glenn and i love the month of november...partly because we enjoy the fall season, but mostly because it is the month that we both celebrate our birthdays (one week apart). anyone who knows glenn well knows that he loves to celebrate his birthday. we actually talk about a "birthmonth" around here!
the morning of november 5th, glenn woke up to the smell of chocolate cake. i thought he might like some for breakfast! he couldn't eat too much, though, because his dad and brothers (wendell and galen) treated him to long johns from the doughbox bakery for morning break. glenn spent part of the afternoon working on a masonry job he was asked to do for a neighbor - something he really enjoys doing. then after mattie woke up from her late afternoon nap, we all headed to the china garden restaurant in bryan. glenn had a craving for his favorite general tso's chicken. mattie liked it, too! at the restaurant glenn made a connection with the owner (who cloyce sells produce to from time to time), and we ended up getting our meals for free! after mattie went to bed we watched a movie that glenn had picked out at walmart (gotta love the $5 bin!). throughout the day he got to open a few fun gifts and watch a belated 5-year anniversary gift - a smilebox slideshow that was nearly 30 minutes long! he also received a special card from mattie. :)
i turned 30 this year! i really don't feel very old...just ridiculously blessed. i have an amazing husband, a precious baby girl, a loving family, a job that i enjoy, a warm and cozy home, etc. what have i done to deserve all this?? God is so good, and i am thankful.
one of glenn's main gifts to me was a trip to harrisonburg to reconnect with friends. we dropped off mattie at gramma & grampa's in dalton :), swung through columbus to watch stryker boys run at the state cross-country meet, then headed south to harrisonburg. we had a great time visiting good friends from our college days - jeanine & ry wilson, matt hunsberger, radell schrock, tabitha gingerich, and nicki oswald. we ate dahl saag from the indian-american cafe (my favorite!), and kline's had chocolate peanut-butter ice cream!! it was a fun weekend. i especially enjoyed the car time with my hubby. we read a newberry honor book (a corner of the universe) to each other - we really got into it!
on the day of my birthday the nofziger clan had a small supper party for me. when i walked in the door everyone was dressed in scrubs! i felt right at home! glenn had brought scrubs for us to change into, too. it was a good time, and the food was delicious - swiss steak, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole made-to-order by mom!
my birthday celebration is actually still going on. beginning on november 12th, i started receiving little numbered notes from my husband. it didn't take me long to realize he had come up with 30 reasons why he loves me - so sweet! he knows how much i appreciate reading notes of encouragement - it's one of my love languages. it has been so fun to find these notes in strategic places for the last week. i feel so loved! you are the best, glenn!
mattie wanted to try on the stethoscope
the scrubs gang
good times at kline's dairy bar
my good friend, tabitha
this greenhouse had broccoli, cauliflower and lettuce. the other was full of carrots and red beets.
radell, glenn and matt in front of one of the new greenhouses on radell's farm (seasons bounty)
mattie's first general tso's - happy birthday, daddy!
morning break
eating doughnuts!
