One year older... and wiser too?

Yesterday was my big quarter of a century old birthday. Yep, I can hardly believe it but I am 25. For some reason going from 24 to 25 is a bigger deal then going from say 23 to 24. Weird. You know what is amazing about being 25 is, I am still so young. While I feel like I have accomplished so many things, being a member of the church, going to the temple, high school and college diplomas, getting married, having a baby, buying a house, traveling to 17 countries and a dozen states, meeting a whole bunch of wonderful people, with some odd ones in there too, learning music, reading and writing, etc...., there are still so many more things to see and do, and many more people to meet. What a wonderful life. I really am grateful to be alive, and am grateful for all of the many more birthdays that are forthcoming, especially since my birthday was not up there on the top of my most wonderful days of the year.

Yesterday was a hard day for us, here in the Hull house. First off Michael has been hanging on to this weird cold for a long time. He has been really weak, and feeling cold, and really not able to do a whole lot. Still he has been trying to plug along at home and at work. And work has been busy recently. At the end of every year the finance team has to put a huge presentation together for the board members of the company. They basically plan all of next year's finances. (I would try to explain more, but I don't really get all of that stuff :) ) Really it's a lot of work and last year, the week before the meeting they worked 100 hours. Luckily it's not that bad this year. Anyway, so Michael has been working late a number of days the last few weeks, which naturally makes it a challenge to get over a cold. It also makes it a challenge to do things for my birthday. So with all of that background my day ran as follows: I got up and Michael started making me my choice of breakfast, oatmeal and toast. He then went to work and Emma and I went for a walk. After our walk, and Emma having a hard time going down for her nap, which isn't normal, I cleaned the bathrooms and the kitchen. (so this was my choice, my visiting teachers were coming today and I already had the other half of the house clean, so I wanted to finish) Then during the rest of the afternoon and evening, I put the finishing touches on the cake I made the night before, made my birthday dinner, and tried not cry while fixing a beautiful wooden ornament Emma broke. After all of that I was hopping to at least have the dinner with Michael. Unfortunately, as before mentioned, work was busy and Michael was going to come for the end of dinner. Well, as he was in the car, on his way home, his boss calls him and wants him to come back to work, even with Michael feeling sick as a dog. (Needless to say his manager is a great person, and really knows their stuff, but as a manager they are awful!) So, instead of eating dinner as a family, I had dinner on my "you are special today" birthday plate by myself, well Emma was there, but you know what I mean.

So, Michael finally got home after 8, while I was giving Emma her bath. After the bath, and few upsetting tears shed, I sat with Michael as he tried to eat something. And finally at 9pm we put some candles on my cake, tried to sing "Happy Birthday", and ate my cake.

I don't think I will be able to have this cake next year, not enough room for the candles

As far as presents go, I knew what they were, since I picked them out with Michael on Saturday; but instead of seeing them on our dresser I could actually wear them and watch it.

Real pearls!

A family favorite, which we watched to end the day.

Needless to say, it was an interesting day, birthday or not. And poor Michael, it really wasn't his fault, even if there were times in the day when I wanted to blame him. I don't think I have ever seen him so hurt and mad. Thank goodness for more birthdays!!

However, even with that roller coaster there were some good things. Michael's parents called me and I was able to talk to my mother-in-law for 30 minutes are so. Which really was enjoyable. She is a joy to talk too, I have been blessed with good in laws. And they have a present on the way for me. Also my parents called me from Germany, making it possible for me to talk to Oma for a couple of minutes. On top of that a couple of friends randomly called, came by, or sent me an email wishing me a happy birthday. All of which brightened my day. Plus, since we anticipated a crazy work week, Michael took me out last weekend to the Cheesecake factory, yummy!!!! Afterwards we went to Lowe's and bought a real Christmas tree. All in all it has been an interesting birthday. But I really am so blessed, and shouldn't complain. I really am not looking for any sympathy, I am sure after this post you aren't convinced of that, but since this is in a way my journal, I just wanted to spill the beans. Yummy, yummy!!

Our beautiful tree. And yes all of the ornaments are on the top half of the tree. Oh Emma!