27 Candles

Today was my birthday. I turned 27.

It was a good day. Very lax, which I liked. We had a fun little birthday party with my little fam, which was perfect for me. Some pulled pork sandwiches, a little Texas Sheet Cake (major, major yum) and some cookies n cream ice cream. One of the best moments of any birthday to date was watching Claire so excited as she sang happy birthday to me, anticipating helping me blow out the candle. It was an emotion I had yet to experience and it rocked! Cody came home early from school with a bundle of roses and some yummy chocolates. He works really hard to make my birthdays special and today was sensational.

Let me give you a play by play:


Here I am about to open my present. Yes, I do realize Claire clothes don't match, but at least she is wearing clothes. Morgan seems a bit shell shocked, but don't be concerned. After all this is her first family birthday party. I can see how it can be a bit confusing for someone who has never been to one before.


Here I am opening up my birthday card from Cody. Inside it contained a sweet message and a 1$ bill. Cody threw that in there because he feels it is a lot more exciting to open a letter that has money in it. Very True. Claire is eager to help, while Morgan is trying to figure out why there is only 1$ in there (what, is this like 1955?).


Here I am saying "Adobe Photoshop, I LOVE IT!" Claire didn't quite understand the brilliancy of the gift, while Morgan seemed down right skeptical that the package was so small.




Here I am blowing out the candle on my birthday cake. The little dash of powdered sugar is courtesy of Claire's culinary skills, and Morgan seems to be so hungry that she is eating her pajamas.



And for the grand finale, here I am snuggling with my two favorite girls of all time. Yes, I realize Claire's hair isn't done and looks like a mushroom. But at least now she is wearing the shirt that matches her pants. And Morgan, well, she is still underwhelmed by it all. As for me, I was one very happy girl.

Birthdays aren't quite like they were when I was younger- I didn't get to wear the birthday crown, have the feather pen on my desk, and get chased around by a dark lipstick-wearing Ms. Spellman today. But as I get older, I think birthdays get more special. It's more about a day of appreciation rather than of partying. I loved getting phone calls and emails from my friends and family today. It meant a lot to me this year. My friend Libby, dropped by some cookies and a card. Cody wrote me the sweetest note. My sister, Michelle, even dedicated a whole post to me on her blog. To know that there are people who really know me, who love me, makes me feel wonderful. It makes me a very happy 27 year old.

On a final note, President Hinckley passed away yesterday. I am a little surprised how not very sad I am about it. I loved him. I enjoyed listening to him speak. I knew he was a prophet of the Lord. I knew he was a good man. I will miss his leadership, his inspiration, but I am so happy to think that he is reunited with his wife, his loved ones, his Savior. He worked hard and now I know he is peacefully resting, excited to watch the gospel continue to roll forth on the earth.