Birthday I Appreciate the Most

The summer of 1992 brought a new job for my dad - which meant a move for my family. We had been living in Moab - surrounded by family - and I had made several good friends. The move was not a welcome addition to my preadolescent life.

To make matters worse, we moved to Richfield the week of my 11th birthday. Not only did I have to move to this crazy new place, but it wasn't even my year to have a 'friend' party - we only got to do that every other year. I'd have to sit alone on my birthday and just miss my friends and family in Moab.

Then my parents performed a great act of charity. (I don't know whose idea it was so I'll give credit to both my mom and dad) They threw me a surprise birthday party! My mom invited the neighborhood girls - none of whom I knew - and we had a party. I don't even remember what we did, but I'm sure we played games and ate cake and ice cream and other festive things.

While I appreciated the act then - for then I had a few girls with whom to play - it is only now that I can look back and see it for what it really was.

My parents recognized that I was sad. I was missing my friends, my grandparents, and other extended family. I also remember being really nervous about starting school there and time and time again they reassured me. They recognized my shyness and I'm sure the apprehension I expressed about meeting new people.

And in the midst of unpacking, reorganizing a new home, getting my dad settled in his new job, and everything else that a move does to a family... my angel parents rounded up the neighborhood girls to give their little girl a birthday party.

I think about that birthday now with the deepest love and appreciation for my parents. So, Lady & Mister- in case I haven't told you - thank you for that birthday! Thanks for recognizing my fears, anticipation, and needs. Thanks for taking the time out of your very busy life to provide me with a little bit of calm - in the shape of some new friends. Your love truly is the best gift ever.

Have Your Cake and Eat It Too

I've always been pretty spoiled in getting some

awesome birthday cakes throughout the years.

Here's some of them in all their glory!

Carebear Stare!!!

Crayons!!

Noteworthy I'd say...

Caped Crusaders are always good to eat!

Don't forget their sidekicks!!

Frozen, lemony goodness!

Butter!

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The Birthday That Stole My Heart

The summer I turned 26 I was privileged enough to go home for Cousin Camp!!!

Cousin Camp started when I was little - when Saint Robyn hosted all the cousins at her house for a few days in the summer. We had sleep overs, worked in the farm, made crafts, and basically had the best time ever!

My sisters have carried on the tradition and have taken a few days to a week out of their busy summer schedules each year to make sure that the cousins get some quality play time.

If you think I'm a crazy party planner, you should meet my sister Regina... she goes all out! The year in question was the year of Cousin Camp Safari!! The week's festivities included a trip to the zoo, wild animal hats, and the creation of our own special little creatures!

I knew - from the agenda sent out weeks earlier - that we would be going to Build-a-Bear for one of the Cousin Camp Safari activities! What I didn't know is that it was really a birthday celebration for me!

As part of the process of building a bear - you have to put a heart in it to give it its life... Usually you just put one heart in while making a wish. Well, since I was the birthday girl, everyone took an extra heart, made a wish, and put it in my animal.

My nephew was four and half and pretty much the cutest thing to ever walk the planet. He took his extra heart and he looked at it and he looked at me... he looked at it and he looked at me... finally he said, "I just love you, okay?" He stuffed it in and ran off!!! Don't worry - I captured him later and gave him plenty of crazy aunt kisses!

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Crowned in Birthday Glory

I think the first time the tiara and feather boa appeared was at my 17th birthday... though it may have made it's first appearance at Lili's birthday two month's earlier. Either way... the head gear and neck accesory became an accessory at my friend's birthdays; for many years to come!

That summer, we donned Stephanie with its pink and white glory as she turned 18. She some how escaped the camera...

That fall, we took a slight deviation and made Katie wear "antlers" and a bright orange sweatshirt as we blindfolded her and took her to Denny's (the only 24 hour restaurant in Sevier County!)!!

Then near the end of the year, we added some feathers and helped Lisa celebrate 19 years with style!

The next year, Lili got to wear the prized jewels as we celebrated at Sandie's with chicken baskets and the best fry sauce ever made. Ever.

I feel like the tiara and its feathered companion have made appearances for many years since, though it frequency has definitely diminished... but I have a feeling if the five of us were ever able to get together again it would call for tiaras and boas for everyone!

