Good morning, everyone. Today is the 8th of March, and it’s actually my birthday! I’m either 43 or 44 now—I’m not really good with keeping track of that—but I’ve officially reached another milestone. Unfortunately, instead of celebrating with a big adventure or a party, I’m spending my birthday in bed.
I’ve been sick for the better part of a week now. We were supposed to be out on the road, continuing our long-spoken vacation and road trip, but life had other plans. I’m still struggling with a fever that just won't go away, and I’ve been feeling pretty miserable. Liam has been sick as well, and Jessa has been battling some nasty headaches. It’s been a rough stretch for the whole family, and our travel plans are currently on hold until we can all get back on our feet.
Even though I’m not in the best shape, it is a beautiful sunny day outside. I managed to get a little bit of work done on my laptop and had some coffee, but that’s about the extent of my energy. I’m not really in the mood for a big celebration, but I told Jessa we could maybe get a small cake and have a nice dinner—if I’m actually able to eat any of it.
By the afternoon, I still hadn't been able to eat breakfast. My stomach just isn't right, and the nausea is making it hard to think about food. Jessa went out to run some errands and buy some supplies. I told her not to get anything crazy—no expensive presents or anything—just some food for the family and maybe some yogurt or light snacks that I might actually be able to keep down.
When she got back, she had a few surprises up her sleeve. She brought back some sushi, which sounded great in theory, but fever and nausea aren't the best combination for raw fish! She also got a big stash of chocolates and candies, which Liam was more than happy to help me "manage." He was so excited about my birthday—probably because it meant he got to have some candy and soda!
The highlight of the evening was when Jessa revealed the dinner she’d prepared. She made mashed potatoes, salad, and chicken, and she even bought a beautiful cake. It had "Happy Birthday Aksel" written on it from her and Liam. It was such a kind gesture, even though I was still feeling too sick to really enjoy the spread.
We did a little birthday ceremony in the dark, with Liam and Jessa singing "Happy Birthday" to me. I made a secret wish—you know, if you say it out loud, it won't come true!—and blew out the candles. I managed to taste a tiny bit of the cake and some potatoes just to show my appreciation for all the effort Jessa put in.
It’s definitely been a "quiet" birthday, but having my family around makes it special regardless of how I’m feeling. My main goal now is just to get better so we can finally get back to our trip. We have so many more places to see and stories to share with you all.
Thanks for watching, and I’ll see you in the next one!
