PARTY TIME!!!

So a couple weeks ago was my birthday which usually goes down without much excitement. This year, I must say, was a pleasant surprise. I assumed Neal was taking me out to dinner because he was acting kind of fishy so I anxiously awaited his arrival. Truth be told, I anxiously anticipate his arrival every night and actually count down the hours. I know, isn't that pathetic? But what can I say--he's my Baby♥ So about ten minutes after Neal got home I hear a pounding on my door and it's my friends Emily an Jeannette with a rediculously huge birthday hat. I shuddered at the possibility that I might have to wear that thing in public. Luckily, I only had to wear it behind closed doors. ha! Anyway, we went out to dinner at Olive Garden with several friends and then back to Jeannette's house to watch "The Bachelor." The absolute sweetest thing ever was that Jeannette had baked me a cake which was the very first cake she had ever made in her entire life. I guess she was a little nervous and hesitant because she knows I'm BIG into desserts and pride myself on my chocolate cake which literally makes your eyes roll to the back of your head. At any rate, Jeannette did an awesome job and it tasted wonderful. I am so thankful for such great friends!

Another incredibly sweet gesture was from my boys. I'll never forget how kindred it was to see Britton lean over and whisper in Devin's ear, run over to the keyboard, select the birthday song, and then both stand ever so humbly in front of me singing "Happy Birthday." Devin and Britton both seemed to take this tribute very seriously as they sang their absolute best. That was truly one of those moments that I just stopped and thought "Gosh, I am so lucky to be a Mom!" Heaven knows it's not easy but it really is sooo worth it. I also received a couple gifts including a tiny potted tree (hopefully it will live longer than a month) and a Wii Fit which took Neal almost a year to find.

Very quickly I have to tell you about Devin. Devin is the A-B-S-O-L-U-T-E worst when it comes to surprises. He literally cannot keep a secret because it drives him absolutely crazy. When he gets something on his mind that he's excited about (money, presents) he dwells and obsesses over it to the point where he almost loses function. If Devin happens to have a dollar, he MUST go to the dollar store now and hounds me hundreds of times. It almost seems as though he's experiencing actual discomfort or pain--it's that intense. Some instances aren't quite as intense but still illustrate his inability to keep a secret such as when we play hide 'n go seek. Finding Devin is always extremely easy because he just sits there and giggles and giggles and giggles and giggles. (You get the point.) One time I found him and Britton hiding in the coat closet and both Devin and Britton had their hands piled over Devin's mouth to keep down the inevitable giggles. You just can't help but love Devy. Anyway, Devin painted several ceramic animals and bought me my two favorite candies to give as my birthday present. Not being able to withstand the excitement/anticipation/secret, he insisted that I open the present several days before my birthday. I then had to rewrap and reopen the same gift on my birthday acting completely surprised so he could feel all proud of himself again. God bless little children~

We also attended a super fun ♥Valentine's Day♥ party at our church. A member in our ward is a DJ on the side so we (I mean I) had the best time ever dancing with the kids. (Neal had a fun time observing-haha!) Livy loved to dance but was mostly preoccupied with the dessert table. What a sweet tooth that child is! (I wonder where she got that from? Hmmm...)

This was one of 50 attempts Livy made at raiding the dessert table.

Britton had a blast dancing his heart out. (Notice the red cheeks!)

Livy Lou dancing the night away!

Devin hangin' out with his buddies.

Livy made a new friend and had fun hanging out under the dessert table.

Devy joins Livy and her new friend in the adventure.