On Top of the World…

Birthday Bouquet 
Today is my 28th birthday {December 15th}…and even though I don't feel any older…so much has happened in this past year that I know I am a different person than I was. I have been truly blessed by so many experiences this year…including…

new friendships {with many of you!}…

features in magazines and websites that I never thought possible…

exploring new creative avenues with sewing and photography…

enjoying time with my family and watching my younger siblings grow…

finding a church that Josh and I can now call home…and developing relationships there…

and another year of growing together in love with my husband…

Truly a remarkable year.

I awoke this morning to find a bouquet of white flowers waiting for me…

Birthday Bouquet 2 
I put them in one of the many birthday gifts from my mother…the white pitcher above…

Birthday Bouquet 3 
There was also my favorite cranberry scone waiting as well…so I made myself some tea this morning {sent to me from dear Tracie} to enjoy with it…

Birthday Tea and Scone

Birthday Scone 
 Josh blessed me with many other gifts in the past few days {he can't hold out until the day apparently ;)}…

One of the major gifts that I am still marveled by…

New Laptop 
a new laptop computer. He thought I could "blog and stuff" on the couch 😉 Isn't that sweet?

My only birthday request was to have my very own pair of St Joshua earrings {every time he makes a pair of these I want them and get sad when they sell}. He gave them to me today…the last ones he could make…and the best he said…

Earrings from St Joshua 
I completely agree.

Last night when Josh went to get the mail, he brought in some other birthday surprises…including a sweet package from Tracie

Gifts from Tracie 
She sent me some French gifts…including candy, a beautiful postcard and an enamel tag….I LOVE it all!

Gifts from Tracie 2

Then we went to my dad and step-mother's house for an early birthday dinner, where I was greeted at the door by a very excited Destiney, waiting to give me her "really big" gift…

Excited Destiney 
It was a folded and taped bit of white paper…that she said was the biggest gift I would receive…and I would never get anything else like it

Birthday Card from Destiney 2 
It was a $1,000 dollars! Can you believe it? I surely have never gotten anything that big before 😉

There was also a sweet card she made for me…

Birthday Card from Destiney 
It has a road with cars driving on it and they are going past huge road signs that say 'Happy Birthday'…sounded like a good idea to me…

From my dad and step-mother I received a beautiful tin of European chocolates…yummm…and a framed photograph of my brothers and sister.

My brother Jaron, who is 13, also made me a card…

Birthday Card from Jaron 
after I opened it Destiney said, "Look, you're on top of the world!"…

Birthday Card from Jaron 2 
and she is right.

I do feel like I am on top of the world with all of the love I have received not only for my birthday…but everyday of my life…

I hope that you too are surrounded by love today, and I wish you all a beautiful holiday season filled with family, friends, generosity, and  lasting memories…

Till next time…

Alicew

41 Comments

  • paige

    happy birthday!!
    you totally scored!!
    your blog is simply delightful. i posted a link to your fabulous shop today on my blog
    merry christmas!

  • Rose

    Happy Birthday Alice!!! 28…my stars your still a bebe! 🙂 My usual birthday wish for those that I care for is that you have a beautiful birthday filled with the love of family and good friends! Amor you have that in spades! Have a beautiful one regardless! Besos, Rose

  • Julie Marie Vicknair

    Oh Alice, Happy Birthday to you sweet friend! I wish Renoir would have told me in his last email! I can see why you are “on top of the world” today… Your flowers from Josh are beautiful and the pitcher from your mom is exquisite! The cranberry scone and tea look like a yummy birthday treat… A laptop for you is so exciting! And your earrings by Saint Joshua are stunning! Destiny is adorable, a little mini~you! How sweet of her to make you a card and give you $1000! And such a cute card from Jaron too… European chocolates sound delish! Hope all your birthday wishes come true! Love to you… Bisous… Julie Marie Kisses Renoir!

  • Tara

    Happy birthday Alice, it sounds like you are on top of the world and you deserve it! Congrats on a wonderful year and cheers to many more!

  • Queen Bee

    This is my fist visit to your blog…2 things…HAPPY BIRTHDAY – wishing for you that the rest of your day is filled with special moments like the ones you have already had…2nd My heart skipped a beat when I saw your blog…inspiring and beautiful…I will be back! SMILES! Denise 🙂

  • Queenmothermamaw

    Dear sweet Alice, 28 is such a tender sweet age to be. You are so blessed to have so much love in your life and to recognize it. That is the secret to know and to bear witness to all the gifts you have. Some great gifts. Sounds like you have a great man. Blessings
    QMM

  • Shell

    Happy Birthday, Alice. You got such sweet gifts from your family. Enjoy your new year and I hope it brings to you greater success and happiness.

