Birthday Part 2

My birthday has always been a low-key event. SO many people are gone this time of year on vacation that its virtually impossible to plan something. I planned a small BBQ for those who weren't invited to my showers this weekend, I felt bad overloading people on celebrating me. Being awesome gets tough sometimes. 

:)

Seth and I had a few hours before the BBQ so we decided to go to the zoo. I love random adventures with this guy, and it was a perfectly quiet day in San Francisco. Here are some of my favorites.

This awesome Barn Owl had a GIANT wing span. I wish I could have taken a shot of it!

Check out this turtle. If I were a turtle, I would dream of a shell like that!

Who knew peacocks had such long feathers? They were free to roam on the grounds of the zoo, it was a little nerve racking to see one haphazardly running towards you but they were used to humans!

This was my favorite peacock of all :)

I need new tires on my car. So instead of an expensive birthday dinner I asked for a BBQ that was cheap so my parents could give me money towards my tires. I think it was a pretty sweet deal. They said they would have rather gone out because it was a lot of work. Welp...sorry for trying to be efficient with money, mom and dad!

These peeps make me happy

This cake makes me even happier. Dreagers makes the best strawberry mousse cake you've ever had. Go buy it, now. 

Staredowns. All day, every day.

The boys like to snuggle...more than the average group of bros.

Angelo made a new furry friend. You can bet Autumn loved all the company. 

The fantastic girls that celebrated me all weekend. LOVE YOU!

My amazing Maid of Honor flew in ON my birthday. This is the first time I've got to see her on my birthday! My heart was full and I was so lucky to have her here. 

Bridesmaid dress + silly friend = THIS
The girls get to pick how to wear there dresses for the wedding. This is Ashley's top choice at the moment ;)

I have great friends. I had a wonderfully special birthday this year, I know 22 is going to be the best one yet!

Now, please excuse me while I go finish off that cake.

Who am I kidding, I paused in the middle of typing, went to the fridge and ate it before I was done with this post.

Now go buy it so I can create a new addict. Whoever you are, you're welcome.

Birthday Recap

Well, I survived this weekend which is hard to believe. I can't wait to tell you about all the fun that was had! I am reminded of the amazing people that God has placed in my life -- and the past few days have been the best ones this year. 

Thursday was my 22nd birthday, and my friend Toby decided a few months ago to buy tickets to see Kelly Clarkson and The Fray for it! I could bring a friend, so Haeley, Toby and I set out on Wednesday afternoon to Concord.  We decided to stay overnight in Concord, and avoid the madness of trying to drive over an hour home that night! 

We started the night with mexican food and margaritas. How else do you celebrate a birthday?!

"We'll take 2 pitchers of the Raspberry Margaritas, please!"

There was a lot of laughing. A lot of clanking glasses. And a ton of eating. Oh and did I mention margaritas? 

After dinner we hopped in a taxi to head to the venue.  And of course, taxis are the best places to take pictures, right?

It was FREEZING at the stadium. We all thought, East Bay must be HOT this time of year...well we were wrong. We snuggled up under one blanket all night, dancing when we could to warm up! Next time, you bet we will be better prepared!

And finally, the concert was amazing. Carolina Liar opened, followed by The Fray and Kelly Clarkson. I personally have been waiting to dance my a$$ of to Kelly Clarkson since I was 14 and went through my first break up. "Since You've Been Gone" was on repeat 24 hours a day during that time, I even played it on my ipon while I was sleeping. Can you say dramatic?

Thanks to my wonderful friends for making my birthday awesome. You guys rock!

Come back tomorrow for more recaps on my crazy weekend!

xo

22: A Birthday Post

5 years ago I was...

Turning 17. 

Thinking about college. 

Just had met Seth.

A senior in High School.

Wanting independence.

A baby.

SO much has happened since then. And I know I will experience the same kind of change in the next 5 years to come. 

Today as I turn 22:

I am . . .

A soon to be wifey.

A church planter.

A crafty shop owner.
A bookworm, wannabe historian, and a collector.

I want . . .

A hot yoga membership.

An endless supply of buttons.

A house on the beach.

Smaller feet.

I have . . .

A man who adores me.

Friends that spoil me.

Family that supports me.

A Savior who died for me.

I hate . . .

Olives

Cheese.

Open water.

Loud noises.
Bugs.
Bra straps that show.
The list goes on..

I wonder . . .

about life in the future. Friendships, church, jobs..

I regret . . .

Harsh words;

that I can't ever take back.

I need . . .

Lots of reassuring.

Frequent date nights.

Patience.

Coffee every morning.
Coke Zero.

I never . . .

want to plan a wedding again. amen.

I am not . . .

Brave.

Adventurous.
Spontaneous.

I rarely . . .

Swear;

I try my hardest not to let emotions cause me to say ugly things.

Wear socks;
they always get in my way!

I always . . .

Feel like I'm not doing enough; 

feelings of inadequacy run deep.
BUT.
I always know the love of Jesus surrounds me,
and that my adequacy cannot be defined by the world.

I wish . . .

The weekends were longer and the working week shorter.

That pre-wedding bliss could last forever.
That gas was free.
That girls weren't dramatic.
That bugs didn't exist. 

I love . . .

Fresh laundry

White tee-shirts

Buttons.

Puzzles.
Winnie the Pooh.

I am...22! 

Seth's Birthday Weekend

Weekends should really have no end. 

3-day weekends are wonderful, until they are over and all of the fun gets sucked back out of life. 

This week will go by super fast though -- and then it will be JUNE.

Holy crap.

There is SO much going on in the next month that it makes my head spin just thinking about it.

3 states. 1 bridal shower. 1 wedding. 1 week of camp. 

I am so excited!

That just means that I will get to have more fun weekends to share with the people I love.

This weekend we got to celebrate Seth's birthday. We started the night with some broomball and then went to our favorite local pub for some dueling pianos. 

I didn't play -- I've had a bummed calf muscle since Friday morning that still hurts! I'm glad I didn't though because so many people that came were posting pictures of their bruises the next morning!

Everyone had a great time, I'm sure we'll be doing it again! I love the perks of working at an ice rink, we got such a great deal on the ice time!

This is just one of the three amazing cakes: Strawberry Cheescake, Chocolate Mousse, and Red Velvet.

Come. To. Mama

Seth makes awesome faces when he is feeling fierce. Which is pretty much all the time. 

I am so thankful for Haeley and her picture taking because I always forget to capture these amazing times! Seth got a special birthday song sung for him by our trusty piano playing friends. This is the first year that I've been 21 and able to go out and party with him and his friends, so I enjoyed not being excluded from the festivities this year!

The rest of the weekend was pretty lazy. I love having my girlfriends home again because I can be lazy and watch trashy tv all afternoon without feeling guilty. I mean, who doesn't love 3 hours of Sister Wives? 

Until next time,

Happy Monday and Happy short week at work :)

<

Birthday Boy

Happy 24th Birthday to the best guy I know!

Today we are celebrating by eating carbs, relaxing, and playing broomball :)

I Love You!!!