thirty-one candles

it's funny how much smaller our birthday celebrations get as the number of candles on our cake grows. you would think it would be the other way around? more candles = more cake and therefore a larger crowd to eat aforementioned cake. but alas, it isn't so. when you turn nine you want exactly nine candles on your cake - no more, no less. when you turn 31 you don't even want candles...or cake for that matter.

deep inside of all of us lies that inner child who is so excited to unwrap the package that you nearly forget to even glance at the card before ripping open the paper. you just quickly see who it's from and then toss it to a nearby adult to actually read it.

this present required a little less glamorous wrapping. the other 1/2 was decked out. I promise!

birthdays are special. it doesn't matter what age you are (or wish you were). each year that goes by signifies more - more lessons learned, more precious time spent with loved ones, more memories.

so happy birthday to a devoted dad, amazing husband, and the best friend a girl could ever dream of. I love you.

speaking of birthdays...we've got some pretty exciting things in store at our house. here's a sneak peak: