The BEST Birthday EVA!

Probably every year I have said that it was the best birthday ever, but this year it really was.  Yes, 24 years ago on March 21, 1988 I was born.  Can you believe it?  24 years already?!  It definitely was a reason to celebrate!  Let me share with you how my day went:

• Received a call at 6:55 from my mom on her break at the temple wishing me a happy birthday!  Noticed that I had a message on my phone...Carli was the first to wish me a happy birthday at midnight!  Thanks chopsy!
• After waking up, showering, and getting ready, I got birthday hugs from Wendi and Steph!  I also found the most delicious raspberry muffins (they are my favorite kind--Lehi Roller Mill) on the counter with the cutest birthday note from Tish!  Yummy breakfast=great day!  Oh, and I also got a birthday hug from Brett!
• Katie came over singing happy birthday and then we headed out the door to the teacher fair on campus.  As we were walking to my car I noticed an orange parking ticket envelope!  I was kind of freaking out until I opened it and realized that it was really a birthday card from Ryan who is a parking ticket issuer (I don't know what the job is really called:)).  It was so nice and thoughtful of him!
• Attending the teacher fair was a little stressful and exciting at the same time!  Districts from the state and from other states were there.  I had interviews with Granite, Salt Lake, and Alpine districts and then I set up other interviews with the six other districts that I am most interested in!  I can't believe I am to this point of finding a job!  It was so fun to spend the day with Katie!  While we were waiting for interviews Carolynn came and visited us.  Loved that!
• Received lots of texts and Facebook posts throughout the day from friends and family!  I really felt the love!  Thanks for thinking of me and making my day so special!  
• Went to lunch with Katie at Cafe Rio...delish!
• Checked the mail when I got back.  Found a birthday card from Elder Sharp!  YAY!  He was so kind with his words and just brightened my day even more!  
• Entered my apartment to find it decorated with streamers and balloons!  The best part was the messages on the balloons!  I loved reading them all!
• Talked to Carli, Mom, and Brooke on the phone.  They were really good at tricking me!  After I talked to them I decided to take a little snooze.  In my dream there was this weird clanking noise.  Suddenly, I realized that the noise wasn't really in my dream but that it was for real.  I thought that a bird had flown into my window until it happened again, over and over.  I hopped out of bed, realizing that someone was throwing rocks at my window.  I opened the blinds and to my surprise...I was Brooke, Dad, and Mom standing on the lawn, laughing their heads off at my shocked expression on my face!  I couldn't believe!  They came up just to spend a little time with me on my birthday!  They came in and we visited for a bit.  We then went to dinner at the Coppermill.  It was our first time there and it was a lot of fun!  We also had to stop at the Bluebird to pick up some chocolates.  After coming back to my apartment for a bit, they headed back home.  The nicest thing ever that they took the time to come!  Definitely something I will always remember!
• Had a little party!  My roommates and some friends put together a little birthday dessert night for me and a bunch of friends came over.  Tish made another one of my favorite things...raspberry pretzel jello salad.  They all made it extra special!  They sang and I got to blow out 24 candles!  I got all 24 in one breath so I am hoping my wish will come true!  They also surprised me with some thoughtful gifts!  Danielle gave me earrings that she made!  She is so talented!  Wendi gave me the most amazing pens and a book about why she loves me!  Seriously, one of the best gifts I have ever received!  Steph gave me a beautiful necklace and yummy smelly lotion!  I was spoiled!  
• Came into my room tonight to find a few new voicemails on my phone along with more text messages!  Brandt and Kelly, Britt and Marianne, Becca, and Molly, thank you for the birthday wishes and songs!  Loved them all!  I also got to talk to my Grandma and Grandpa Buchanan...that is always a special treat!  And logged on to Facebook to see even more posts!  Man, you all are the best!  Thank you for making my 24th birthday the best ever!  I sure feel loved:)

Home Evening

Since so many in our ward are gone for spring break, Steph, Brett, Dru and I decided to hold our own family home evening.  It was so much fun!  We met at our place at seven and ate.  Then, Steph gave a wonderful and very uplifting thought.  After, we went outside with sidewalk chalk and had a ball drawing and writing funny messages all over.  We then ended the night by watching The Emperors New Groove.  Fabulous!

Wind Caves

The Spring Break fun continues!  Today was one beautiful day so we decided to hike up to the wind caves.  Of course, I was not smart enough to realize that even though the snow had melted by our apartment, it had not melted up in the mountains.  Throughout these pics you will see all of us become more and more muddy.  It was a good time, though, and totally worth it with lots of laughs, exercise, and a little sunburn.  Enjoy!

