Happy Birthday to Me!

I have a confession. I haven't been the happiest person ever this week. Let me tell you why. Reality hit, BIG TIME!

Reality check #1:
Birthdays as an adult, just aren't as fun as when you were a kid or teenager. Growing up, my mom did 'Birthday Week'. This included: favorite meals all week long, shotgun all week long (riding in front), no chores all week long, favorite tub of ice cream all to ourselves, two favorite cereals all to ourselves, birthday surprises in our lunch all week, birthday signs all over the house all week, etc. The list goes on.

Reality check #2:
I'm getting older. I realize, i'm not old, just OLDER. This concept has really never hit before.

Reality check #3:
I have kids. So no matter how much I want to have just a relaxing day and happy day, there is bound to be whining, tears, hitting, time out, bonks, messes, sugar highs and lows and tired arms from holding a two year old and 9 month old at the same time. Although, there are MORE good things that come out of that as well, like hugs, kisses, hillarious statements that usually don't make any sense, laughs, goofiness, etc.

Reality check #4:
It's just another day.

Having said that, I've been quite bitter this week. I was not looking forward to my birthday and honestly, just wanted it to pass and be done with. Mind you, I usually LOVE my birthday. I'm a HUGE birthday fan. This year, something has changed. I was bitter about it.

Well, let me just tell you what transpired today. I woke up this morning in a not very good mood. Went in to check on my monkeys who were playing in Addy's crib. In comes Nate and asks Hailey if she wants to go somewhere with him. They return about 40 minutes later and Hailey runs in with flowers in her hand yelling "Happy Birthday Mommy!" Then Nate pulls out breakfast from Kneaders.. yum!
We hung out for awhile all together when Nate gave me my first gift.. a card. Let me tell you, I was SO excited. There is nothing that means more to me than to hear how much he loves me and appreciates me. Yep.. I cried. Along with the card was money to get some new clothes which I have been wanting for awhile now. I was SO EXCITED. Then.. He had to head off to an auction in SLC. The girls and I went to a birthday party for Sol, their little friend who was turning 1. They had SO much fun. It was great for me, because they were out of my hair and having a blast! :-) Then, my cousin Rachel came over to babysit while we went to dinner at Tucanos... yum again!
After dinner, we came home, put our VERY tired and cranky babies to bed and when I came downstairs after singing B-I-N-G-O to Hailey for the 30th time today, Nate told me my present was on the kitchen counter. I went in the kitchen to find a brand new video camera. AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!! WHAT THE??? I could not believe how much he took care of and spoiled me today... and yes, I cried again.

Now, I feel guilty for how bitter I have been all week. At the same time, I think it helped me to be even more excited at all the surprises Nate had up his sleeve. Those of you who know my past with holidays, know how much this means to me. He is the best. I can't even tell you enough how much this all meant.. and what it comes down to, the sweet words on the card he gave me this morning.

Aside from this, I have AMAZING friends and family who have given gifts, left messages, texts, facebooks, phone calls, etc to wish me a happy birthday and I have never felt more thought of an loved as I have today. It's quite overwhelming.

Thank you everyone and i'm sorry to my birthday for hating you! :-)

I love you Nate, for making my day the best it could possibly be.