Happy Birthday to ME!!!

I've never been a real fan of my birthday. Not because I was shorted on birthday parties because I wasn't or even birthday presents because I generally got what I wanted. More so it stems from the fact that things never really go as planned on my birthday. On my 16th birthday my mom took me to Cedar City to get my drivers license. I was so excited. I had on my new outfit and my hair looked cute, I was determined to rock the drivers license picture. However, when we pulled up the DMV was closed that day. They had to change the day they went to some other town that week. Yep, cried all the way home! My mom told me I'd have to wait until they came to Beaver and that was going to be in two weeks. That didn't help the situation. When my dad got home and saw how devastated I was he felt bad and we went over during his prep the next day and got my drivers license. On my 18th birthday I had to go to a track meet and stand in the cold freezing rain in Cedar and I was still very depressed from my Sterling Scholar defeat the night before. The day before my 26th birthday I had to leave to coach a track meet and the vice principal took my class for the last 10 minutes in the day. I honestly don't know how she did it but my classroom was TRASHED with confetti and shredded paper, balloons and my favorite the "Over the Hill" signs plastered all over my classroom. I walked in and literally cried. It took me two hours to clean it up. My seniors felt so bad they didn't say a word and just helped me clean. She meant well and everyone else thought it was great but I was just reminded that I was getting older. So after that being in school on my birthday was not longer an option. I plotted and planned and scheduled places to be...anywhere but school. The last couple of years I was able to take personal days and I would head up to Salt Lake and spend the day with Jana, Brett (after he got home from classes and work) and Jovie and Brock. Jana and I (even before the kids) would spend time shopping, eating at our favorite place The Olive Garden and last year we ended the day with a movie and Sweet Tooth Fairy cupcakes. I loved it. Jana's birthday is a few days before mine and so it was a fun celebration for both of us. Last year I went so far as to convince my Principal to send me to the gang conference for two days so I didn't have to go to school.

This year I had to be inventive. Brett and Jana are in Washington now and I couldn't make it up there for the weekend (no money...I hate that!). So I decided to take matters into my own hands and throw myself a little party with the help of Nikki, Mom and Dad and Brandon and Jeanette. I decided to take a personal day and not go to school that day. I was going to sleep in, watch a movie and wait for Nikki to get home from school. Nikki and I were going to go shopping, get a pedicure and whatever else we decided to do. Then later on Mom, Dad, Brandon and Jeanette were going to drive to St. George and we were going to have dinner at the Olive Garden. I sent Jana a gift card to Olive Garden for her birthday so I was hoping they would all head there that night so we could have dinner together. I should know better than to plan my perfect day because nothing ever goes right.

In the wee hours of the morning I heard the power in my house go off (not an unusual thing in Parowan). I thought to myself. Oh well I don't have to get up on time this morning and back to sleep I went. The next thing I know I am looking at a text from my friend Jeani that reads: "The power is out and won't be back on until noon. School has been cancelled!" NOOOOOOOOOOO! I jumped out of bed, stormed around my house and once again cried at the injustices of the world. Of course the one day I take off, school is cancelled and now I have provided entertainment for anyone who reads or hears this story... AWESOME!

Well I can't get ready because their is no electricity, it's raining and snowing outside, I receiving texts from faculty members laughing while wishing me Happy Birthday, my mom laughed hysterically on the phone when I called her, Brandon called to tell me I was half way to 70, Jeanette called worried about the roads, Jana laughed but had more sympathy than anyone else in the family (thanks Jana), my friend Shannon laughed, felt bad and then distracted me for an hour on the phone. Because I couldn't get ready at my house I packed up and headed to Nikki's. I went to get gas and remembered the gas pumps didn't work and so I had to risk driving to Cedar City. I made it...barely, gassed up and pulled up to Nikki's house at the same time she did. We were going to get ready for our afternoon of shopping but Coley Moley got sick. It was just too sad and hard to take him out so Nikki and I stayed in for the afternoon, made lunch and watched movies. We watched Romana and Bezus. Loved the movie...so much so I was going to be late for my own birthday dinner. I had to mad dash around and get ready. Cole was feeling better so Nikki decided to venture out with him. Mom, Dad, Brandon and Jeanette were on their way. Because it was Friday night we had to wait an hour but it was well worth it and everyone was a good sport about it. See since the Weight Watchers days began I have missed the Olive Garden and Fettuccine Alfredo and I was splurging that night. Every bit was wonderful. Even Brandon and Dad found meals to eat that they loved. We had a great time! Afterwards Nikki said we had to go back to the house that she had a surprise and she had planned a fun surprise. Mom made my favorite birthday cake and Nikki skyped Brett, Jana, Jovie and Brock, to the party. It was awesome! I loved it...!!!! Jovie was hilarious as always showing me her "sparkly" shoes every time Brock tried to talk. It was fun to see everyone.

So even though my birthday started out rough and a bit dramatic the day was salvaged by my AWESOME family. Thanks everyone for making the day fun for me!!! Here are a few pictures of the day!

Me wandering around my house...extremely frustrated with the power outage!

This is what I woke up to outside. The weather was the cause of the power outage. Darn the cold and snow!

Trying to get mom and dad to smile for a picture. It took a few times.

Finally!

How cute are my brothers and sisters? Cole just loves Brandon...that face is priceless!

I know I need a fire extinguisher!

I tried to get all the candles blown out but I came up one short.

Coley Moley hanging out smiling at all the craziness in his house.

Nikki and Mom...Nikki posing...Mom avoiding!

Brandon helping!

Jeanette looking great!

Rounding out the party goers...Dad and Roxy...chillin!