11,688

This was the 11,688th time the sun rose since I've been alive.

It was a pretty spectacular one!

Kaylinn and I headed down to the beach at 6:15 so we could be there with ample time for the 7:08 sunrise. We got there just in time for the sky to be lighting up.

I also wanted to see the 'bright morning star', which is in fact Venus. I am doing a daily devotional of the names of Jesus, and this week's name is 'bright morning star' (Revelation 22:16). It suggested getting up in time to see the morning star, and I figured why not do that on my birthday and bring in the day with a beautiful beginning! I was a bit concerned that I wouldn't be able to find it, but when I got to the beach and looked up my fears were unfounded. It is literally the last star left in the sky. Just it and the moon.

I relaxed while Kaylinn ran back and forth on her leash and finally sat down watching for birds. She was not disappointed, although the birds did wait until it was light out to start flying around. Actually, just about the time the morning star finally disappeared the birds started chirpping...and Kaylinn started freaking out.

About this time I thought that perhaps the sun had risen behind the clouds because it was pretty darn light outside. I hadn't taken my cell phone on purpose so we walked back to the car, and saw it was 6:58. I dropped my chair in the car and we headed back out on the beach. About 2 minutes later the show began...

Eventually I forced myself to head home and get ready for work. It took me a bit longer to choose an outfit since I was basing it off of matching the new shoes my mom sent, but amazingly enough I drove in right at 8:30. I was greeted by tulips and our favorite chocolate candy bars from Maia, the tulips even matched my outfit! Then I started getting all my happy birthday texts, e-mails, calls, and facebook posts. It was awesome! We went out for lunch at Your Pie - there were so many of us we ended up siting at 3 tables. Our party included baby Maia, who I haven't seen since she was born. Anyone who knows me knows that holding a month old baby is a birthday present in itself. I did manage to get a few things accomplished at work, headed home to read and take a mini nap, and then Sandor and I went out to eat dinner at the pier in Folly - my FAVORITE fried shrimp, compliments of mom and dad. I've got two bouquets of flowers sitting on the table (Sandor got me flowers too...and some earrings), my belly is full of delicious food, and I'm tired out and headed to bed. All in all I think sunrise day #11,688 was a winner!