Birthday Paul

I was really excited about Paul's birthday this year! Probably because I felt very on top of things this year. I purchased his gift in August while we were in New York secretly, which I was especially excited for. It was something I knew he wanted, needed, and would be totally shocked. Back in New York when he was veggin' in the hotel and I was out shopping, I ran 10 blocks to Uniqlo which was this awesome Japanese clothing store we had discovered earlier that day. They have these amazing ultra light down coats that are super comfy and warm. So anyway, I was excited that I had a good gift this year!

That night I had very little sleep (I just found out the evening before that I was going to be the Primary President of a brand new ward, more on that to come), I had a pounding head ache, was so sick to my stomach, and my mind was racing. So I finally just got up at 6 a.m. and ran to Harmon's to grab a few of Paul's favorite morning foods - orange juice, raspberries, and challah. The kids had a great morning with Daddy.

Every year I always feel a little guilty that I don't do anything special on Paul's birthday. The last time I really planned anything semi-big for his birthday was eight years ago. And really he secretly planned that whole thing leading me on to think that I planned it. It was the night he proposed to me and we had our families waiting at the cabin for his "surprise" birthday party.

I have always figured I would plan some party for his thirtieth. But a week ago I decided it was time to really celebrate him, he deserved it! And number 28 seemed like a good time. So I messaged all of his friends about a surprise birthday party at his parents home. Even though he wasn't overly surprised due to a conversation he had with my Dad where he spilled that we were having a party, it was still a success in my book. We had all our good friends come, I made 10 homemade Jamaican jerk and margarita pizzas, there was a little volleyball action, and ended with homemade oreo ice-cream cake. I tried to have all of Paul's "favorites" present at the party.

We had a blast celebrating Paul. I love him with all of my heart and I am so proud of him. He is such a hard worker and I know he does it all for us, his family. I am one lucky girl to be his..forever!

The Simple Things

Three things that made me so incredibly happy this last weekend that I am reminiscing on already are:

1. Stewart's sweet kisses on my back, arm, hands, and cheeks as I was building the kid's little playhouse. He has been so generous with his smacking lips lately and it is my most favorite thing in the world! No matter how I am feeling, when I hear his little smack and see his arms around me, I melt with my unconditional love that I have for my little buddy.

(picture taken by my Dad in St. George, he emailed it to me after he read this post and I had to share)

2. The "date-night" Paul and I had in the garage finishing setting up the playhouse. It reminded me of our first year of marriage when we were establishing our little apartment as our home. I can't help but laugh every time I see Paul with a screwdriver in one hand, and a little screw in the other. About 65% of the time, he drops that little screw and it makes him so irrational. I love it about him! The little blurts of anger and frustration that come out of him, makes me smile every time. It was a good night!

3. Watching the second session on Sunday of General Conference cuddled up with my little Lily in the cheerio chair. Paul was on his way to Chicago, and I had just put Stew in bed for his nap. That left me and Lily to have some quality time and she was so sweet as she sat there and pointed out the apostles that she knows, "President Monson and President Uchdorf," and asking who the others were. It was a little heaven on Earth listening to the prophets testify of Christ and spending that special time with my little girl.

I am so grateful for quality time that I get to spend with each person in my family. I think that it is so important to spend one-on-one time and build those special memories and moments I hope to cherish forever. When I think back at my time with my parents and brothers, my very most favorite times are when I got to spend one-on-one time with each of them. I hope that my children and I will have solid relationships and that I can show them how much I love them individually.