Weekly Be-Happy-Tudes! (Vol. 12)

It's been four days since my last post, but it feels like ages since I've been on here. Surprisingly, I'm actually ok with that slight feeling of disconnect, because it just means I've been living and enjoying life. Every now and then, it's nice to disengage from the internet and just "be" in the real world. I've done a lot of "be-ing" this past week. :)

I have a serious case of Birthday-Hangover. Not in the literal sense (although I did partake in some libations to celebrate), but in the I-love-dragging-out-my-birthday-and-making-it-all-about-me-festivities. I feel like I've celebrated my birthday nearly every day for the last week and quite honestly? I've loved every minute of it. And really, what girl wouldn't? I've been pampered and spoiled by my husband, loved-on by my closest girlfriends and sent loving emails, texts and snail mail by family and friends on the mainland. Life is good.

This week, I am happy and grateful for:

...moonbeams and indigo skies:

The moon has been quite the sight as of late; there have been many nights where Phil and I will rush home from work, grab our camera gear and try to set up in the front yard in time to catch the elusive moon in all her splendor, only to be disappointed by passing clouds who wish to teach us patience. One night in particular, we were successful and I've rejoiced in the result! I think I might like to visit the moon someday. :)

...decaf coffee.

Who knew that (with a little effort) decaf coffee could taste just as good as the the real deal? I'm a reformed coffee drinker, remembering with fondness my caffeinated Starbucks days of "I'll-have-a-quad-venti-nonfat-extra-hot-with-whip-white-mocha". I miss those days. I miss the smell of freshly brewed coffee. I miss the little jolt of caffeine goodness and the 3:00pm sense of invincibility I'd learned to fabricate with the simple exchange of goods and services. I miss caffeine, but not enough to forsake our Clean Diet. Decaf will do, thankyouverymuch.

...the best birthday celebration in over a decade. Eleven years ago, Phil invited me to spend the rest of my life with him --and nothing will ever top that--but my birthday this year was one that will go down in history. I'm working on a couple of posts to recap one of the (no joke) best weeks in my life, but in the meantime, a phone-dump will have to suffice in capturing the essence of my birthday this year:

...teaching my husband how to R-E-L-A-X.

I don't have a photo to document this, but I feel compelled to share that my basking-in-birthday-goodness has also taught Phil to relax just a little bit. I'm a master at the Art of Be-ing; it is a God-given gift if you ask me ;), but I can appreciate that for some, it requires a little bit of effort. Phil has been such a trouper this week, completely disconnecting from work and giving me his undivided attention during our stay-cation on Lanai. Our time together was good and it was necessary...and it reminded us that we need to do this more often.

I'm totally down with that idea.

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I have much to be grateful for this week. I'm happy and I'm thankful.

Here's hoping you all had a great week (and weekend!), too. :)