Celebrate

My birthday celebrations have lasted a full week this year.  Last Tuesday night, some of my very favorite friends took me out to the Grand Lux Cafe to celebrate.  We all got delicious desserts, we talked, and basically had a blast together.  Thanks so much, ladies!  I loved every second!

On Saturday night, Adam took me out for my birthday dinner while the kids were at babysitting swap.  We went to a new place called Brio, a Tuscan restaurant that was AMAZING.  It's definitely a new favorite.  The atmosphere was great and the food was heavenly.  It's pricey, but if you register with them beforehand, they will send you a coupon for a free meal on your birthday.  It was seriously great!!

Yesterday, my actual birthday, was a bit unique.  I can't say as I have ever celebrated a birthday by attending a funeral before, nor is it an event that I would like to make an annual tradition.  Got that everyone?!  But it was a really great funeral for a really great lady and I was glad I got to be there.

Adam insisted on taking me out again for dinner last night.  He argued that though we went out on Saturday, the kids didn't go with us, so we should all go.  So we ate at Red Robin.  

After that, we came home to open presents. 

The boys gave me a light-up microphone reminiscent of the one we used to take on youth trips to Nauvoo and Palmyra when I was a teenager.  It promptly inspired a soulful rendition of I Hope They Call Me on a Mission.

And McKay puffed his way through I Love to See the Temple.

Then the boys helped me open my other presents.

I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that Adam spoiled me with a new pink touch-screen iPod nano and a RED KitchenAid mixer.  I almost certainly don't deserve either of those things, and getting both was definitely over the top.

And as if that wasn't enough, he then pulled an Oreo Coldstone cake.  Oh, divinity.  I'm going to have to  punish myself at the gym all week long to make up for that.  ;)
In addition to the cards I received from family members, I had four dear friends send/give me hand-written cards.  In today's world of text messages, emails, and facebook posts, (which please don't misunderstand--I LOVED all of those, too!) a hand-written card is something pretty unique.  I saved all four of those cards in a box of special things.  Thank you for being so thoughtful!  And those couple of friends who dropped off little gifts yesterday--that meant the world, too!  Thanks!
At the end of the day, I found myself again overwhelmed with gratitude for all the people in my life who helped make this day (and week!) so great for me.  I feel blessed beyond measure to live in such a wonderful place where I am surrounded by such incredible, loving friends.  Most of all, I am overwhelmingly grateful for a husband, who though not perfect, is pretty darn close.  He has made my life almost fairy-tale perfect since we have been together.  And my two little blonde-headed boys?  They are the reasons I get up each morning.  My beautiful family and amazing friends are the best gifts I have received!