Happy Birthday to me...

This weekend I turned 29...can you believe it? If you ask my students down here they think I look like I'm in my early 20's, but act like I'm in my early teens (nice, huh?). My birthday was great! The festivities started on Thursday and lasted the whole weekend (Sunday was my real birthday). Thursday I received a beautiful bouquet of daisies (my favorite) from my mom and dad. They had them sent to my office at the church. Then the Junior High Staff did a mini-party for me with cake, a gift and a card...super sweet! The next day I received 3 cards and 2 packages in the mail from friends and family. Friday afternoon we took off and Dori, Morgan and I drove down to her aunt and uncle's 215-acre ranch, just east of Austin. It was so nice being in the country; a great escape from city life. We rode 4-wheelers, pet their animals (dogs, cats, horses, chickens, goats and cows), explored their land, ate the best BBQ I've had in my life at a small country spot in downtown Lexington, went to a cattle auction (super cool), hung out with the family, went to their little Baptist church on Sunday-complete with potluck for Mother's Day, and on and on. We got back into Dallas Sunday evening and had my birthday dinner at Olive Garden. I wrapped up the night opening gifts from friends and talking to my entire family over the phone in Alaska. It was sad to be away from them on Mother's Day and my birthday, but the ranch was a huge blessing. 29th year...here I come!