28 years & 28 weeks

On Monday I turned 28, on Tuesday I turned 28 weeks, and I'm due the 28th of June! (Am I the only person that thinks that's cool?! Blame it on my birthday--4/4--I've always had a thing with numbers.)

We had such a nice time celebrating. Jacob was so sweet to buy my favorite flowers--calla lillies. This yellow vase housed the first calla lillies he ever bought for me nearly 8 years ago. They were yellow and if I remember right he called all over town for them. Such a sweetheart. These are still shining bright on my piano today. I just think they're so beautiful.

I wasn't feeling the greatest on Monday, so after a little post-work nap, we had a low-key dinner at Casa Vega, a famous Mexican restaurant not far from where we live. It was fun, I was serenaded and got free birthday flan, but I'll take my Rosa's or Gecko Grill over this place any day! Sorry Hollywood.

The next day I ended up having the day off so Jacob and I spent it together getting ready for our cupcake party to celebrate my birthday. That's right--I still don't think I'm too old to throw myself a party! I love to host and if I could, I would take all my friends and family on a cruise or to Disneyland, so in lieu of that this was an excellent alternative.

And we happily had QUITE the turnout. I love that so many of our friends came. Tight quarters and very tricky parking won't stop us party animals! We all had a ball! I'm so glad they would come and be such gracious guests.

This is the best shot I have of the display--check out the darling four-tier server (thanks Cammy!) and the darling bowls (thanks Rachel!) from Christmas that had a place of honor. We made carrot cake, strawberry lemonade, and peanut butter chocolate cupcakes (my favorite of the three.)
Just a little sprinkling of some of my favorite people, and they're all in our ward! (from L to R): Kirsten Heder, Sarah Heder, Erin McKay, and Diana Hoppe

Mandie and Owen Peterson, who serve in the Primary, and their son Cairo.

Sarah Champion and me. She works with me in Primary and has earned the title of my personal lifesaver.

Jacob and the brothers: Drew and Scott Champion


Erin, me, and Sarah (photo courtesy of Sarah and her fancy Hipstomatic skills)


Rich (guest of Lisa Staub), Jake, Drew, and Eric Anderson

Alli Spencer and Kathy Nelson--I just love these people

And the BIG gift, as if all of that was not enough, was getting TV! We have not had any tv service--as in, no channels at all--for over a year, and the hotel before that had limited viewing, so I'm happy to say I have spent much of my birthday week watching What Not to Wear, for the first time in the better part of 2 years, and HGTV!!! I don't mean to be singing the praises of something as trivial as television, but oh well, watch me go! We got the tv (SUCH a deal--better even than what we almost bought at Christmas) just in time for Conference last weekend and well in time for the Masters this weekend--the ultimate of all golf majors in Jacob's mind. We were able to give away our 20-inch box television we bought seven years ago to a happy family and we haven't looked back!

All in all it's been a very good week. I have one more week of work, which I'm really happy about because this week my energy's taken a bit of a nose dive, and I'm ready to use what's left of it for getting ready for baby. Jacob is starting his new job on Tuesday, finally! His initial start date was January, and it's been repeatedly pushed back, so we are very happy (and still crossing our fingers) to see this day come. It's a great opportunity and I am really, really proud of him.

Thanks to everyone who offered their sweet birthday wishes and gifts! You guys are so sweet. It's so nice to know the people you love, love you back! XOXO