My MANY Birthday Blessings!!!

WOW, what a birthday! My birthday blessings started out last Wednesday when I ended up getting the minivan that I had been wanting. God orchestrated everything so that Rene could get a GREAT deal on the van! By the way, if you ever need someone to help you get a good deal on a car, Rene is the Man for that! I am in LOVE with my new car and can't wait to use it when we go to the beach this summer.

If my birthday blessings had ended there, I would have been so happy, but Rene had more in store for me! Several weeks ago, I had email my sister Ligia and asked her to come and cut my hair (she is an awesome hairstylist). She replied telling me that she couldn't come until the week after my birthday. I was kind of sad because I wanted my hair done for my birthday, but when you have someone coming to your house, then you take what you can get. Apparently, Rene had already talked to Ligia and asked her to come over. So on Friday afternoon, Ligia came and did my hair (she did an awesome job)! Sounds great right?!? Well, that was just the beginning of Rene's surprizes! He had arranged for me to have a whole day to myself! As he said, "no kids, no bottles, diapers, whinning."He had put together events for me to do with my friends. A HUGE THANKS to my mother-in-law for watching the kiddos for us since Rene was in school all day. I never once worried about them because I knew they were in great hands. What would we do without Abuela??

My day started off by having breakfast at the Original Pancake House (the best breakfast place in town:). When I arrived there I was greeted by my two dear friends from college, Julie and Juliet. We enjoyed a nice long breakfast. We caught up with each other and laughed a lot! At the end of my time with them, Juliet handed me a note that Rene had written telling me what my next event was and where it took place. Here is what his note said:

Corazon,

I hope you enjoyed your breakfast with Juliet and Julie. Now it is time for you to spend some time decompressing and treating yourself to a little something. Head on over to Montgomery Mall and do a little shopping. When you are done at Montgomery Mall, head on back to Barnes and Noble in Rockville (across from the Original Pancake house) and enjoy your favorite Starbucks coffee drink as you thumb through magazines and books. How much time you decide to spend between the two places is up to you, but don’t be late because you have a very impotant lunch date at the Panera in Rockville (located at Federal Plaza in Rockville 1780 E Jefferson Street Rockville, MD 20852) at 12:00 PM for lunch. You’re budget for this stage of day is $25, not including lunch,. I hope you enjoy the morning.

Love,

Rene

I skipped Montgomery Mall since by the time we ended breakfast, it was 10:30 already. I spent the rest of the time at the Barnes and Noble reading up on potty training:) I enjoyed this time a lot. It was so relaxing! Around noon, I headed over to Panera, not knowing who would be there. I was really curious and excited to find out. At Panera, I met up with three of my friends from Church, Jonalee, Kelly and Esther. These three ladies have influenced my life as a wife and mother! They have been great friends who always remind me of God's love, mercies and grace! Rene had asked them to share evidences of grace they had seen in my life this past year, I was humbled by thier comments! Thank you ladies! As before, at the end of our time together, they handed me another note. This is what the note said:

Corazon,

I hope that lunch was a treat and that the ladies helped you see how much the Lord is at work in your life and how much your tender love and care for others is much appreciated and a means of grace. Now its time for you to make a quick pit stop before your next activity, you have one hour before you have to be at Juliet’s house for 2 hours of scrapbooking! So make your way to Michael’s or AC Moore and pick up any supplies you may need to start Izzy’s 2^nd Year scrapbook. Don’t worry about stopping by the house; Juliet already has all your stuff, plus a bag full of Holly’s tools that she so generously allowed you to borrow. You have to be at Juliet’s house by 3:00 PM. You’re budget for this stage is $25.

Once you finish scrapbooking, Juliet will have one final letter detailing where you need to go next.

Enjoy!

Love,

Rene

WOW, not only did I enjoyed time with great friends, but Rene had also arranged for me to spend some time doing what has become my favorite hobby! I enjoyed picking out some embelishment for Izzy's scrapbook and shopping at Micheal's without kids! When I got to Juliet's house, I saw all the supplies that Holly had put together for me. Holly is a SUPER scrapbooker, she is very creative and organize with all her scrapbooking things. Holly was supposed to join us for this part, but she is currently visiting her family down south. Holly, thank you so much for helping Rene out and letting me use your tools! Juliet and I had another great time together talking about lots of different things. At the end of our time, Juliet handed me the last note of the day. This is what it said:

Corazon,

You have reached the end of the day and now you must complete a road block.

A road block is … Just kidding!

I hope you enjoyed your day as much as I enjoyed planning it. But it’s not over; there is one more activity I have planned. This next activity involves spending some time as a couple. Just me and you, no kids! Please join me for dinner at the Outback Steak House in Germantown for a dinner and some chocolate thunder from down under for dessert. Please try to be at the restaurant by 5:30PM.

I can’t wait to have dinner with you and hear about how your day went.

Love,

Rene

I was completely shocked by all that Rene had done for me! Back in the beginning of February, all I had asked him for was a day off, but Rene went above and beyond what I wanted! I am so blessed to have such a great husband who listens to what I want and tries his hardest to deliver. Honey, you have delivered and delivered well! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! I also want to thank my dear friends Julie, Juliet, Holly, Jonalee, Kelly and Esther for helping me celebrate my birthday! I hope you ladies enjoyed our time together!

I am blessed beyond words, thank you Lord!