This post could be alternately titled, “Why I wept all day on my birthday.” And, no, it wasn’t because I was depressed about turning 31.

I turned 31 yesterday. I’m a birthday person. I love birthdays. My parents always made birthdays a pretty big deal, with a fun family breakfast, gifts, and sending balloons or flowers to school. Even in college, I always received flowers from my parents. I just love birthdays.

But I was kind of dreading this birthday. I knew I’d take the kids to school and then I thought I might just spend the day by myself until I picked the kids up from school at noon.

And then my sweet friend Megan asked if we could spend the morning together, and I was just excited about having a morning with a friend.

When I woke up yesterday morning, I picked up my phone and already had five texts from precious friends wishing me a happy day, and telling me they loved me.

And I checked Facebook. If there’s ever a day to love Facebook, it’s on your birthday. It’s this wonderful reminder of all the people in your life that you’ve known from all different life stages. It’s a reminder of a blessed life. When I checked Facebook, I saw that my dad had posted the sweetest post about what happened in his life 31 years ago. And I wept.

I thought of my sweet parents. And immediately thanked God for the people that they are and the people they brought into my life.

Todd and the boys wished me a happy birthday, brought me coffee in bed, and Todd gave me a larger-than-life framed print of 13-month-old Hudson. It was something I’d wanted to have framed for years and we just never did it. And I saw that print of my baby boy, who is now 4.5, and I cried again. It was such a sweet reminder of how fast time flies and how beautiful my two little blessings are.

I told y’all I was emotional. I was just completely overwhelmed with gratitude.

Throughout the day, I continued to get texts, calls, comments on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and while I know it only takes a second to wish someone a happy birthday, I was thankful for each and every message.

There is nothing like a birthday to remind me how truly blessed I am.

It’s the start of another year. I have no idea what’s in store for this year, but I am so very thankful for the people that I’ve had the privilege of knowing along the way.

Yesterday wasn’t full of grand plans, but I felt loved. And I do feel loved every single day.

Thank you for helping to make the day special.

Welcome to Our Favorite Things: Blogger Gift Guide!
Ten Bloggers, tons of gift ideas & 10 incredible giveaways (each blogger is giving away their entire basket of favorite things!!). Be sure and go check out each gift guide & giveaway and get to know all of these fun bloggers!

the busy budgeting mama | jenny collier | the mom diggity | just a girl and her blog | house of rose

view from five two | blue eyed bride | dance parties in the rain | chasing big dreams | coconut robot

Erin’s Favorite Things and Gift Guide

Isn’t that so cool? Here’s a closer look at what all is in my basket.

My “basket” is actually the Scout Deano bag, which is a huge favorite of mine. I carry mine everywhere, and it’s included in the giveaway!

Inside the basket, I have included a Lindsay Letters Oh Holy Night Print, a Jessica N Designs “Baby It’s Cold Outside” hand-stamped spoon, an NS Pottery handmade red mini latte mug, Ashley Brooke Designs Christmas gift labels, The Holiday with Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet, Starbucks vanilla K-Cups, Essie Nail Polish, a Bella Tunno Chalk Mat Roll for kids, a Target gold polka dot binder and notebook, peanut butter M&Ms, Ghirardelli peppermint dark chocolate, and Sharpie 80s glam fine tip markers.

To Enter:

To enter my giveaway, just complete the Rafflecopter below.

And then go visit all the other blogs to enter their giveaways. Entering my Rafflecopter for my favorite things will not automatically enter you into their giveaways. So be sure to visit all of the links above to be entered into their giveaways!

Okay, so enter below and then hurry over to the over girls’ blogs to see the super fun favorites they’re giving away, too!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Be sure to hop over to According to Nina today to see my Christmas gift ideas for the person who loves the home. I had so much fun putting this list together and hope you find something you love for the special person on your list!

-ONE-

I am just dying over this sweatshirt that I pinned this week. I think it’s from an eBay seller, but it just makes me laugh so much! I wish I could get one for the boys.

-TWO-

We’re having a lot of fun with Every Day Cheer. I especially loved these Thanksgiving “thankful for you” printables from Lauren Haddox that the boys can take to school or give to grandparents.

-THREE-

My friend and fellow Every Day Cheer contributor, Jenny Collier, posted this beautiful Thanksgiving scripture printable this week.

-FOUR-

Little Passports for preschoolers. We are scaling back a lot on Christmas gifts this year, but one of the things I am so excited about giving to Hudson is the Little Passports subscription box. I first talked about Little Passports a few years ago, but the boys were too young to enjoy it then. But now Hudson is finally old enough, and I’m excited to get to try out a new box with him every month.

-FIVE-

I ordered our Advent Calendar from Naptime Diaries last week, and I’m so excited about it! The designs are absolutely beautiful, and I’m already imagining it in the new house for Christmas.

Hey, friends! Can you believe this week is halfway over? And we’ve been told that we could possibly move into our house in a couple of weeks!

Thank you all so much for your excitement with us over Every Day Cheer. We’re all so excited about the new site, and we’re looking forward to sharing lots of fun things with you.

I’m sharing one of my all-time favorite things over on Every Day Cheer today, and would love for y’all to go check it out and add it to your Thanksgiving menu this year!

And while you’re over at Every Day Cheer, click around and read all about my fellow contributors. I love these girls!