Oh, What a Birthday!

I've never had a happier one. Or a more surprising one. Let me start from the beginning.

I wasn't really looking forward to my birthday this year. 26 is certainly nothing to get excited about, and lately I've been feeling a little down about some things that I won't go into right at this moment. And then add to that the two weeks I've been sick this month with bronchitis and the fact that I received my first pair of glasses (after years of bragging about my superb 20/20 vision) AND a super stylish inhaler all in the same day - let's just say that I haven't been feeling so hot these days!

Enter Friday. Rick gets tons of credit here. He, at the last minute, decides to throw me a surprise party. Now, thankfully I caught wind of it several hours beforehand because unknowingly walking into a houseful of guests could have quite possibly sent me over the edge. I'm not a huge fan of surprises; something about me always feeling the need to be in control? Ha! But you ladies know what I'm talking about. We need time to make sure our houses are tidy and our hair and makeup is just right before welcoming 20+ people into our homes.

I was still feeling a little under the weather, but I had a fantastic time at the party and was really able to let loose and relax a little, which is just what I needed. The next day we had planned a short camping trip with a few friends. Had a great time and laughed at all of the hiccups in the trip - from me being completely worthless due to the festivities of the night before, from Rick forgetting the tent poles and rigging our tent with sticks, to Lindsay having a brief I-just-realized-I'm-not-the-camping-type-of-girl meltdown, to Jon winning the world record for loudest snoring EVER, to Ashley insisting Germ-X is a suitable substitute for a shower despite Joel's shrieking pleas for relief. Ha ha! I had a fantastic weekend - I don't know what I would do without all of my friends and family...they are all so great and I love them dearly! Thanks for some fantastic birthday memories.

Mmmm....cupcakes.....

I got several bottles of wine. And now I'm patiently waiting to be able to enjoy a glass!

That is one sad looking tent.

A couple of MacGyvers...they were so proud of themselves.

Joel Bug!

Fast forward to Monday: my actual birthday. Rick and I took the day off from work to spend together and do some shopping, but I just couldn't seem to get motivated (or out of bed). My case of the blahs was back with a vengeance, and on top of that I was still feeling really run down. As I was lying there (trying to get motivated), I reflected on the fact that with each passing year birthdays are just less and less exciting. My last thought as I finally got my butt out of bed was that I was a little bummed that I didn't have a gift to open on my actual birthday. Does God have a great sense of humor or what?!

I really have no clue what made me decide to take the test. I had taken one Friday morning because I just haven't been feeling right the last week or so. It was negative on Friday and I didn't think anything of it. That morning the last of two tests was sitting on the counter and I just mindlessly picked it up and...well, peed on the stick. And just when I thought there were no more birthday surprises in store, God gave me the best gift imaginable.

I had played out a million times in my head the way I would tell Rick the news if we were to ever get pregnant. It was a cute little plan that included our dogs and of course I was going to be there with the camera in hand to capture his reaction. Those plans flew right out the window the instant the timer flashed into those 8 little letters. I forgot all about the camera, but believe me, I will never forget the look on Rick's face when I bombarded him with news.

This will truly go down in the books as my most memorable and exciting birthday ever!