Happy Birthday to ME!

"Happy birthday to me! Happy birthday to me! Happy birthday dear MEEEEEE! Happy birthday to me!" No, my birthday is not today. But is was a couple of weeks ago. July 29th to be exact. And to me, birthdays are something that should be celebrated. Yes, I know that they happen every year and that they aren't exactly an oddity or anything. But still, they are worth being celebrated. For you see, when celebrating a birthday you are celebrating that fact that someone is alive. The fact that someone has been living a life and still has a life to live. And the fact that not only do you know this person, but you have gotten to be a part of this life that they are living. So you see, to me birthdays are worth celebrating because it isn't just a day for gifts, cake, or ice cream, but it is a day for friends and celebrating that fact that you get to live your life with them. So when someone you love has a birthday coming up don't just pass it off. Take the time to let them you love them and that you are glad that they are alive and that you are lucky enough to be a part of their life. Take the time to really celebrate.

Now, with this said, some of you may be wondering what I did for my birthday. No worries, I celebrated. I celebrated a lot with a lot of very good friends and family. The first celebration happened the week before my birthday on the 23. A bunch of my friends and I gathered together at the Rood residence for a BBQ, swim, and movie night. We have had these types of nights often and if you have heard about them before then you know that they are AWESOME! First of all, you have the people. A group of friends who know each other so well that we can sit around a kitchen table for hours laughing our heads off. Plus, none of us are afraid to be exactly who we are. Which tends to mean that we all act like little kids and make sarcastic jokes and comments when ever we are together. Second, you have a pool with a slide, diving board, and lots of pool toys. You give all of this to the said people above and you know we are entertained. Third, you have great food. Ben rocks at cooking burgers and the girls make great salads and have gotten very creative with making non-chocolate desserts for me. Fourth, you have a funny movie in a theater with a soda machine. Then you throw in some funny moments, great weather, great gifts (that included a library check-out binder, cake decorating supplies, fun nail polish, picture frames, and gift cards) and lots of laughs and you can imagine how great the afternoon and night was. In one word, it was Fabulous!

The next celebration happened on my birthday, Friday July 29. This night I got together with two very special and amazing girls. Girls who I have become great friends with over the last year and love to death. We got together and went to China Star for dinner because my favorite food just happens to be Chinese. While we were there eating great sweat &sour chicken, rice, ragoons, and more they gave me my birthday gifts. Two things which show how well they know me because I loved them instantly and made giddy noises in the restaurant upon opening them. Taryn gave me the soundtrack to the show Midnight in Paris. (If some of you remember this show is one of my fabulous finds which I loved). Now the thing about this gift is, you can't just buy the soundtrack. It is not available in the US. Therefor Taryn went through the music list for the show, found all of the songs, and put them together herself. Awesome! The second gift that I was giddy over would be the movie North and South which Jessica gave me. She was the one who first introduced me to this show and I fell in love with it. I am so happy to now own my own copy. After dinner we went to see the play Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. It was funny and the music was great. We all enjoyed it and plan to go back to see other shows in the coming year. From there we went back to the apartment where they proceed to sing me happy birthday over pumpkin cupcakes. Delicious. And then watched Physc. It was a great night.

The next celebration happened the next night. Saturday, in case you didn't follow. I got together with two other great girls that I have know for years and who are also fabulous. Their names would be Kendra and Maggie. We went to Pepperbelies for dinner. which is this great Mexican restaurant in Kaysville. You should go there sometime if you have not. After some great food and conversation I was given some very god fried Ice Cream for dessert. Delicious! From there we went back to Kendra's house and watched Anne of Green Gables. (this was also a fabulous find. One that I had started watching and needed to finish which Maggie was nice enough to bring) A show that I love and now need to own for myself. We also had birthday cake and yes I did blow out more candles and yes they did sing to me as well. And to top it off Kendra gave me some great new books to take on my trip. It was great!

And now, I get to continue celebrating with a family birthday dinner this coming Sunday. One that I am sure will be great and full of fun and laughter. So trust me, birthdays are worth celebrating. And they are worth celebrating with all the people that you love. You should try it.