Fantastic Happy Birthday!!

Yesterday was my 34th birthday. I think about the past few years and just stand in awe not only how fast they have passed, but how much has been accomplished in my life. I have 4 fabulous kids who celebrate life everyday and make me so grateful to be a mother. I have a very devoted and generous husband whom I love more and more everyday. He surprised me with a "couples massage" on Saturday for my birthday. We went to this very elegant and luxurious spa in Stansbury called MillPond Spa. The kind where you walk around in slippers and bathrobes. We sat in a steam room for awhile and then each had a massage for 60 minutes which was so heavenly. I love a good massage. Afterward we were served tea and hot chocolate on real china with fruit and dark chocolate. We sat in a beautiful room and just had a great time talking and laughing and being together. Afterward we drove to Applebee's (the only real restaurant in Tooele) for my favorite spinach salad. It was a very special afternoon and I am so grateful that Jed knows and understands this part of me. That I don't like getting "stuff" for my birthday. For me, the experience is so much more important. So thank you Jed!
On Sunday I taught my R.S. lesson and while it was one of the more spiritual experiences for me, I think it was for many of the sisters and I am so grateful for the power of the Spirit who I truly believe trusted me with what the sisters needed to hear and that was amazing. Also fun, my friend Shauna came into the room with chocolate and announced to everyone that it was my birthday (the sweet sisters already sang "Happy Birthday" to me). Shauna said that if it's your birthday you bring treats for the class, so she had everyone pass around the basket of chocolate. I can't tell you how much that uplifted me and really helped me at that point in the lesson. I was having trouble getting the words out because I was so emotional! I love love love my calling. I don't think I have ever loved my calling as much as I love teaching Relief Society!
After church our dear friends and cousins Mike and Karyn came over for dinner. We try to get together with their family every couple of months and had already had to cancel last month. It was so fun and so inspiring. I think that they are at the beginning of a wonderful journey as Mike prepares to get elected Mayor of West Valley and no longer works at the Winder Farms but at another job as well. Karyn made an awesome GF chocolate cake that she found the mix at the grocery store. It was delicious and I was so grateful! Plus now I get to nibble on cake for the next few days!
I look forward to the next year and feel gratitude about the past. I love my extended family and the joy it is to be with them. My sisters, my mom, my dear friends. Thank you so much for your care and friendship!