Dear Reader:

Aren’t there some days we feel down deep,  in our soul and spirit, are going to be just plain magical days…a bench mark in our life before it even happens?

That day was Saturday, September 24….Jakie’s and my birthday!

From the moment I walked into the house Saturday morning Mandy and John had outdone themselves decorating and setting up an amazing brunch for an amazing bunch… of family!

“Witches Allowed Who Can Party On!” Thanks Mollie….and see where she is now!

There were so many toys that all the children had plenty to play with….it was everybody’s birthday.

Jakie danced for joy over and over and over….that boy loves to dance…especially for his cousins!

• More photos of the crowd are hopefully coming with different picture-takers….so much going on I missed getting around to everyone.

Part I of the Dynamic Duo Day had come to a close….we got Jakie down for a nap and the rest of us decided to do the same….everyone slept except Eva Cate who watched television and played while the rest of us napped. If I could just zap a little bit of her energy…she’s like the Energizer Bunny!

The babysitter came later….and we were all dressed up with somewhere to go….The Oaks. I can tell you right now it was the best meal I have ever had…or at least had in a long, long time!

*When I spend the night with Eva Cate we always hold hands going to sleep. Saturday night or early Sunday morning I went to get up to go to the restroom….and out of the corner of my eyes I saw Eva Cate sit up too. I thought she was awake and asked her if she needed to use the restroom too…but she just flopped back down, sound asleep, and I felt our hands release. We were still holding hands at 2 something in the morning. Love holding hands while falling asleep!

When I got home yesterday around lunchtime I started putting cards and some of my gifts up around the room when Lassie and Steve dropped by with some Fall mums for me. I think that is when it hit me again….my sign that stands at the end of my bedroom hall: This birthday has far surpassed anything I could have dreamed about….but the best part was sharing it with loved ones.

This last card was an original oil painting from Joan Turner…so talented! She also gave me a beautiful organic necklace, the cross on the table (photo above) and another lowcountry framed scene. Unbelievable! The talents in our family just blow me away…everyone has their creative side which always delights me to see.

I can never thank all of you enough for the cards of encouragement these past few weeks and then turning other ones into birthday cards, food, flowers, seeds, paintings, and so many meaningful gifts and surcies.

I was blown away by the Facebook “Happy Birthdays”…I responded to some early Saturday morning before I left but it grew so overwhelming during my birthday Saturday….last count over 200 Happy Birthday’s… it will take me awhile just to scroll through them…but just let me tell you that all of it filled my heart to overflowing.

So until tomorrow I know God loves me everyday….and this goes for You and You and You! Never forget it. God loves all His children and if we keep in tune with God we witness it every day!