a very girly birthday lunch

today, my lovely mother-in-law, sandi and i went to an oh so girly place, arcadia farms, for an early birthday lunch. she surprised me with flowers! we sat out on the patio, with a lovely breeze and warm diffused sunlight. we ate (including yummy dessert) and talked and just enjoyed a leisurely spring afternoon. i didn't take my camera, so i had to make do with my cell phone camera.
a bit about sandi. she's wonderful. one of the best perks of marrying into the coates clan. she married matthew's dad only to lose him just a short year and half years later and inherit his three teenagers. and wow, did she bless their lives. those three teenagers are now all married, college graduates, with a great sense of family- thanks to the gift of unconditional support from their amazing stepmother. our lord truly blessed the coates family by adding her to the fold. and now i get the benefit of calling her family, too.
thank you, sandi-- you're a dreamy mother-in-law and friend!