the next chapter

If life is a book then I just ended a chapter, a chapter featuring titles like:

done with diapers - beginning of SPT - weekly projects
finding myself at a photography workshop - a library at home
Letting go (fears) - getting my body back (surgery) - the crazy lady
traveling to Europe with one outfit - the five we are and will always be
making new friends- meeting bloggers - Doing - new music
first 9 paintings (1491 to go) - a new studio - booked Tuesday nights
finding a love for literature - 83000 hits - falling more in love
enjoying it all while the world spins madly on

And since endings always bring with it beginnings, today I celebrate the beginning of another chapter of my life. I can't wait to live it and watch what will unfold and the moments it will feature...because with life all things are possible when you're willing to live fully.


So today I publish this post, not for you, but for me. So when the bad days come, and they will, I can remind myself just how much I am loved.

I woke up to find this waiting for me from my Adam


these 3 waiting to say happy birthday


a beautifully wrapped gift from my friend Crystalyn waiting at the door for me (a book and chocolates not pictured)


calls from
my mom and dad (separately)
Kathy (my mother-in-law)
Jeni, my sister, and her kids singing Happy Birthday
Jill
Robyn
Grandma Dot

Texts from
Adam
Crystalyn

Lunch with my Mom, Megan and Tess

a Saturday night of celebrations

photo by robyn

cake & ice cream (thanks for the cake Lori)
games (I think Robyn had just won in that photo. By the looks of Adam's disgust she killed us. Me I'm in the scum spot loosing...hard)
gifts (thanks for all the books Jill and Lori)
Thanks for the awesome evening!

In the mail

Cards from
Dani (sorry card isn't featured it's in my bag and my bag is lost at the moment)
Michelle (darling ice-cream cone card)
Kristi (she managed to send the biggest card I'd ever received),
Natasha (included a book of stamps),
Amie (included yummy candy cane suckers),
Kathy and Tom (included $ to go shopping :))


Jill (included handmade cards and a list of 32 reason why she loves me...she made me cry)


A hand delivered frame a few weeks ago from Lara. Love it and wish I could have actually seen you.

A delicious cake from my Neighbor Ann and flowers from the YW presidency.

Also my friends Dani, Tiffanie, Tami and Amber who took me to dinner last Thursday night. I had a blast just spending the night eating good food and chatting.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you to everyone for taking your time to make this day special for me. I appreciate your calls, cards, gifts, and words. You seriously made my day a memorable one...One I know I will visit frequently and never forget.

Bye Bye 31. Hello 32!