Dinner and Family

My birthday was a good day. Nothing out of the ordinary, but it was peaceful, and I was glad to spend it with the people I love most in the world.

After sleeping in that morning, I prepared myself for church physically and spiritually, and then watched some soccer with Peter. Truth to be told, I wouldn't have chosen to have my 30th birthday on a Sunday, but since it was I felt excited to go to church and feel the spirit there and talk with my Heavenly Father and thank him for these last 30 years. I have been very blessed. It felt right to share some of my special day with Him.

Turned out, the next week was Regional Conference at the Conference Center, so it was my last chance to be in that ward and say good-bye. I hadn't told many people I was moving, so it caused quite a stir during Good News Minute. My Relief Society President and I get along really well, and when I told her I was leaving she said, "Oh no! I'm going to miss you; you're one of my favorites." I'm going to miss her too! It was a good ward. I loved my calling (Relief Society choruster -- how perfect is that?!), the Bishopric was genuine and kind, and I made friends there that I hope to keep for life.

After church, I went home and asked Dad to take some pictures of me while I was still dressed up. I felt very pretty in my floaty while dress, and wanted a photo of myself dressed up on my 30th birthday!



When Adam, Lindsey, and the G-unit arrived G was grumpy. To cheer him up, I told him we had chocolate-covered strawberries. I then said "G, we're going to have the Best Dessert Ever!" (That's what my family calls this incredibly fattening and delicious cream cheese and chocolate pudding dessert that I love). Well, G looked up at me with those big, blue, tear-filled eyes and said, "Cake?" I laughed and told him that the Best Dessert Ever is the name of the dessert. He's such a joy! How I love that little boy!

Mom served the dinner I'd been planning for a month:

steak and chicken shishkabobs grilled with green peppers
hummus and pita bread
squash, tomatos, onions, and zucchinni baked in Italian dressing
chocolate-covered strawberries
Print Loft (cheese) soup
the Best Dessert Ever

It was, of course, excellent, and I was delighted when everyone liked it. Everyone took leftovers home and I still had enough for myself to eat for 3 lunches!

The gifts were terrific. I love to open gifts, and very much appreciated my family's thoughtfulness. Adam's family gave me the Stardust DVD, Dad bought me movie discount tickets, Mom gave me the Hairspray DVD, and Mom and Dad together gave me a new VCR/DVD player! I loved that Peter and David chose to give me the globe I'd hoped for. It will be nice to have a visual idea of where the places I read about actually are!



In my honor, the G-unit sang "Do, A Deer" from the Sound of Music. Lindsey started him off, and he rattled off the song in silly, giggly fashion, ending in "Do-oh-oh-oh-oh!" I was impressed that even though he kept interrupting himself to giggle, he came back into the song at the correct pitch! He didn't even change keys when the tune seemed too high! It was awesome!

Aaron called after dinner to wish me a happy birthday. I love my Aaron and have kept lousy touch during the last year. It was nice to hear how his adventures are progressing and to have his encouragement for mine. He sounds happy. I miss him. I am really looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas when he comes to visit! Yay! Two weeks! I hope he doesn't get bored...

The rest of the evening went much the way most Sunday evenings do lately: Mom played with G, and the rest of us watched Project Runway and other stuff on t.v. When the others left I felt I should watch something Dad would like. Then Mom reminded me it was MY birthday, so I decided to watch what I wanted: Monk, Psych (both on DVR), and Spanglish (the only one my dad actually watched; I think he liked it!). I took today off from work (Yes, I took both Friday and Monday surrounding my birthday off. I think everyone should!) so I didn't have to worry about going to bed early. I love to stay up late! And it was my birthday; I wanted to wring every last drop of birthday-ness from it I could.

The day ended far too quickly, as they often do. Fortunately, I have something going on every night this week -- let the Birthday Week continue!