My Happy Birthday

 I had the best 31st birthday a few days ago. My family went above and beyond to make sure I had a great day and it definitely did not disappoint!

I always do a "birthday breakfast" for the kids (and Andy) where they get to open one gift. Usually Andy will make me something I like, but this year he asked what I wanted and of course I told him cinnamon rolls because anytime I can eat those without having to make them I will! He also made sausage and hot chocolate, probably the best meal ever, haha.

He and the kids also gave me my "breakfast gift" as they called it. Andy gave me a gift card to Ulta (because I've been complaining that I need some new makeup for awhile, but I just never buy any.) and the kids gave me a Camelbak! I was so excited about this because I had mentioned to Andy that I wanted some new stuff for my bike. I don't have water bottle holders on my bike so the Camelbak will be perfect for really long rides. The kids also gave me some new pens and pencils because I am always complaining that someone takes the pens and pencils out of the pencil holder in the office. As soon as I replace them, they slowly disappear, never to be found again. That was Baron's idea and I was seriously thrilled.

My mom and I had gone shopping a couple days before my birthday and she brought my gifts over all wrapped up. I love opening presents, so it was fun for me :) I love that my mom takes me shopping still. We go to lunch and just get whatever I've been needing or wanting. This year it was new curling irons (my old one hasn't been doing the job for about a year), some clothes, workout pants, and of course shoes because I think it's become a tradition that I have to get at least one new pair of shoes every birthday ;)

I had to go to work on my birthday, but it was fine. The store was pretty much dead and I just had a few nail appointments.  Andy brought the little boys to see me. He brought balloons and lunch and another gift which he dubbed my "lunch present". I joked that he was going to give me gifts at every meal and he said he was. Score! It was new inner tubes for my bike, ones that aren't supposed to pop as easily. I was so excited! After they left my manager came in and brought me a gift of some cute new earrings. It was a good day at work :)

After work I had to take the kids to their piano lesson and then I read a book while they did homework. Andy was at class until 7. I made the kids dinner (ummmm, I mean I poured cereal and milk into their bowls and peeled oranges for them. Haha! I wasn't about to cook on my birthday...) 

While they were eating I was checking out instagram and found myself tagged in this beauty:

 I am not sure how old I am, maybe 2? One of my oldest friends, Shaunna, posted it on instagram and wished me a Happy Birthday. Look how cute we are! Her family moved away when I was about 4 years old, but her parents and my parents have remained dear friends and she and I have kept in touch through blogging and facebook. I just love Shaunna. She is so real and down to earth and hilariously funny. Friends for life!

After Andy got home we did birthday cake. I am so annoyed at myself because as I was uploading pictures for this post I realized I don't have one picture with my kids on my birthday! Lame.
Oh well. Everyone had cake and then the kids got ready for bed. Andy and I kissed them goodnight and headed out for a late dinner to one of my favorite restaurants, Bonsai.

We had an AMAZINGLY delicious dinner. We also had one of the best chefs we've ever had. He was hilarious and we were practically rolling with all of his funny jokes. It was such a fun night and I love my husband for making it such a good birthday. I love that man.

He gave me my "dinner gift" in the car. It was new clip-pedals for my bike. I just had regular platform pedals before and I broke one of them last summer, so I was really looking forward to getting new pedals that I could wear my cycling shoes with.

After we got home I had to actually do some quizzes and homework before midnight. But all in all, the day was fabulous, peppered with texts, messages, and phone calls throughout from family and friends making it even better.

Last year I was so scared about turning 30. I don't know what it was, but it terrified me. I am so happy to report that the first year of my thirties was one of the best yet. I got back into great shape, I lost 40 pounds, I ran my first half marathon and signed up to ride a 100 mile bike race. I went back to work and am using my cosmetology license, something I never thought I would do. I am helping our family financially and I am really proud of that. I went back to school and have maintained a 3.8 GPA thus far. I have served for a year in the Young Women's organization in my ward for the first time (including a year of temple trips, lessons, activities, girl's camp, and youth conference) and grown to love all of the girls like they were my own. I have made new friends and kept in touch with old ones. I have learned to control my shopping addiction (but seriously, I am so proud of this!) I have learned to let things go that just don't matter. I have done my darndest to "just keep swimming" when my life seems crazy and hectic and insurmountable. I feel like I have a bigger and brighter testimony of the gospel and a better outlook on life. And lastly, I have a happy and healthy marriage and family that I adore more than anything else on this earth. I am so proud of myself for my accomplishments this last year, the first of many in my thirties. I hope to accomplish many more things over the next nine years. It will be quite a ride, I'm sure.