I have to be honest and tell you I was dreading this birthday. And at the same time, so happy to be done with 23 and 24. Those were not my best years. However, they were years that taught me a lot and have molded me into a better person, and brought me one year closer to my ultimate goals and dreams. I thought I would be more scared to be turning 25, but I was actually really happy. For some reason I just have this feeling that it's going to be a good year. Probably because I'm determined to make it a good year.
When you're younger you think you know everything. I've now learned that I really know nothing. I'm so willing now to just do what Heavenly Father wants me to do. My prayers used to be "please this, and please bless me with this, and can you please help this to happen..." you know, that stuff. Now it's just "put me where you want me, your will not mine, bless me know what your mission for me is, give me strength, lead me..." because when it comes down to it, what's happiness without the support of a living Heavenly Father who has an incredible plan for you? It's taken me 25 years to realize it's not happiness. Not the lasting kind at least.
I feel like the older you get, the less of a birthday celebration occurs. Less presents, or if you get presents all you really want, even though you might not admit it, is money to help with bills, gas, rent, whatever it may be. My mom always makes sure to make my birthday special nonetheless. She has her perfect mommy ways of making every birthday a really great day. We had a family tradition to go to Carver's steakhouse every year with just my mom and dad and I on my birthday every year. It was my favorite day of the year. It was one day a year where it was just my mom, my dad and I around a dinner table laughing, eating great food, talking, and loving each other. Those days are over now. But I know my dad's still with me on my birthday and probably can't believe everything I've been through since he's died, and how much I've grown. These days I still get a little sad around my birthday and holidays knowing he and papa won't be there, but every year it gets a little easier and perspective and eternal promises seem greater. That being said, mom knew I needed a celebration this year. Between my phobia of change and missing my dad, it was just called for. And why not? I deserve it. Everyone does.
The celebration started with a great dinner at Outback steakhouse with our good friends the Hoods. Brother and Sister Hood are like parents to me, and their kids are like my siblings. Scratch that, Jessica is my sister. We had the best food, amazing dessert, tons of laughs, great birthday cards and presents, and I got to sit and talk to my little sister for two hours throughout it all. Now that she's a regular at BYU-Idaho, that time we get together is precious. After dinner, I went over to the Hoods for routine sister cuddle and movie night. That's tradition.
taylor swift card that opens up and she's singing. which was ridiculous in the best way possible.
jordan writes the best little notes
we wrote notes to drew, jessa's boyfriend, on his ipad cuz we're sweet like that
On the morning of my birthday, I got a wonderful birthday wake up complete with song and dance from my mom and Greg. If it were any other morning I would be throwing my pillows at them and slamming my door. Not this morning. I jumped out of bed like a ninja, embraced my bed head and ran around singing with them and the dogs. I looked at my phone and Garrett and Megan had texted me at midnight. They're so precise. I was kind of amazed at all the facebook, text, & voicemail love. I love getting mail. Even if it's through technology. I went back to bed, and mom let me sleep until I woke up. Eleven a.m. Best present ever. Then I realized our usual morning tradition hadn't happened...the conversation went like this:
"Mom, you usually get in bed with me at the time I was born and tell me my birth story...you know, like what happened the night before, when your water broke, everyone holding me in the hospital, dad being ridiculous during birth..."
"I know, but you just looked so peaceful, I wanted to let you sleep. I'm sorry..."
"It's okay, it's still my birthday until 11:59 pm. I'll see you then."
Anyways, we got hot chocolate and pumpkin scones at Starbucks, they wrote birthday girl on my cup...
...before our amazing mani/pedis next door. Note to birthday girls: if you tell them it's your birthday, they'll massage your feet, legs and back for an hour without charge.
After the pampering, we went shopping for a few new things. And by few new things, I mean we walked out of the store with ten huge bags. On the way home we stopped for drinks and drove around with the sunroof and windows down dancing and singing to glee as loud as we could. We went home and got ready for my family birthday party at my Grandma's house. I live for these family birthday parties. They're hilarious, so fun, and I just really love my family. We walked up to Nanny's house and my mom had hung the biggest banner I've ever seen.
My cousin Brandon kept asking where the spa opening was because it was like one of those ginormous banners you see celebrating the opening of a new business. I have a feeling we'll be using this banner to it's money's worth for every birthday to come. The family party was great. The best pizza in San Diego, Aunt's famous chinese chicken salad, soda bar, diamond ring with opal to pass down to my daughter one day, tons of family pictures, SO much laughing and family inside jokes, family dance party, hot party hats, and a night with my family that I'll never forget.
more like brother, less like cousin
laura and I making kissy face per request
brandon fist pumping during family pictures
On the way home, Brandon and I stopped at the same stop light even though we were turning different directions. He opened his door and I thought "yes, this is gonna be good..." which it was. He blasted his music, opened his door and danced in the street to "We Speak No Americano" until the light turned green. It was the perfect way to end the night. Nothing makes me happier than my family. After I got home, I went and picked up Andi and we went for a little birthday drive around town and had a little girl talk.
The next day I got the cutest little package in the mail from Idaho from my little sister Jessa. Complete with my favorite candy and window/mirror crayons. My favorite part was definitely the birthday card because the cover was hilariously us, kissy face-duh, and a tender message inside.
Thanks shmoooooopie, I love you.
The next weekend, Lynsi came over early in the morning to hang out before the birthday party that night with my friends. We went on a drink run and layed out in the back yard for a while and got our tan on, then decided to decorate my car for when we went out that night.
We had a little movie marathon, hung out with my family, talked with my aunt for a while, did our nails and blasted music, and then Andi came over to get ready with us. We got all ready for the weekend we've been waiting for! Everyone came over and we sat and ate pizza around our dining room table and had the most hilarious conversation I've ever been a part of. I don't think I'll ever forget that conversation or Andi gagging on her pizza from laughing so hard. Of course mom felt like she didn't have enough food, so she and Greg went back to the pizza place and got like 7 more pizzas. Really mom? She has to be the perfect hostess, and I love it. We showed the ice cream bar a good time, and blew out my candles on my cupcake cake. You know, the princess cupcakes with pink sprinkles, pink cupcake wrappers, crown decorations and candles that were a castle, star, heart and tiara? Yeah that one.
We all know what I wished for, but that stays between us...I figure it is more likely to come true the less people know. And is it weird when I say amen after I make a wish? Idk.
The rest of the night was amazing. Driving to the bowling alley in decorated car, people honking, music blaring, strikes & gutter balls, DJ, hot dance moves the entire night, getting hit on by drunk guys, making a new friend named 'stache aka Mussy, lazers, wall sized music videos, lots of pictures, more ice cream in the morning with matt and lynsi, a weekend long sleepover with Lynsi, and being around really good friends and family.
Oh...and a great tiara with a princess cupcake on the side. Yep I'm 25 and still a princess.
this is Garrett's definition of pushin' it.
by now he should be used to it.
The next day, I got a package in the mail from Garrett which was the perfect ending to my birthday.
It was a great birthday, shared with amazing people, a wonderful family, 2 birthday packages from very important people to me who aren't here but were still a part of my day, and memories I'll think back on for the rest of my life.
It really is going to be a great year.
