Happy 23rd

I had my 23rd birthday on the 27th of July.
It's weird that I am only 23. If you would have asked me when I was 18 where I would have been at this point I probably would have said I would be working out of state (doing hair in NY maybe), traveling the world, and getting some real life experience and adventure. Well that seems like what 23 year olds do. Nope, not this one. I own a home, I am a landlord, I have been married for almost 4 years, I have two kids, I own my own business, and I would be telling my 18 year old self that you don't know what the heck REAL LIFE is about until your a mother. Forget traveling the world... your kids teach you all you need to know about life and happiness and they are the real adventure.
So I don't feel 23... I feel... just old, but in a good way. Old in the kind of way that you earn through life experience. If I am aged sooner then the rest of the people out there born in 1988, well I sure earned it by some late nights with a baby, busy day chasing kids, cleaning and laundry, making dinner, and doing some hair... basically working my tail off and learning to love the journey.

We celebrated the big day by starting off with breakfast that didn't go quite as planned...
Brandon busted his butt to get off UPS early to meet the girls and I at Magleby's Fresh for my favorite, french toast. Well I am sure my alarm went off because I checked to make sure it was set... twice. But when I woke up 1/2 hour late to Brandon's phone call, I felt SICK. I just knew when my phone started ringing that I hadn't woken up on time. I am not sure when my alarm went off, but I am sure that I was the special spirit that turned it off. Anyways, Brandon just ended up bringing breakfast home for me and I felt so guilty that he went out of his way for me and I was a DORK! The one perk about the whole thing is he did somehow get breakfast for FREE. Free stuff always makes sleeping through your alarm less annoying ;)
Well, Brandon didn't give up on me and decided to meet me and the girls for lunch at Chili's... I made it, few. While at lunch Irey gave me a gift that her and my mom picked out together. Irey was SO excited about my birthday and was giddy about giving me a gift. It was a necklace that had a penny on it and stamped on the penny it says, Lucky Mom. I thought it was so cute and wear it all the time and Irey is sure to remind me that she gave me that necklace.

 I really do feel like such a lucky mom. I love my girls. I can't say that enough!

 After lunch I told Irey I needed to take a nap and so we needed quiet time. I told her she could watch a movie on my bed with me or she could play dolls in my room. She played dolls and I got Reese ready for her nap. While I was doing this, Irey was giving Reese this speech about how it's my birthday and Reese needs to be a good girl and sleep good and not cry because mommy needs a nap and it's my birthday and so she need to mind me. I think she said it's my birthday like 10 times. Well I did get a nap and it was wonderful. The only thing I would change about my b-day is next year I sure hope I don't have EBV, because this chronic fatigue could dampen any day especially your birthday.
For dinner that night I decided to try some place new. So my family and I went to Sukura. It's has a fun atmosphere and of course the company wasn't to shabby;)

Brandon busted his butt all day to make sure my birthday was awesome. Later, I was told he was running around his office wrapping presents and what not. He was sure stressed about making it a special day. Knowing that alone, makes me feel kinda bad he was so stressed BUT it also made my day SO special. It feels great to know someone cares enough about your birthday to go out of their way to make it a good day. He made sure to get me a ice-cream cake (my fav) and I was so impressed that he wrapped my presents himself! They even had matching ribbon... what man A: actually wraps a gift and then B: goes the extra extra mile and borrows ribbon from a co-worker/ friend (thanks Kelsey) to finish the job. GOSH I love him.

 Oh yea, the actual gifts were awesome too, he got me books (always a safe bet and the way to my heart), shirts (ok another way to my heart), and a GC to get a massage, pedi, and facial (ok, he got a little more then just a kiss for that one;>). My sisters and parents gave me some dang cute stuff too. Amy&Dev- got me a tunic/shirt in my FAVORITE color of green, Jamie&Luke- a book and a dress(I could wear a dress everyday), Jen&Jake- sassy wedges (you can never have too many shoes, that's a fact), Mom&Dad, clothes and a purse in my favorite color of green. And my little bro C.J. aka: mom- got me some cute earrings. I felt so spoiled but mostly loved because everything that everyone got me was something that is so me, and I felt like all the gifts were very thoughtful.

I got to celebrate with the Blackwell fam the following sunday. We had a yummy dinner and then Brenda was a sweetheart and also got me a ice-cream cake. Yea, I could eat ice-cream cake once a week, no problem;)

I also got a way cute and sassy purse as well as some $$$ which I will be putting to good use ASAP.

I know for some people birthdays are not a big deal... but to me and mine, they are a HUGE deal. I know how loved and special I feel on my b-day and I love to make those I love feel the same on their b-day. Well Mr. Blackwell's birthday is around the corner and after how sweet he was for my Birthday.... oh man I am giddy with how excited I am for his!!!