Happy birthday to me

Today is my 50th birthday!

That's right, I'm half a century old.

And what happened on my birthday? My girls left! They flew down to California to visit my parents and three brothers.

Our day started at 4:45 am this morning when I hauled everyone out of bed. The girls were so excited (flying is a rare thing; they haven't been on a plane in six years) they could hardly sit still. And this time they would be flying by themselves, too.

We got on the road by 5:15 am, with the soundtrack to Riverdance blasting on the truck speakers to keep us alert. It takes an hour and a half to make the airport, and their flight departed at 8 am.

They flew Southwest.

We had shipped a box of clothes ahead of time, so the kids just had backpacks with books, a lunch (well, breakfast), etc.

They arrived safely in California, where my parents met them at the airport.  My brothers have all kinds of fun things planned over the next ten days.  More importantly, it's a chance for them to connect with their uncles and cousins, whom they seldom have a chance to see.

Up, up and away! Their first solo slight.

Interestingly, Don also had to be away today, so I had a rare day alone. While this might sound like a dire and depressing way to spend one's fiftieth birthday, solitude is such an unusual commodity that I rather enjoyed it. (And for those who wonder what I did, I spent the day cleaning the house. Oooh, the excitement never ends!)

In the evening some neighbors brought over a piece of pistachio pudding birthday pie and wished me happiness. Thanks!

Some people might feel sorrow upon reaching such a milestone, but I'm very content with where I am in my life. I have a phenomenal husband, two delightful daughters, we all have our health, we have our farm and our home business... yes, God is good and I'm grateful beyond words for these first fifty years He's granted me.