31 reasons to be Happy:D

Yep that's right, I turned 31 today.  It was a little scary at first but then I started to think of all the reasons I am happy and blessed.  So I thought I would share them since I can do what I want on my birthday, right?

1-Getting flowers for my birthday!  Anyone who knows me knows I love receiving flowers!!! Thank you to 3 people (you know who you are:)
2-Having 3 parties over the last week, including a surprise party, tea party, and my family party.
3-I have the best family! I love and get along with them all.
4-I have a job that supports me.
5-The thing that will always make me the happiest is THE GOSPEL!
6-I finished reading the Book of Mormon today and will forever be blessed, humbled, and learn from the teachings therein.
7-Wow, can you talk about great friends!!!  I have felt so loved this birthday:)
8-I get to go camping this weekend.
9-I enjoyed a Diamond Rio concert last night.  They are one of my favorite groups and I love my memories of being introduced to and listening to country music because of my Mom.
10-Phone calls from people I haven't heard from in awhile.  I should be trying more often to call them (luv you Gram).

11-Dating, yes I said dating.  As much as any of us would rather be married I am learning a lot and like to get to know people.
12-Good books, just finished reading another 500 pager today that I loved (that was in addition to the Book of Mormon).
13-Cute babies and kids.  They bring smiles to my face almost daily.  I enjoyed E's besos during facetime the other day.  I miss that chick!
14-New cars.  I talked about that in my last post.
15-My favorite season coming up.  I adore Fall!
16-This number makes me think of my 16th birthday.  My parents got me a makeover/photo shoot and then flew me to visit my Aunt in California.  I will forever remember that trip since she is not longer here on earth, but I look forward to seeing her again someday.
17-I love animals.  That doesn't mean I want to have one in my house right now especially with my allergies, lol. I do look forward to having a dog one day.
18- Medicine!  Enough said.
19-Ice Cream.  I am back off sugar, but my Dad brought me an ice cream cone today.
20-Fasting and the strength it gives me!!!  I love that the Lord will always answer a prayer to be strengthened.
21-My bed.  I know most people probably think this, but I think I love my bed more then the average person.
22-The beautiful rainbow I saw tonight, not to mention the amazing sunsets that have been happening lately.
23-Appliances, yep I love that they make life easier.
24-Growing older.  It's true, I really am wiser!
25-People listening to me, I mean really listening.  I love when someone knows me well.  With that being said I am trying to work on listening better too.
26-So blessed to have two great Mom's. I need extra love, especially since I don't have sisters!
27-Tennis is a passion more of late.  Can anyone out there really play and challenge me?
28- I am learning not to be so judgmental.  If the Savior loves all of us do you think it is because he knows us?  So if I am judging it is because I need to get to know someone better!
29- Health.  So grateful for exercise and healthy foods to eat.
30- Attitude!  I think so much of life can be determined by how we think and I am HAPPY!
31-  I am just happy to be me:)

Party hard!!!

So my birthday is in a couple of days, but I feel like I have been celebrating for the last week.  This is a stark difference from traveling home from my Mother's funeral last year.  Thursday night two dear friends threw me a surprise birthday party.  I have never had a party thrown for me before, let alone a surprise one.  I am not easily surprised, although I love surprises, they got me good though.  I was so embarrassed!  This party featured some of my favorite foods...donuts and chips/salsa.  The next day I went to lunch with a friend and then Saturday I had planned a tea party with some of my closest friends from over the years.  We had some of the best food and I was pleasantly happy that my cookies seemed to be a favorite.  I made homemade wedding mints and thumbprint cheesecake cookies.  I also had some herbal tea and a veggie tray.  It was so fun to see some friends that I haven't seen in awhile and others who are dear to me now.  Then later I went with other friends to a movie and dinner.  Today my family celebrated my birthday with my request (each year we get to request the menu).  We had veggie spring rolls, coconut curry, and fruit pizzas for dessert.  So here are a few pictures from the tea party, not everyone was pictured as some left earlier (sorry Lyndall, Nicolle, Sarah and Michelle)...

Emily, Lara, Misty, Amber, Carol, and Mikaela

New Car

Ya, ya, I know it has been awhile since I have posted, but who reads this anyways?  I have been pretty busy and had more spiritual thoughts on my mind.  The new thing in my life is a car!!!  I had a harder time then I thought trading in my Subaru Legacy.  I guess I had grown attached.  What was I looking for in a new (used) car?  Most importantly, better gas mileage, then the color, oddly, I didn't want a dark colored or red car.  After that I wasn't too picky, besides wanting to keep what I owed about the same.  Overall I am loving my Prius, but trying to get used to all the touch electronic stuff.  So here's the old and new:D

Diamond Rio

I am going to see Diamond Rio later this month and am so excited!  Seriously all of their songs are good.  I appreciate their uplifting, meaningful lyrics too.  "I believe" is one of my favorites.  It reminds me that we need to say I love you and show love to our family and friends everyday because we never know when they may be gone.  I have been thinking about this a lot lately, I think because my friends Mom died this last week.  People have always been so important to me and I try to remind myself of that daily.  So far in my life I have lost my closest Aunt, Grandma, and most recently my Mom.  It is never too late to tell someone you love them.  I am to a point in my life were I want to spend as much time as I can with my parents and siblings.  The great news is even if a loved one passes on we will see them one day if we live a righteous life.  So to all of you out there that may read this post, I love you!  Hopefully you will tell your family and friends that today also!

Here is another one of my favorite songs that they sing:)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jayr9v6l74