Happy Birthday to me!

I had a birthday (shout hurray!) at this beginning of this month.  I wouldn’t blog about, except that my husband gave me flowers…and that’s blog worthy! 

Here he is with them:

And here I am:

The nice thing about digital cameras is that you can take as many as you want until you find a good one.  This wasn’t the best.  But, I sure look happy!  I’ve never been happier!

He also got off at 5:00 (during busy season!) to take me to dinner!  And he bought me some fake limes and lemons that I really wanted for center pieces.  Oh…and a golf book (that’s the book displayed by the flowers).     

If only I could patent this.

My friend, Bonnie, stopped by yesterday with a huge bunch of lilacs.   My house smells just how I hope heaven will smell.

                                                                                   I put a big bunch on kitchen island.

And some on my window sill in my little vases.

And then I smelled their divine smell and started thinking…you know how advanced computers and cell phones are these days.  You can talk to someone through the computer and see them…what if you could smell what they were smelling.  Imagine!  I want to be able to send the scent of lilacs to everyone I know and love.  Today, I would send a whiff of these lilacs to my friend Andrea.  It’s her birthday and I love her!  She is a good, good friend!  One of my very best.  I’d also send a whiff to my sister’s, sister-in-law, Nicole.  She just had prenatal surgery on the little baby inside of her.  She has a lot of faith and strength.  I’d also send a whiff to my mom—because I adore her!

April 15th.

Today is a big day for many reasons. 

First of all, my little sister (8 years younger than me!) left on her mission.  She was called to the England Birmingham mission and will serve there for 18 months.  She was supposed to fly straight to England, but because of visa problems, she is going to the MTC in Provo first.

Here she is last night with my parents being set apart as a missionary.

Here she is with her companions:

She will be a fantastic missionary!  She is faithful and bubbly!

When I left on my mission, she was only 13 years old.  She wrote me almost every week.  I loved her letters.  I told her I would write her every week…what was I thinking?!  I’ll do my best!  I’ll miss you, Annie! The other reason I’m loving today is because my husband is officially done with busy season for accounting.  Woohoo!

It actually wasn’t too bad.  He has been going into work quite early every morning for many months.  But, he hasn’t had to stay too late.  Even this week, he came home by 7:30 or 8:00 every evening.  Still, it will be nice to have home a little earlier, and nice for him not to have to get up so stinking early!  Yay, Bri!

And the final reason I’m loving today is that 29 years ago one of my favorite people was born:  Jill. 

Jill and I became close friends at BYU and were roommates for several years before she got married.  She’s a good friend!  She’s thoughtful, generous, a good listener, and funny!  I remember many nights talking in bed until we fell asleep.  I may have been a little depressed when she got married.  We don’t talk much anymore—neither of us really like the phone—which is another good reason to be friends—we deserve each other that way.  But, I talked to her today, and was reminded of how grateful I am for her friendship.  I’m glad you were born, Jill!

Andrea, Jill, Juli, Holly, and me (Yellow House roommates)

And to top it all off the weather is amazing today in Troutdale!  So many reasons to celebrate today!