Luckiest Girl

I feel so blessed and just plain lucky to be surrounded by so many people who show me such love. My birthday festivities started yesterday with yummy take out from Stonefire Grill and good times with two of my very special girlfriends, Kelsi & Melanie. The kids played, we snuggled babies, and laughed. There was a moment of clarity when in the midst of the madness and I said, "Guys...between the 3 of us we have 6 kids. WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN!?" It seems like yesterday we were camping out at the Kern River with our Single Adult Ward.

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Note: Don't let a 3-year-old take pictures of three women who are recently post-pardum and scrunched down in a couch. EEEEEEK! It turns out looking something like this:

Kelsi made me such a great gift. An adorable Happy Birthday banner made out of fabric so it is actually permanent! This picture does not even remotely do it justice. It's best idea ever! We get to hang it now for every Birthday. I hung it in the living room last night and when Noelle came downstairs she was so excited squealed with delight, "MOMMY! MOMMY! Look at all the letters!"

This morning started off with Birthday muffins, fruit and juice with more good friends. I had such a great time. I decided I did not want to go straight home because I would just do housework and who needs that on their birthday? We spent the afternoon over at Auntie's house. Noelle played, Madeleine napped (after her all nighter) and I played Guitar Hero (all by myself!) I completed a lot of songs and did not have to share, it was a blast!

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This evening was dinner with my dear, sweet husband. He made reservations at an Israeli restaurant in Encino that he does business with. It was so fun! Look at all of these little plates of all kinds of vegetables, salads, and breads. I ate the BEST, BEST, BEST, cauliflower....it was unbelievable. They won't tell you what's in it, either! We counted 27 different little plates and that did not include your main course. Aaron had a steak and I had salmon. It was to die for, such fresh delicious food. The whole experience was fantastic.

Look at all the loot I've collected!

I just have to reiterate what great people I have in my life. Every gift were things I said in passing during conversations and they remembered. A package arrived from Texas yesterday with a wok because I had told Amy, "My fried rice never turns out...I think because my pan is too small, I really need a wok." Now I have one! Plus, a Chinese and a Thai Cookbook.

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I asked Jo if I could borrow her book, The Flat Belly Diet, instead she bought me one. (It's not a gimmick either, written by the editor of Prevention Magazine.) A good friend is one who will by you a diet book!
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Julianna brings me daffodils and fresh blueberries because I always buy frozen, they're so much cheaper. I can't wait for the day when I can just walk into Costco and by the fresh ones without feeling guilty.

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Liz gives me luscious cream and special moisturizing socks because I just adore stuff like that. Especially for my feet!

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I sent Aaron a text telling him exactly what I wanted from Costco including the price so there would be no confusion (the lessons I've learned over the course of our marriage!) He came home with a cupcake holder and the world's most comfortable flip-flop-memory-foam-things that are perfect to wear on our tile floors. Plus, some tulips to make the whole thing 'more personal.'

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Now is time to reveal the BIG KAHUNA...the thing that brought me to tears. Because someone I love so much wanted me to experience some Birthday Magic, and be giddy over a complete surprise!

Now I get to buy a Wii Fit, YIPEEEEEE!

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Last but not least I got to be with my special Angel Baby Girls. How could your Birthday not be the best when you get to haul this around with you? No picture of Noelle today because she was just too busy. I love the fact that Madeleine is currently immobile.

And it's not even over! Tomorrow night is a birthday dinner with Auntie and Unc. I'm being spoiled rotten and I love every minute of it!