My Birthday

So, today is my birthday- I am 31 years experienced. I remember when I was little and thinking about how old I would be in the year 2000 and realizing that I would be 23 and thinking that was soooooooooo old! And now here it is 8 years later and I do not feel old- just more experienced.

My birthday was not just a day- it was an experience that had bits and pieces stretched over 3 days. Sunday birthdays are difficult when you are LDS and regard Sunday as something more than just another day. Living in Utah, I got last Thursday off as a paid holiday for Pioneer Day. Plus, we get a paid holiday for our birthdays at work, so I decided to use Friday as my paid holiday and had another 4 day weekend. I headed home Wednesday night as soon as I got out of my meeting. Let me just say that my car is now coated with 2.3 inches of bugs from driving at night through farmland. Thursday was a lot of this and that- sleeping in, playing with my sister and her cute babies. Friday, my brother and his family came over- his wife and kids have been in town from Iowa all summer while he has been in Maryland playing Army, but he was in town for a week. We had a great birthday bbq- kebabs (thanks to Mom for pointing out that you cannot have rice kebabs when I said that you can kebab anything!), yummy salads and red velvet cupcakes for my birthday cake! I highly recommend finding Paula Deen's red velvet cupcake recipe. So, so, so good! Saturday I went shopping with Mom and Heather- fun times! I found my birthday outfit, which, thanks to some thrifty shopping, consisted of a new dress, strappy sandals, earrings, a necklace and a chunky bracelet. Stacey & Clinton would be so proud of me- I chose turqoise/teal shoes & accessories to go with my black & white dress. Plus the whole ensemble has circles on each piece.

This weekend was also spent watching a lot of movies. My brief review of each of the shows we watched:
1. The Bucket List- two big thumbs up! I laughed, I cried, I was moved. However, for those of delicate ears, Jack Nicholson has a potty mouth, so don't watch it if swearing really bothers you.
2. 27 Dresses- a good lighthearted comedy. I don't know that I would own it or even watch it again, but that is mostly because some parts of it hit a little too close to home for me. I will say, though, that I love James Marsden- he is so dang cute!
3. Sydney White- so, so cute! It's a retelling of Snow White starring Amanda Bynes- she does a lot of those type shows. I like most everything she is in. Plus, the Prince Charming character makes me want to melt. It's kind of all about embracing your inner dork.
4. Penelope- loved everything about it! Totally clean movie- no swearing or other unsavory elements. It's also one that hits close to home- it's about loving and living despite your physical imperfections. Highly recommended for anyone and everyone. Plus, James McEvoy is a celebrity crush, and he is cuter than cute in the show.

This morning, since I figured I was going to have to come home to Logan anyways, I came down early and went to a baby blessing. My cousin Lu and her husband Andrew blessed their baby Cole. The blessing was beautiful and we had a great lunch with family and friends afterwards.

All in all, I had a great birthday experience! Thanks to everyone who called/emailed/texted, etc. I love you all!