The Best Birthday Surprise

Earlier in the week, Justin asked me out on a date for Saturday. We started out eating lunch at Rumbi Island Grill. I wanted to check out the shops (this was the shopping center where I got my haircut and saw Francesca's Collections), but Justin insisted he was too full to walk around. So we sat and I talked his ear off about InDesign. I got up to go the bathroom, and when I came out, my four best friends were sitting at the table with Justin! I could not believe my eyes. Three of them--Kaitlyn, Francine, and Kristen--drove in that morning from Southern CA, and Lindsey flew in that morning from Tennessee. I was so shocked! Especially that Lindsey was there. That was the second time she had flown in for a day just for me (the first was for my wedding). I started crying. I was so happy to see my friends again, especially for my birthday. I haven't had a birthday party in years, and birthdays are big deals in my family. I missed that. Justin knew how lonely I was and collaborated with them. What selfless love they have!

Justin gave me a bag of stuff I needed and left us for a girls-only day. First we went bowling. I won the first game after getting a turkey (three strikes in a row), and Francine won the second after getting four strikes (not in a row). We took tons of silly pictures. Next we got our nails done. I've only gotten one pedicure in my entire life--for my 13th birthday at the beauty school--and have never gotten a manicure. I got both: red velvet toes and French tip fingers.

We went to the girls' hotel to get changed for dinner. Justin had packed me two dresses to choose from. My friends chose the red one so that I would stand out. After makeup was done, we went to the Melting Pot for a fabulous dinner. We ordered cheddar and spinach artichoke fondue, cooked various types of meat in two different broths, and indulged in milk, dark, and white chocolate fondue. The server put candles in the dippers, and the girls sang happy birthday to me. It was quite the experience!

Unfortunately, Lindsey left while Justin and I were at church on Sunday. The rest of the girls came over for dinner and games: Apples to Apples, Mad Gab, and Imaginiff. Justin made me a chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting, and they all sang happy birthday to me again. They didn't leave until midnight, when we said our final goodbyes. I cried as soon as I shut the door behind them. I already miss those wonderful ladies! God could not have blessed me with better friends.

Click here to see photos of our weekend.

Click here to see Francine's photos.

More Random Tidbits

1. Last month we bought Justin a bike to ride to school and work. We spent a lot of time shopping before he picked the perfect one. It's a Trek mountain bike.




2. I bought new running shoes a couple weeks ago. I had my old ones for 2 1/2 years! They were awesome! They're still in great condition to use for other activities; they just don't have the necessary cushion anymore for running. I asked for new running shoes for my birthday, but I didn't want to wait until then, so we got them early. I found them at Lady Foot Locker: Nike Moto 6, $75 (originally $90, but we got the sales associate to price match it to Finish Line, which didn't have them in my size). They are so comfortable! I love them! We also bought the Nike+ kit, which has a chip you put into your shoe and another one that hooks up to your iPod to track and display your time, distance, pace, and calories burned. You can set goals or just do a basic workout, and it stores all your history, which you can also upload online. It's a great motivator.




3. Yesterday we went to get me a haircut. On the way, I spotted this and had to take a picture!



4. Originally we had planned to go to a certain salon nearby to get my hair cut. We got there slightly after it was supposed to be open, but no one was there. We waited a little bit but no one came, except for another disappointed customer. We drove around trying to find another salon and saw one (Rolf's) in a fancy shopping center a couple stores down from the boutique pictured above. I got the same hairstyle that I did in January because I loved it. (I am so done with cheap places to get my hair done!) I also got my eyebrows waxed. Finally! I don't even remember the last time I did that, except for when I got married. I used to do it so much in high school because it's so cheap at the beauty school in San Marcos. Anyway, I loved my stylist. She was so sweet and fun to talk to and she did an amazing job with everything. I am definitely going back there again and requesting her!

Random Tidbits of Life

I haven't been blogging much about me, so here are some random tidbits of life that have occurred the past few months:

1. One day at work I got an urgent voicemail from Justin telling me that there was a lizard in our bathtub! He was about to wash his golf clubs in the tub when the lizard emerging from the drain startled him. Justin is not a huge reptile fan. He caught the lizard in a shoe box and threw the whole box outside.




2. After the dance routine Justin and I did together for the March performance (see the post "Why I Love Justin"), we went shopping and I found this dress on clearance ($13) at Papaya.





3. Although not a mother yet, I had a Mother's Day. Justin gave me a cute breakfast in bed. (The picture shows up horizontal on my computer, so I don't know why it's vertical here.) We taught our Primary class as usual, though we had the option of finding a sub for me so I could attend Sunday School and Relief Society for once. As much as I love those precious children, I kind of regret not taking the offer because the kids were more difficult than usual! I had no patience left by the end of class. Anyway, Justin cooked a delicious dinner as well and treated me like a queen the whole day. :0) Hopefully by next Mother's Day I'll actually deserve it, though in an eternal perspective I already do!

Baby Names 2008

After logging out of my email, the msn.com home page popped up, and this article caught my eye: "Emma, Jacob are top baby names in U.S." Here are the rest of the 2008 winners:

Girls

1. Emma
2. Isabella
3. Emily
4. Madison
5. Ava
6. Olivia
7. Sophia
8. Abigail
9. Elizabeth
10. Chloe

Boys

1. Jacob
2. Michael
3. Ethan
4. Joshua
5. Daniel
6. Alexander
7. Anthony
8. William
9. Christopher
10. Matthew

I like most of the girl names (not too fond of Abigail and Madison) and only a few of the boy names. I've always been picky about boy names. None really catches my liking. Girl names are so much more fun to choose! They're elegant, cute, and easier to be creative and unique with. I adore classy, sophisticated names: Sophia, Elena, Linnette, Ella, and the rest on the 2008 list. I love m's and l's and "a" endings ("uh" sound, which looks unattractive but sounds divine). I hope I have lots of girls! (Knock on wood.)

To read the rest of the article, click here.

I DID IT!!!

I write articles for eHow.com. They had a contest: write and submit a health and fitness article, and if it is featured on the home page, win $50! Well, today my article is featured on the home page! It is called "How to Save Money and Lose Weight by Going Green" by fen527. I am so happy and proud of myself! I actually did it!