The Big 25

So I turned 25 this week.  I can't mark the "18-24" age group for surveys and anonymous statistical information forms.  It's a big deal, I know.

For some reason birthdays always make me think back to the things I have and haven't done in my life. I haven't done much anyone will remember in my life, but here's a few of the things I am proud of...

I got married for all eternity to the most amazing man
I graduated college (Associate degree, but still, it's a degree I am proud of)
I became a mommy
I bought a house (and since then have sold it)
I became a mommy all over again, but this time without the assistance of an epidural (purposely)
I bought a minivan
I completed a sprint triathlon
I raced in a half-marathon
I raced in a marathon and achieve my goal time of under 4 hours
I became much more confident in my home canning abilities
After some scares and blessings, I became a mommy for a third time (again without an epidural)

What things am I currently doing?

Trying to train for some more races.  Definitely a half marathon and possibly another full.
Trying daily to be a better mother to my 3 boys (includes trying to keep my sanity in the process).
Trying to be supportive of a husband working 2 jobs and getting his masters degree (again, here's where my sanity is at risk).
Trying to serve the Lord and show my love for him through my obedience to the small and seemingly big things he wants me to do.
Hoping I keep my figure!

Life is so wonderful.  It is stressful, fulfilling, sad, exciting, hard, fun, and so much more.  I am blessed beyond what I deserve.  I am happy, healthy, have an amazing family, and food in my pantry.  I can only pray my next 25 years will be as good as the last.

Here's how the week went:

10th
Today I had a few favorite moments.  One was when I went to the Verizon store to get a new phone.  Mine has been in serious danger of completely dying and I have been putting off getting a new one.  So, I finally went to get one and my brother came along.  I was set on getting one without a data plan and sticking to the cheapest options, but then I started playing with the iPhone.  We have a few apple products and love them all.  I knew I would want an iPhone if I really knew all it could do.  It was really fun to sit and listen to my brother explain tons of advantages, options, and features of the iPhone.  So, I gave in and I am so glad I did!  I love it!  But, the best part about getting my new amazing phone, was the fun my brother and I had in the store together.  We don't have many moments like that so I really enjoyed it.

Then...after getting my awesome new phone, my brother dropped me off to have dinner with Devin.  It was a birthday date dinner at The Deli.  We love that place and this time was no different.  Devin told me about work and we talked about some of our future plans.  Every time I get a date with Devin, I am reminded how amazing he is and how much we belong together.  Date nights are the best!

11th

Today is my birthday!  I had lots of favorite moments.  The first was when I went out to the kitchen to get breakfast and saw the bowl of cream of wheat Devin had made for me.  It's one of my favorites!

Later, Devin came home for lunch and made sure the boys' meals were all taken care of - including dishes!  Then, my mom took me, the boys, Jeni, and Joshua all out for ice cream.  We got Thrifty ice cream, which was super yummy!  Poor Ollie was jealous he couldn't have any yet!  He just got Cheerios!

After coming back from ice cream, I got ready and took the boys to spend the night at Nana's so I could go to my Relief Society meeting since Devin wouldn't be home to leave them with.  I opened my present from the family of a nail salon gift card (for a pedi), a movie theater gift card, and dinner gift card to my favorite, Buca de Beppo, plus free babysitting!  Another date night!

So off to Relief Society I went, happy to know I would have the day to myself (and Ollie) until Devin got home from work when we would go out for another date together!

And...between there sometime my mom and dad brought me a cupcake with a candle so I could make a wish.  It was sweet.

That night, Nana had to call because Jaxon was upset that he forgot to give me my birthday card.  What a sweet little boy!  He told me he did not want me to be sad and think he forgot about my birthday.  I told him I knew he did not forget because he gave me super big birthday hugs earlier and it would be okay for him to make a card tomorrow.  He feet better after we talked for a little bit.  That boy has such a tender little heart.  I hope he stays sweet and kindhearted.  I am so blessed.

12th

Today was great because I got some nice time to myself.  I love my boys more than anything in the world, but it is really nice to have some time for myself too.  Ollie didn't stay with Nana and Papa since he is still nursing.  He woke up at 6:00, which was kind of a bummer, but, after playing for about an hour, he went back to sleep until 9:30.  So...so did I!  It was so great!  I n.e.v.e.r get to sleep in so it was really, really, really nice!  Every once in a while Devin will get up with the boys on the weekend and let me stay in bed, (and even then my sleep is interrupted with noises from the boys playing) but pretty much since Ollie was born, I'm up early to feed him every day.  So, anyway, I really enjoyed the peace and quiet that allowed me to sleep in.  After a nice workout and playing with Ollie, I put him back down for his nap and was able to do some playing with my new phone to get it set up and synced with my desktop.  Uninterrupted computer time is also something I don't enjoy much of, so that was really nice too.

After Devin got off, we dropped Ollie off with Nana and Papa and headed out for date number two for the week.  Multiple birthday celebrations are so great.  I don't think I've celebrated my own this many times in one year before, but I think I want this to happen every year!  It was once again so wonderful to spend the time with Devin.  Having him gone Monday through Thursday nights (and every other Saturday) is really hard for me.  I love when we get time together.  Our date was amazing, then we picked up the kids and headed home just in time to watch an episode of Smallville, only one of the best shows ever!

We still have our movie gift card (none of the times worked for our schedule today) and my pedi gift card for next weekend.

13th

Today my favorite moment was during our cheese party.  Yep, it was actually at Elisha and Josh's.  They got 9 cheeses from around the world for us to taste.  It was so fun!  We got a few ideas and plan on doing it again too!  It was so fun to visit with Josh, Devin, and Aaron about the creepy expired food store and joke about how weird, yet awesome it is.  Adult time is nice.  Laughing is even better.

14th

Today was my birthday Sunday dinner.  Devin's family came over and made me a beef roast, veggies, noodles, gravy, and fruit.  Devin made a (frosting-less) chocolate cake from scratch and mocha ice cream (coffee free).  It was all a.mazing!  The food was fabulous and the company was even better.  It was such a fun week of alone time, Devin date time, and family time.  So far, it feels good to be 25!

My mom got me a Road ID bracelet for when I go running.  It's awesome!  If you are a runner, get one.  Find them here.


PS...I did post all about our summer.  I cheated and backdated so they posts look like they were done on time:)