An honest confession is good for the soul:

There is nothing in me that looks forward to birthdays.

Don’t get me wrong- I’m thankful for every day, but somehow as the candles on my cake create more of a raging fire, I just want to hit pause. These are such good days, and somehow my mind loves to worry that these days are rapidly dwindling.

So we shot through Thanksgiving with a very grateful heart as the sun shone and I ate my nontraditional feast- Sweet Lebanon Bologna sandwich in the bean field and rejoiced. Thank you, God, thank you 💞 Have I mentioned that the rain has had us struggling and how thankful I am for every field successfully harvested?

Black Friday found me taking a flying 800 mile/one day trip to OH as a van driver. My passengers had lunch plans, so I left at 1 am and returned home by 11 pm. The full moon lit our path and I watched in awe as it set over the flat OH plains, and at the same instant the sun peeked over horizon in my rearview mirror. Such a timely Universe 💞

And then began birthday weekend. I am totally blown away. So many of you reached out to me and I feel so loved. Why wasn’t I excited about this day? 🤷🏻‍♀️

My birthday twin and a few girls from church joined us for lunch. They made us wrapping paper dresses. (Notice Colleen even has a scalloped neckline)

My fam had a surprise fondue party for me last night. The guys enjoyed the meat the most (especially after they gave up on cooking it in the broth, and Sherman finished the meat in his smoker) I loved the cheese sauce and of course the chocolate 🙈

This morning as I wander thru the house in the post Birthday daze, everywhere I look I see little reminders of the love I received. I’m so thankful.

My mom often quotes this poem. Such a good reminder.

I will go on, bravely

Doubting not that

Morning shall be fair.

For what is life

If it is spent

In hopeless pursuit

Of nothing

But dreaded passage?

Then let me lift

My daily flask

To my soul’s lips

And drink it calmly

Boldly, Joyously!

And in the drinking

I shall drink with God!

– E. Witmer

Having a birthday over Thanksgiving is the best way to extend the Thanksgiving Season. I have too many blessings to count.

Crazy Blessed,

Kendra

Bonus Pic:

Julia found me a Fisher Price airport to go with an airplane I’d discovered in a thrift store. I’m now accepting story plots for Farmer Stan takes to the friendly skies.