Happy Birthday to......Me!

Ok, so I'm trying to remain positive about this birthday business...even though I'm PRACTICALLY 30!!!! Seriously. If you count the 9 months of my life in the womb, I'm 3 months away to being 30. Depressing. (except...well...those of you reading this that are over 30, it's totally not depressing...you're still young...ok, foot in mouth...I just can't complain about my age, I guess, until nobody is in fact older than I am...and in that case I guess I'll just have to wait until I'm over 100!)

But...I still had a good birthday!

Saturday: Birthday. My cute friends came to visit me. I was in the shower with Claire. Oops. I guess it's the thought that counts. Rachel came by after though, and brought me.......a HUGE cinnamon roll, and well, a Cosmopolitan magazine!! (ah!) Her husband is in Iraq. 'Nough said :)

Then, my parents and brother Joe (last day in town) came by and took Rachel and me to lunch at the Olive Garden. It was great, as usual, and they sang some dorky song to me. Too bad they don't give out free desserts like they used to (even though I was totally stuffed...I could've brought it home though!) Sorry, no pics of this one :(

Jordan was planning to take me to the temple and to dinner, but his coworker had to not come into work, last minute, and if one isn't there, the other HAS to come in on time...so Jordan's idea of going in a couple of hours late wouldn't work out. So, raincheck on that one!

So, I spent the night at home. Natalie came by and hung out with me for a few, but then we both went to bed early. I prepared for my gospel doctrine lesson, and the prospect of getting up really early to practice a song with my sis, Kristin, to sing in sacrament meeting. Busy weekend.

Sunday: Sang in church with Kristin, old reliable "Blest are They..." I totally messed up like 15 times, scooped on the high notes, etc, etc.... I have to say it wasn't my best moment, but hey, in my ward...I hate to say this, but if you heard our choir.... (BUT there are certain individuals in the ward that are REALLY talented...) Gospel doctrine was pretty good...odd lesson because it was all church history. Tried to do a good job. People said it was good, but you know how people are...they're just nice!

Then went to the Taylor residence for birthday dinner!! It was great. I had "whatever I wanted" to eat for dinner, which was my mother-in-law's delicious chicken rolls or pillows or whatever they're called, this raspberry jell-o salad thing that is so delicious that my sister-in-law, Jessica made, and Aunt Vicki's pina colada cake--YUM! Also got some nice gifts from all, including jewelry (they definitely know me!) Jenn gave me a gift certificate to Goodwood BBQ and FROGURT (my FAVORITE!) but I think, all in hopes that I'll pig out and not lose weight... she and I are always trying to lose more weight than the other since our babies were born. Hey Jenn! I think I'll use the GC AFTER I lose like 5 more lbs. as a REWARD! Your little plan has backfired already....

Ava with her cute hairdo!

Nikki (Jessica's friend) and Jessica - all matchy...

Jordan and Claire - isn't that the CUTEST outfit? Thanks to my mother-in-law :)

Making a wish - you know, the usual "I wish I had no bills," "I wish I weighed 20 lbs. less," etc.

Jordan showing off Claire's mad walking skills!

Monday: Still doing birthday stuff! Today my boss (tried to make it a surprise but failed when a coworker accidentally spilled the beans) took me, along with two of my friends, Jasmin and Monica that also work with me, to the Cheesecake Factory. YUM-O. Had some Thai lettuce wraps and coconut cream cheesecake. I think I gained 5 lbs. today because I also had this amazing chocolate cake Monica brought in for my birthday. This post is really becoming a food journal. Seriously.

From left: Monica, Jasmin, Sydney (my boss) and me!

Monday night--sitting here, blogging. Birthday was great. I feel old now though. And tired. That's what happens I guess!

ps. Sorry this post was so incredibly boring and journal entry-ish. (but I guess if you were really bored you wouldn't have even made it this far, right? But maybe you did and you're trying to gouge your eyes out by now?) Ok next time I'll try to be more....entertaining in the next one...or maybe just less detailed. Either or. I might just be more exciting when I'm actually 30 though?