32 and Thankful

Normally I dread seeing the first week of December roll around because it means one thing.....it's time for me to turn another year older.  When I was younger it seemed like this day couldn't come fast enough and I looked forward to my big day all year long.  What changed?  I guess somewhere along the way I started realizing how quickly time was passing and though there is not a single thing I can do about it, I wish with all my might I could stop the clock and slow time down.  Another year older means one year closer to the end of this life.  That probably sounds like a morbid way to view it, but isn't that fundamentally why we all dread getting older, right?  That, along with all of the unpleasant things that come with getting older like failing health, aches and pains, etc.  At 32 I have plenty of that already!  

This year however, I didn't dread the day so much.  This year I was thankful to be celebrating another year of this incredible life I've been given.  Eleven weeks ago as I was being wheeled into a cold, sterile operating room full of masked surgeons I remember thinking "I wonder if I will live to see another birthday?"  I have no idea why those were some of my final thoughts but they were.  I just remember wondering if I would actually wake up from the surgery.  When I awoke, my parents said that I cried.  They asked me why I was crying and I simply replied "I woke up.  I'm just so happy that I woke up."  I don't remember any of this, but it makes me teary to even hear them speak of it.  

Ironically, I spent the morning of my birthday with one of my favorite people in the entire world, my surgeon Dr. Gorden.  Yep, that's right.  Only Ashleigh-Anne would somehow accidentally schedule a follow up appointment with her liver team on her birthday.  It only seems appropriate, though, that I would spend my day at Vanderbilt, where my "second" birthday took place.  It's where my new life began.  I may have been physically born on December 3rd, but September 16th is when I was given my new lease on life.  The body that I was born with has failed me but thanks to my donor and my fantastic surgeon (and the good Lord!) I am able to start over.  There is not a day that goes by that I don't realize how blessed I am to even be here, living this life that I don't even deserve.  

Backing up a little, over Thanksgiving weekend my family celebrated my birthday a little early since we were all together.  We had dinner at my favorite restaurant in Thomasville, Georgia (Jonah's) and then went back to my in-laws' house for a surprise celebration that made me smile big!

Wyatt waited patiently for dinner.............

Two of the sweetest men I know--My husband and my father-in-law

Back at my in-laws' house I walked in to a My Little Pony WONDERLAND!  Kyndall had picked out all of the decorations for my party and of course it was MLP all the way since that's her LIFE these days!

She even set the table!  She was so proud of her creation!

Showing me all of the details....

Even the candles were MLP!

And of course the cake too

Forgot to mention that this night also just happened to be the night of the Florida State vs. Florida game, so the men were a bit preoccupied!

Kyndall's face....

My gift from Kyndall was the best......

She made it!  It's a snow globe with Pinky Pie!  (Pinky Pie is one of the ponies and she calls me Pinky Pie since I love pink)  It was very special!

Matthew went shopping at my FAVORITE store, DDP!  DDP = Monogram Heaven!

Wy Wy wasn't too impressed with my monogrammed goodies

My other favorite---Hobby Lobby!  Thanks Wyatt!

And a gift card to DDP!

Excited about this next gift from my in-laws.......

I've always been a hot natured person.  When everyone else is freezing, I'm sweating.  I don't know if my donor was an Eskimo or what but ever since transplant I am constantly FREEZING.  I shake all the time and can never seem to get warm.  A few weeks ago while my mother-in-law was at my house she saw me walking around wrapped up in a blanket, dragging it through the house.  She asked me where my robe was and I told her I've never had one.  So, this was the perfect birthday gift! And it was monogrammed---even better!

My greatest gift of all!

I am so undeserving of this......

As I said, my actual birthday was spent in Nashville getting a CT scan, talking with my liver team (love them!) and having labs drawn.  Once all that icky stuff was over with we made a day of it and spent the afternoon enjoying Nashville.

First, we had a late lunch at the Rainforest Cafe.  Kyndall had never been and as we expected, she loved it!

Happy birthday to MEEE!

Silly.....

Kyndall had some gift cards to Build-A-Bear that she's been patiently holding onto since her birthday in September.  So, after lunch we were off to make an over priced stuffed animal.....

Picking out the clothes.  This is where they KILL you!  Of course she needs a dress and bows and shoes and roller skates and a leash....

Meet Clarice.  Weirdest thing I've ever seen but she loves her.

And for just $80 she's now ours!  Yes, I said 80!

Next we were off to find some FREE entertainment so we went over to Bass Pro Shop to see Santa and have Kyndall's picture taken with him

Matthew would rather be looking at the guns.....

They had all kinds of toys set up for kids to play with while they waited in line to see Santa.  Of course Matthew made a bee line to this one......

Daddy's little deer slayer.....NOT

We ended the night with a long drive home to Jackson and a late bedtime.  Kyndall insisted on playing with Clarice before calling it a night.....

An $80 reindeer on a leash.  I'm still shaking my head.  And it was MY birthday!  Oh well, if it makes her happy it makes me happy!

It was a great birthday and one I won't soon forget.  I am thankful to see 32 and I plan on making up for lost time over this next year.  I hope to mark a couple things off my "bucket list" as well as just focusing on what's REALLY most important in life and getting my priorities in order.  Life is precious and sweet and I hope to never take it for granted as I once did!

Bring it on, 32!