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Birthday I Wonder About

So...the year is 1989. We're living in Moab, Ut. It gets hot there in the summer. Really hot. So we spent a lot of time at the pool - where I hung out in the shallow end with the non-splashing babies. That's where it's at, y'all!

That summer - or maybe the summer before - my mom made my sister and I take swimming lessons. I hated it!!! I absolutely hate getting my face wet, the diving board was terrifying, and I kept getting water up my nose. Not a fan!

So why on earth would I want a swim party?? My gut tells me it was the cool thing to do that year, but I'm also pretty sure I clung to the edge while everyone else played Marco Polo. (Or some variation of that scenario)

Looking at the pictures doesn't make me feel like I was too traumatized - so I guess it was okay... but still... it makes me wonder...

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Calendar of Birthdays

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I feel like my entire life revolves not around the calendar year of January - December, but rather the year of July to June... with my birthday celebration the culmination of every year!

The summer I turned 15 helped start this little trend of thinking in fiscal years rather than calendar years. The day after this birthday I got my first job... at the Richfield Public Library! That was pretty much the best job ever... and really started to solidfy my calendar preference.

It wasn't until 2008 that I actually was scheduled to work on my birthday - ah, the joys, of year round school - but even now, I still think in a July to June calendar!

Friend Birthday

My first "friend" birthday was in 1984 - when I turned 3. I had two guests at my party... Clay Mieure and Heather Tubbs.

Most probably won't believe this, but I'm actually quite shy. New social situations really intimidate me and I find it difficult to carry on conversation about much more than the weather or what's happening at work/school. I'm really good at diverting attention away from myself so that I can carry on a conversation without someone really learning a whole lot about me.

But even with this crazy habit of mine, throughout the years I've acquired hundreds of those whom I would call friend and appreciate all they have done for me.... especially all the times they go along with me and my crazy birthday party planning ideas - like the one here!!

Who Needs 'Em?

The past several days I've been getting text messages from an unknown number asking, "who's this" or some variation of that. They even called me once, but did not leave a message. After scouring my own resources for the owner of the digits, I texted my older sister to see what she had to say...

A - Do you know anyone with the number....

R - No... you want me to call it?

A - If you want. They keep texting me, at 12:30 am nonetheless, "who's this?" But I don't know if I should respond. What say you?

R - I will google it and get back to you asap...

A - ... I can block the number via the verizon website I think. It's just weird.

R - Weird is right!

R - I can call them, but don't want them texting me in the a.m.!

A - Maybe I should just start quoting Shakespeare. Weird is as weird does right?

R - Lol!... Just found a site that said "I keep getting texts of "who's this"... past 4 days." That wasn't you leaving a comment was it?

A - Haha! Yes!

R - How funny is that!

A - Google is taking over

R - Google rules the world! (Insert evil laugh here)

A - Minion

R - Oh yeah, I have a business phone now for the cabin... I'll use that to call this number! Hang on!

R - ... Voice message of number just plays the wedding scene from princess bride... wuv, true wuv... bwings us... togefer... today.

R - ... that number just called my business phone... name on caller id was [whatever]. I answered, he had a young sounding voice, guessing he is a teenager, and told him I was calling for derrick who wanted to rent my cabin.... He said, ok, cuz I was like who's this...and I said, yeah it can get pretty annoying when people you don't know call you for no reason, and he said, uh, yeah I guess so. then I told him to have a good day and hung up.

Who needs brothers and boyfriends when you have Gina!?? 30 years later and she's still taking care of me in style!

We'll see if I get any phone calls tonight!

Birthday that subconsciously shaped my life

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In 1983, my parents gave me a toy shopping cart with little cartons of pretend food. Playing house was one of my favorite games for most of my childhood. I loved setting up my home, planning dinners, pretend cooking them, and making everyone in my large family of dolls comfortable.

I still love these activities today... I didn't really learn to cook until I was in college, but it is now something I absolutely love to do... and am not half bad at either (if I do say so myself). I love planning menus for parties, cooking for crowds, and trying new things. I also have enjoyed setting up my house to make it a home. It's not fancy, but it's a cozy little retreat that other people seem to enjoy coming, too!

So maybe that cart full of groceries somehow influenced my future domestic lifestyle...

I just can't help but wonder what would have happened if they'd given me a He-Man Master of the Universe action figure...