I'm puzzled {in a good way!}

♥

The time has come to call my birthday puzzle complete and take it off the wall. I ended up receiving 87 pieces of the 96 that Carrie sent out, which I think is really good. I LOVED every part of this birthday present that my sweet girl put together for me! I could go on and on and on about it... 

How about I just give you a little summary? ;o)

It was so much fun receiving mail every day during the month of May {and into June}! And the mail came from all over the world. There were a total of 12 pieces that came from my blog friends - England, Ireland, and even Australia! I wonder if I will ever cease to be amazed by the wonderful friendships I have formed through this blog. There were so many sweet notes written, amazing little pieces of artwork, stories, and photos.

My nieces and nephews were involved - from the oldest {22} who wrote a note in Chinese, to the youngest {2} who colored with crayons around the photo his mommy attached to the back of the puzzle piece. My 14-year old nephew {Tyler} signed his piece with "T-bug" ~ a nickname I gave him when he was a baby, and one that only I am allowed to call him.  :o) 

There were many surprises in the mail, and I was amazed that Carrie had contacted so many people without me knowing! There were cousins, aunts and uncles, siblings, in-laws, co-workers {former and current}, scrapbook friends, friends from high school - people I hadn't heard from in years. Some pieces held a simple "Happy Birthday" note, while others had fun memories we'd shared. Every single piece is priceless to me!

I am so grateful to Carrie for organizing this birthday gift for me! The hours and the postage and the love she put into it mean the world to me, and I just couldn't be more proud of her for doing it.

Perhaps my Uncle Wes said it best with his puzzle piece poem:

As nieces go
you have no equal,

But with daughter, Carrie
you have a sequel.

:o) ♥