My birthday fell on a Tuesday, but because I was going to be spending that evening with my family, my roommate Kelsey and her boyfriend Peter took me out to one of my very favorite restaurants: PF Changs (I’ll point out here that not only do they have fabulous food, but a superb Gluten-free menu. Win-win). Although Kelsey and I live in the same apartment, we can go days without talking or seeing each other. It was fabulous to spend an evening with her. While we were at dinner, the three of us made a “Birthday Rebellion” list I was to accomplish while I was still technically a teenager. Some of the suggestions were 1) kiss a stranger 2) get my belly button pierced 3) jump over a fire 4) get a tramp stamp 5) hike the Y at night. I can’t remember the exact number, but there was roughly 10 or so “challenges” to be done and I think I only did 1…maybe 2? Clearly, I’m really not that big of a rebel. Regardless, we had a fun time together.
It looks multiple, multiple attempts to get a good picture of Kelsey and I. After many failed attempts, Peter finally captured one we both were happy with.
Here's a little idea of what I mean by "failed attempt". In this particular moment, I was laughing so hard that I leaned over and ended up hitting my head on a fork.
A picture of the happy couple:
When we got home from the restaurant, Shelly and Keaton were there and the 5 of us had vanilla ice cream with freshly cut strawberries and chocolate sauce. It was yummy!! After some chitchat, we all settled down to watch “Monsters Inc.”
Some of us were more tired than others when the movie was over…poor Keaton…
Tuesday morning I went to lab where my TA and classmates sang to me and another gal whose birthday it was. When I got home, I went for a long run, took a hot shower, read my book, took a nap, ate some yummies and was perfectly content with spending the day relaxing. At 4 p.m. I went to my art history class to take a midterm which with a bit of birthday luck I did very well on. At 6 p.m., I met mom, dad and Melina at the Orem Chilies (my most favoritest restaurant) for dinner. If you don’t believe me when I say I love my birthday, listen to this next story: once we were seated and the waiter came up to us to get our drink order, I said “Hi! It’s my birthday. And I will need a sprite.” Are you getting it? I REALLY like my birthday. It was wonderful to spend time with my family. I am truly blessed to have phenomenal parents and a loving sister. The only thing that could have made it better would have been if Mark, Elise and baby could have been there. Hopefully next year :) When I got home from dinner, my good friend Haley Needs came over and brought me a GF cupcake from a bakery called “The Chocolate”. Because I haven’t seen her in far too long, it was a splendid surprise I’m still smiling over. It meant a lot that she came by to see me. Thank you and I hope to see you again soon! Later in the evening, my friend Katie took me to my favorite bakery in Utah County: Cocoa Bean. Not only did we get scrumptious cupcakes, but she got me a bright yellow shirt that says “REAL MEN EAT CUPCAKES”. Thanks Kate! I love that shirt probably much more than I should ;)
Wednesday night some girls from my singles ward came over with a plate of cupcakes for me. I’m not sure if the girls realize the magnitude of my love for cupcakes, but I was pretty darn excited. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Thursday night I went over to Sara and Jim’s for our now traditional birthday celebration dinner: Del Taco. Much to my dismay (and the dismay of Jim, I’m sure) I did not eat 20 tacos; on the contrary, I think I only managed 6 or 7. I guess that means I need to practice more for my next birthday. To my delight, they gave me a Taco Amigo gift card which will pay for a great many meals already consumed and shortly to be consumed. Thank you! I’m so grateful for their sweet family and how much they’ve opened their home to me. I can’t say enough “thank you’s” or enough kind things about them. I’m so grateful that we’re a family and we’re there for each other.
My life has been so deeply blessed. Heavenly Father gave me not a perfect family, but the right family. I know I don’t take the time to appreciate my family enough, particularly my parents, but it’s something I’m trying to do more of. I love both of my sisters and the examples they are to me. I’m thankful that Mark is a part of my family now and I’ve finally got a big brother. I am so unbelievably thankful to have family so close to me in Draper and in Orem. The Lord has placed people in my life that have and continue to help me dearly. I’m so grateful for the Dewey family I work for. 3 times a week I’m welcomed into their home and witness firsthand the love and faith that household is built upon and it is an example to me. Friends past and present uplift and edify my spirit every day. It seems like I’m constantly learning new things about myself, others, life and the Gospel through them. I’m thankful to go to BYU and get an education. The older I get, the more I realize that an education is not a right, but a privilege not to be taken lightly. Over the last month, I’ve felt so incredibly close to the Spirit and its presence in my life. I’m thankful for my Savior. I’m thankful to be serving in the Relief Society presidency and to have the pleasure of becoming better acquainted with the sisters in my ward. I’m grateful for the trials God puts in my life because they challenge me to rise above that which I believe I’m capable of. Those are God’s “gifts” to me. While some of them are not always wanted, they teach me what I need to learn and with time become the greatest treasures of all.
Here’s to another year of laugher and smiles! I look forward to what’s in store for me next. My only prayer is that the wonderful people I get to call my family will be around to celebrate with me next year!
Loves!
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