake Michigan beach with my kids and husband

11. Building sandcastles

12. A gorgeous 80-degree day, the perfect beach weather

13. Tanned cheeks and shoulders for all of us

14. Watching my kids enjoy the lakeshore

15. Resting on my pink beach chair with my bare toes buried in the sand

16. Cold Frescas in the cooler

17, Stopping at Butch's Beach Burritos for a Mexican dinner before heading home

18. Driving through our old town, Spring Lake, and seeing our old church, stomping grounds, etc....always will feel a little bit like home.

19. Air-conditioning in the car

20. Stopping for a bite of chocolate on the way home

21. My sweet son falling sound asleep within minutes into the drive home...so tuckered out.

22. A Happy Birthday phone message from my little sister

23. A Happy Birthday phone call from my mom and dad

24. A Happy Birthday phone call from my other little sister

25. Welcome-home kisses from Ruby-Roo

26. A carrot Birthday Cake (my favorite) complete with the 3-5 candles

27. My husband's joke that we can save the candles for my 5-3 birthday.....believe me, he'll be there LONG before I will!

28. The sweet taste of cream cheese frosting

29. Blowing out the candles with help from my kids

30. A Happy Birthday hug and kiss from my husband

31. A new 10.3 megapixel camera from my husband.....Thanks, Honey. You're the very best.

32. A beautiful card from my huband with so many loving endearments.

33. My husband popping me a bag of popcorn to watch TV tonight.

34. Watching my son play pirate dress-up and enjoy some of the birthday gifts he received a few weeks back.

35. That turning 35 has been an awesome experience....so far! I did realize this week as I was filling out a restaurant survey that I now have to classify myself in the "35-44" age bracket as opposed to the "25-34".....sounds a bit too close to middle age for me!