Its so hard to come back to real life... especially after such a glorious weekend!!
The original purpose of my too quick trip to Utah was for my little sisters graduation... and then I realized that my birthday was two days later and then Memorial day the day after that... so why not make a whole long weekend of it... besides its been forever since I've been with my family for my birthday... and so I did... spent my birthday with my family... and spent way too much to fly my husband out for just two days but who wants to spend their birthday without their husband? Not me.
We got home late late Monday night and my house is a wreck and it looks like my suitcases threw up all over my living room and I have piles of work to do and stuff to get ready for girls camp next week and the lists just keep getting longer. But I'm happy. And had the best birthday weekend in forever. And how cute was my husbands birthday post. He's the best. Love him! And thanks for all the comments and birthday wishes!
So in no particular order of events or happiness here is my list of the top ten from the long weekend...
1. It's so nice to be loved. I think that's one of the most important lessons that I've recognized as I've become an adult... the blessing of a family and the support group... Growing up I totally took for granted the family structure that I was raised in... as I got out in to the world I realized not every one has what I have... it doesn't seem fair but I appreciate it so much and recognize the blessing of it in my life...
.... my flight was late, my baggage took forever and by the time I got to my parents house it was after midnight and as I walked up the porch I saw this cute little sign hanging on the door for me... and I just got this totally overwhelming feeling of how nice it is to be loved... 
2. Birthday shopping at Robert's. Best Craft Store in the whole wide world. Dropped all my birthday money there. And had so much fun doing it!
3. Family party with my mom's family... they're an eclectic group... but always fun to see some of my favorite cousins (Hi Tammy!)
4. Watching my baby sister graduate from High School. When the graduation march started the tears started. Proud of her. So excited for her and this new chapter in her life.
5. Goodies from my dad who just got home from Jerusalem last week... he goes over several times a year doing private tours for groups... new leather moses sandals and yummy candy! And the funnest part is that we've planned a FAMILY trip for 2009. We've wanted to do this forever but I think its really going to happen. No random extended family, no random church members, no third cousins once removed... just my parents, siblings and spouses... I begged and pleaded for Christmas time but no one else went for it since they've all done it before (except for me... I came home and got married and didn't get to do Christmas over there)... so I was out voted and it looks like Spring. Who cares! I get to go back to Jerusalem!! Wahoooo!!
6. Birthday Paloooza! So much fun! My family spoiled me! Tons of sweet cards and emails from friends... gifts and a birthday dinner... so much fun!!
7. Trip to my mother in laws for a day. Always fun to see my husbands family.
8. Jumping on the trampoline with my nieces. They were so funny... I'd hold them while somebody bounced us and they would laugh and laugh... and then I would laugh and they would laugh harder ... it was so funny.
9. Spending time with my family. They seriously are the best. Sunday after church we said our goodbyes to them and I just felt this overwhelming amount of love for each and every one of them. Didn't bring my camera to church so I missed a great photo op. Adore them!!
10. Alice the camel. Its a game that I love to play. My family really just humors me but I make them do it every time we're together.
11. Group hugs. They humor me on that too.
Feel blessed beyond measure... if this birthday is any indication of how this next year is going to be then I'm in for a wonderful year ahead!!