30

Michael was greeted by this blankie monster Saturday morning. . . Elliot was growling under at him while peeping through the little holes. {what made me smile even more is that Michael thought to get the camera and capture this moment}!

YES, I made myself a birthday cake...

not just any cake, mind you! It is a four layer homemade chocolate mocha cake with homemade mocha fudge frosting. There is so much butta, cream cheese, cocoa and goodness in this cake that my friend Annie told me it better last me till I turn 31.

{can't wait to share it with you Annie!}

my sweet baby E is sick...poor thing has slept less than 4 hours since last night...

chocolately*goodness

my sweet thoughtful and creative husband surprised me and wisked me away for the evening last night to celebrate my getting old...we had a wonderful time {just the two of us}enjoying great authentic Italian food & maggie moos ice cream!

I Love You, Michael...

Thankful for so much as I reflect on 30 years.

First and foremost, I praise God, my Savior and Lord for His amazing grace and mercy shown to me in bringing me to the cross of Christ. I am justified through His blood and I love my Redeemer. He took my sins, my guilt and shame and covered them with His precious blood. Such love cannot be forgotten. My contentment is complete at the cross of Christ...His mercies are all around me, even through the hard times. His goodness to me through His grace at the cross keeps my heart broken, yet driven to love, obey and serve Him more and more each day. I can honestly say that GOD IS GOOD. He is ALWAYS good and I live to glorify Him and share His goodness with others.

IF all I have is the cross of Christ, then I have what I need and more than I deserve. The rest is the icing on the cake. God has given me a loving husband and three beautiful children, family and friends who love and pray for me...

My heart is full.

Thirty will be a good year. The best one yet.