MY SPECIAL DAY

My day started with lots of hugs and kisses from my beautiful little boy, which is always such a fantastic start to my day and as I have said before how can you not have a good day with a start like that. The love shown from a child full of innocence and trust compares to nothing else on this earth. And it gets better, you see Nanny, Ba and Jordan had been keeping a little secret from mummy......

not sure when and how this was all organised and how the secret was kept so well but they are beautiful - Thankyou Jordan and of course Nanny who organised it I am sure.

After receiving a lovely card and much appreciated money to spend on whatever I like from Mum and Dad, I logged onto the computer to see birthday wishes from Paul. As per Paul's unique style of writing, I start to get all emotional and then end up in tears from laughter!! Jordan was at School today so Paul and I actually got to have a "real" conversation uninterrupted which was so nice and was the best birthday present. I enjoyed a very relaxed morning being spoilt but it was time to get on with organising our trip. Yesterday Paul and I decided to bring our trip to America forward so Jordan and I will be flying out to LA on the 18th March which is in 4 weeks time - wow!! Mum just happened to read an email from Qantas today saying they were having a sale - well that chance reading of an email has saved us 1/2 the cost of our airfares. With only 2 days to go, the sale is for 1 Adult Fare and 1 Child travels free which is perfect for us and the sales just happened to include the exact fares I was looking at to LA - thankyou, thankyou, thankyou!! With our airfares booked, I now have to get onto those passports applications. I know it is going to be tight but they will be ready in time....

I am sooooo excited. We are going to hire a motorhome and travel from LA up to Vancouver, back down to Salt Lake City, then east to Denver, Toronto, finishing in New York. This is a picture of what we are thinking of living in for the month whilst over there. I am very very excited and although I will certainly enjoy traveling through America and Canada as I haven't really seen that part of the world, I am actually more excited about us having the opportunity to do this as a family and being together again.

Tonight instead of going out for dinner, I chose to have Calamari and Salad at home enjoying a relaxed evening with Jordan and my parents then came along another well kept surprise - the birthday cake and yes it was Chocolate Cake !! (how did Daddy know that I wonder, was he in on the secret too.....)

Although today was tinged with a little sadness at not being able to share it in person with Paul, my wonderful family and friends with all your love and birthday wishes have helped to make today a special day despite Paul not being here, so thankyou to each and every one of you.

An extra special thankyou goes to my mum and dad, especially mum who always thinks of the little things to make birthdays (and Christmas) just that little bit extra special. I am very blessed to have such a wonderful family who enjoys getting together for family gatherings and to have fantastic friends like I do.