Tea Party

The Spring Break fun begins!  I don't know who's genius idea this was but we had a full-blown tea party last night!  Everyone dressed up and brought food...herbal tea, scones, cucumber sandwiches, little cookies...it was perfect!  We had a great time talking in a British accent (I listened and laughed more than talked) and then we ended the night with a few episodes of "I Love Lucy."  Can it get any better than that!?

P.S.  This week really isn't my Spring Break.  I have to follow the District Calendar so I don't have my break until the first week in April.  But, I decided to make this a mini Spring Break so after 4:30 every night, the party begins!

A lot has happened...

Life is crazy and can take so many expected and unexpected turns.  Lately a lot of things have taken place. Corbin is officially a full-time missionary!  We dropped him off at the MTC yesterday at 1:10.  As we pulled in to drop him off I got so excited!  All of my wonderful MTC memories came flooding back!  Those were some of the best 9 weeks of my life and I would go back in a heart beat!  I started to think about all of the wonderful experiences that Corb will have and I was ecstatic for him to go!  Yeah, I was also a little sad but there is no where else I would rather have him be.  Now I am just trying to be patient waiting for his first letter to come.  It will be good to hear from him.  All of the things with Corbin leaving were expected turns.

Now, moving on to the unexpected turns.  I went home on Monday night after school because Tuesday I had a doctor's appointment and Corb's setting apart and Wednesday I was going with the fam to drop him off at the MTC.  When I arrived home I found my dad sick on the couch with aches and chills and a fever and terrible cough. I tried to be as cautious as possible but in the middle of the night I could already feel it settling in.  Surprise, surprise...I was getting sick...again!  Okay, I really need to stop being facetious and sarcastic but it is either that or pure frustration!  I was thankful to be going to the doctor the next day.  This was my first appointment with this doctor.  I wasn't very pleased with the doctor that I have been going to over the past several months because he was so quick to diagnose and put me on a medication that I would be taking for the rest of my life.  I just felt really uneasy about it all.  Well, the doctor I went to on Tuesday was phenomenal!  He seriously spent two hours with me!  He is a great listener and is very thorough.  He was a little hesitant to believe, just because of my blood tests back in July and September, that I have Mixed Connective Tissue Disease.  So, he told me that we are starting back at square one trying to figure out what is going on.  Although I was a little overwhelmed by the thought of starting over, I feel really good about it.  He sent me to a really specialized lab to get some more blood work done that he should have the results of by this coming Tuesday.  I am really anxious to see how the results come back.  It would be great to find out that I do not have MCTD but also a little discouraging because if I don't have that, what is it?  I guess that my search for answers will just continue!

Even though this year has been the most difficult of my life, I had an amazing realization a couple of weeks ago as I was teaching Temple Prep.  The lesson was on preparing to enter the temple.  I had a feeling to give all of the class members time to fill out the "Attribute Activity" in Preach My Gospel.  I also filled it out in my own Preach My Gospel manual.  I had answered the questions many times previously so I could see my answers from months and years past.  It was interesting for me to compare my answers now with those from before.  I noticed that there were some areas that I scored lower in, specifically patience.  I know that I need to work on that at this time.  However, there was one point under faith where I scored the highest out of all of my times filling out the attribute activity: I feel confident that God loves me.  It caught me by surprise!  Why, at this time, when I am struggling more than I ever have, am I confident that God loves me?  Because of all of the blessing that I have.  I need to experience these health challenges to recognize and feel His love.  I love Him.  I am thankful that He knows what I need and what will bring me closer to Him.  I am thankful for those unexpected turns.

Tomorrow is the day!

Corbin enters the MTC tomorrow!  Tonight he was set-apart as a full-time missionary.  It was one of those very special and spiritual moments.  I sure am going to miss my little bro but I am couldn't be more proud of the decision he has made to serve!

Family Pics

Yesterday afternoon we had family pictures taken!  Here is a link to see the first few that have been posted...they turned out cute!  Thanks to Shelly Oliverson!  She is amazing!  Click here to see the pics.

Corb's Farewell

This past Sunday was my little brother, Corbin's, farewell.  It was such a special event!  He gave a beautiful talk on preparing throughout life to serve a mission.  The Spirit was very strong!  All of us siblings sang "I Believe in Christ" before he spoke.  It was wonderful to be able to sing together.  So many came to support Corb!  Here are some pictures of the luncheon we had afterwards.  Only 5 more days until he enters the MTC!