I am so sad to admit this, but I have no pictures for the most awesome birthday of my life. I did get my ears pierced so I guess this picture will do to be the topper of this post!
The festivities began at the first of the previous week. My students (I just finished teaching in a 4th grade classroom for BYU) started bringing in treats and the cutest little notes. On Friday after lunch, the teacher next door came over with a huge Karaoke Machine. He plugged it into the wall and called me to the front of the classroom! He then sang his own rendition of Happy Birthday. It was really fun and of course I was super embarrassed. Then my students sang to me while I wore some pretty hideous glasses. The class and my mentor teacher showered me with gifts!
After school and a meeting I was required to attend for class, it was off to Heidi's. We loaded up the car and went to the mall. I had told the girls that I wanted to get my ears pierced for my birthday but I was scared. Kirstee reassured me that she would hold my hand just like I had held hers years ago for her ear piercing ceremony. So there I was, sitting in a chair and Kirstee was on the floor holding my hand. (Can you tell who was embarrassed of me?) I never thought it would be sooooo painful. It was like someone was stapling my ears. I didn't scream or cry but I was in pain!
The next day was Saturday. For weeks I had been planning to spend time with Marie. She had to be in SLC for the majority of the day but we were planning on doing something as soon as she got home. My family was having a get together because my Uncle Brent and Aunt Vickie were in town. (They left the next week for their mission in Canada!) That morning I tried to get some work done because I knew as soon as Marie got home I wouldn't be doing anything but partying. The get together was a blast. I really enjoyed all my aunts, uncles, cousins, and Ryan and his family. The food was pretty swell as well. Then Ryan and Sam wanted to take me shopping in Provo.
At this point I started to worry about Marie because she hadn't texted me to let me know where she was at. I am not going to lie, I was a little upset with her because I knew that by this time in the afternoon she would be done with her stuff in SLC. She wasn't trying to get ahold of me. I justified this though by reminding myself of the total lack of sleep Marie had had in the last several days. I thought she was probably at home sleeping.
Ryan, Sam, Marley, and I had a great time shopping and eating at my favorite restaurant. Marie finally texted me to see when we would be home. I said we would be there around 8. But of course we ran late and ended up home around 9.
I was so sad and disappointed when we got home and all the lights were off. I thought that Marie had probably fallen asleep on me. Ryan had to use the bathroom something terrible so they followed me into the house. Here I am, oblivious to the world around me. Fumbling to find my keys, singing the Smurf song with Marley, and just praying that I won't be going to bed in the next 10 minutes. (I wanted to stay up and party) I open the door and hear screams of Happy Birthday and Surprise. The lights go on and there is a dozen or so people standing in my front room with masks on. At first I was scared because I didn't recognize anyone. The first person I recognized was Marie, because of the clothes she was wearing. But most of the other people were a blur as to who they were. Why Marie hadn't called all day, why she hadn't texted was not because she was asleep but because she was prepping for my surprise birthday party. I couldn't have been more ashamed with myself. I felt so bad that I had thought she could care less when the only care she had in the world was making sure my party was a hit! And a hit it was! Sam made me a beautiful cake and of course we ate it with ice cream. We then loaded up on treats. We talked for awhile, we played games, and then we talked some more. We decided to sit down and watch a movie but I could tell that most of the party guest were tired. After so much fun we were all ready for bed.
The next day was my birthday. I woke up and went to a meeting. Then I went home to my parents for a birthday dinner. Michele had come down from Wyoming for my birthday, so I got to have a short visit with her and Anna May. After some time with the family, I came home to a roommate who had made me dinner. Soon our house was filled with people for ice-cream. (We had a ton of ice cream and toppings in the fridge because Sam bought stuff for the surprise party and I bought some for the little get together the next night)
All-in-all, it was a birthday that I will never forget. I can never say thank you enough to those that so graciously enrich my life. To my family: Mom, Dad, Todd, Deedra, Hunter, Sam Ryan, Marley, Scott, Sara, Michele, Heidi, Kirstee and Makadee: you truly are the greatest. You remind me of the love that has always resided in this family. Thanks for the presents but most of all the thought that went into the whole hoopla. To my students: I will never forget those hideous glasses you made me wear or the hundred candy bars that were given. To my friends: Brooke, Malory, Kelsey, Jeff, Emily, Rhett, Jordan, Kayde, Jeremy, and all those that Facebooked or texted me: Thank you for making it memorable. Thank you for always being there for me, for lifting my spirits at the perfect time! And last but defiantly not least, to my bestie: Marie! You are the greatest! Thank you for sacrificing so much to make my birthday an awesome one. Thank you for staying up for over 37 hours to make it a success. I will never forget the gold masks you painted or the tons of soda that was bought. I will never forget how you remembered a gift even after throwing a huge party. And I will always remember the example of one of the greatest people I know! Thank you to all! I have truly been blessed by all of you!
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