25!

My birthday this year was a wonderful one. I honestly greeted my birthday with no expectations and was blown away by how it turned out! 

"Happy birthday mom!!!"

Friday morning (my birthday) was a typical morning. Drew went to work, I got up and had breakfast with Lila, played with her, watched some youtube music videos with her, and then put her down for a nap. I showered and got ready while she napped and then a little while later Drew came home from work with a couple presents. Soon after Lila woke up so I went up to get her and he tagged along. Then the doorbell rang like (ding dong ding dong ding dong ding dong) and I asked Drew, "who is that!?" And he replied that he didn't know, but that I should go get it... So I went down stairs to answer the door and found a beautiful lemon blueberry bundt cake sitting on my front doorstep with a gift next to it. At first I thought maybe my mom had asked my friend Laura to make me that cake and to deliver it to me, but then I noticed how the glaze was drizzled on ---exactly how my mom does it--- and I said out loud, "NO WAY." 

I looked all around and then saw my parents and brother hiding around the corner of the house. I was so surprised! I ran into my mom's arms and just laughed and bawled all at the same time. So much emotion, so much surprise, and so much happiness!!! I had no idea they were coming! They had a lot going on over the weekend so I had already accepted that I wouldn't see them but WOW!! It was the best surprise ever!!! I can't even describe the emotion I felt. My happiness literally brought me to tears in my mom's arms I was sooo happy!!

They could only stay for a couple short hours, but we made the best of it! We went to Pizzeria Limone for lunch and ordered 5 different pizzas and all shared them. They were all really yummy and everyone also enjoyed them! We then grabbed some smoothies from the Orange Peel, then headed over to the mall to look for some church shoes for my mom. She found a really cute pair AND some ankle boots so that was fun!

We made it back to our house, ate some lemon blueberry cake (which I had told my mom previously during the week that I loved that kind), and opened some gifts. We played one round of this new game called "Speak Out," and laughed so hard! 

Before we knew it they had to get back on the road, but I was so happy with the time we got together. It was so good!!

After they left my friend Laura stopped by and brought me a gift! How sweet of her! She is just like family to us, and it was fun to visit with her as well. 

We had a short break in the afternoon where Drew and Lila had a nap and I just rested on the couch until dinner time. Bill and Linda drove down from Cedar to take us out to dinner! We went to one of my other favorite restaurants-- the Pasta Factory. We enjoyed yummy breadsticks and pasta, and I even got a complimentary birthday cheesecake. It was fun! 

After dinner, we stopped by Costco so they could run some errands, and then eventually made it back to the house. There, we shared some cake with them and opened more gifts! Linda got me a waffle maker, a waffle recipe book, and sugar pearls so I can make leige waffles! (Copy cat Waffeluf waffles!) It will be fun to try that out. I can't wait!

It turned out to be a wonderful birthday full of quality time with family, sweet gifts, funny games, cake, and so many kind words and birthday wishes. I'd have to say my favorite part of having a birthday is just feeling so loved. So, THANK YOU to everyone who played a part in making me feel that way! 25 is going to be a good year.

Love, 

Kate