another banner year - 31!

Last Friday my boys served me breakfast in bed as a precursor to a lovely birthday. Micah jumped right up next to me and proceeded to eat half my breakfast. Rick must have predicted this as he had extra large portions available.

 

After such delicious service, we took off on an adventure. Those who know me best know that the best gifts are "adventures" and "words of affirmation". So, we headed out the door in pursuit of the Belgrade Forest - a beautiful forest outside of Istanbul that we have only previously been to by friends' car. After a bus ride, a subway ride, and a taxi ride, we arrived at the entrance...only to discover that the walking trail inside the forest was a 2.5K walk from the entrance...a factor not necessarily anticipated by those who have only been there by private car. Anyway, we had a lovely walk through the woods. Micah was excited (mostly) to run free and I enjoyed the exercise. The leaves are not yet changing here, so we will have to go back in a couple weeks. We saw the start of the walking trail, but decided a 2 year old and a pregnant lady could only handle so many miles in a day. On our way to the exit, we were escorted by two street dogs that Rick named Limpy and Skinny. They kept Micah entertained, which is the important part...as nap hour approached.

On our way home, we stopped at a mall to enjoy some McDonalds...another posting to come...and then headed home.  Some family bonding time, and the best gift of all...to bed at 7:30. I slept 12 hours! I've since discovered that was the first night of a cold, but thankfully I only felt tired that night and not the itchy, sneezy, ickies of oncoming days. All in all, a great birthday with the fam. Thanks to all who called or sent cards or e-mails. I got warm fuzzies all over! :)