  • June

    Alice, it looks and sounds like the perfect day to me. From the beautiful flowers to the one of a kind earrings and precious cards from your sweet family.
    hugs

  • Tracie~My Petite Maison

    Happy Birthday, sweet friend. You have been in my thoughts all day. What special presents you have received, but you are a special person and deserve only the best!
    What a beautiful laptop you received from Josh. He sure knows how to choose a beautiful bouquet and I’ll be thinking of that delicious looking scone the rest of the evening (really!). Your mom always picks the loveliest gifts for you that truly fit your style so well. And Destiney’s gift… well all of them are so thoughtful! Here’s to your special day and the rest of your birthday week too.
    xo~Tracie

  • Janine

    Happy Birthday my beautiful daughter, I must say that 28 years ago you caused me a bit of pain(lucky for me only about 2 hrs, you were in a hurry I guess) and I will say you’ve never caused any pain after that, so thank you!! hahaha
    I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART! HAPPY 28TH!!!
    LOVE
    MOM

  • Andrea

    Happy Birthday Alice!
    You got such nice presents. I think the earrings your husband made are beautiful.
    What a sweetie!
    How adorable the cards and “money” you
    got from your sister and brother. Seeing
    the cards made me smile!
    God Bless you today and always!
    Andrea

  • Margaret Bouwmeester

    Happy Birthday, you sweet young little dear!!!!!
    I think the earrings are divine, the best!!! Love the 1,00.00, wow, where to spend it all!!!! Those are the best gifts, you have had a lot of things happen in your 28 years!
    Good for you, I wish many more wonderful precious years to come!!!
    Hugs,
    Margaret B

  • Jessica

    Happy happy day Alice! I came across your blog a few weeks ago and have been waiting patiently to read another one of your insightfull posts. I need to mention that when I first opened the screen and your blog appeard, a song started that I fell in love with instantly and I’m now going to use it in my June wedding this coming year. My hisband to be agrees that it’s a lovely tune. I’ll be a faithfull follower and can’t wait to read on!
    Thank you again and happy birthday girly, xoxo

  • Dawn @ The Feathered Nest

    Happy Birthday Sweetie!!!!! I hope your day was absolutely wonderful, and it sounds like it was!! Your hubby was so sweet to do so much and he did a beautiful job with those earrings, I love them! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year dear friend, hugs and love, Dawn

  • Jodie (everything vintage)

    Oh Alice, what a Happy Birthday to you! Even more so as I was reading my copy of the January 2010 Somerset LIFE. Your article and ALL of your photos are just GORGEOUS!!! It was a treat!
    {I hope I didn’t spoil the surprise for anyone here}
    I just wanted to stop in, wish you a Happy Birthday, a Merry Christmas and thank you for being such a wonderful inspiration to us all.
    😉

  • Mari-Ell

    HaPpY BirThDaY DeAr AliCe!!
    I hope you’ll have another wonderful year! I always read your posts and I love your blog very-very much – I’m a big fan of yours!!! You truly deserve all the nice things that the world has to offer. You have given me a lot of inspiration, I am forever thankful for that and I hope you will have a beautiful sparkling year ahead!
    Greetings from Estonia (I wouldn’t be surprised if you didn’t know where it was :D)!

  • Donna Warrignton

    Happy Birthday, Alice….
    You were born on this day: A December 16 Sagittarius is extraordinary. They have a disciplined nature and can live on little, as long as they can express their inner fire. Blessed with an artistic temperament, they understand that success equals creative accomplishment, not money. They have much wisdom.

  • Vintagebejoyful

    Happy Birthday dear girl, as young as you are, it seems like you might be an old soul, what a remarkable gift that is, yes to be an old soul…….the love of your family and friends is pure Gold! Have a wonderful day of celebration!
    Tracey

  • Crystel

    Happy (late) Birthday, Alice! It was my 2nd wedding anniversary yesterday so apparently the 15th of December is a good day! Please post more of your beautiful photos soon! Your posts are so inspiring!

  • Jo-Anne

    Hi Alice, what a heartfelt post this is, I really enjoyed your rising star ballerini, your sister is precious, and sharing with us your personal blessings..
    You are truly a blessing to us as well!
    Merry Christmas angel,
    Jo-Anne

  • Elizabeth

    happy belated birthday alice! what a beautiful birthday you had. wishing you many more birthdays like the one you had filled with love from family and friends and special momentos and gifts.
    ox