31st birthday

July 16th was my birthday. I had calls all day from friends and family. They meant so much to me and kept me smiling all day long. Especially the ones from Ava. She was staying at Memaws. She left two songs on my voicemail, a traditional birthday song and the silly one from Madagascar she has sung to everyone for the past two years. They were so cute, I played them over and over. Then when I talked to her, she said, "Mommy, do you have a cake?" I said no. she asked, "do you like chocolate or vanilla?" When I said chocolate she said, "well, Granddaddy said girls don't need to eat chocolate!"

Trey suggested we go out to dinner and a movie, but we had been so busy lately what really sounded fun to me was a quiet night at home with Trey. So he got us a pizza and I rented "King Arthur." Then it came a huge storm, I wasn't expecting it but it was a welcome sight because it hadn't rained for weeks. So we sat out on the deck and watched the thunderstorm and ate our pizza. It was so relaxing. I couldn't think of a better way to spend my birthday. Then Trey gave me my birthday present, reservations for a Carnival Cruise! We haven't had a "real" vacation that wasn't a business trip or close to home since our honeymoon 11 years ago. We've been looking forward to getting to take a vacation for many years and I couldn't be more excited!!