it's my birthday, and everyone remembered!!!

generally, i don't make a big deal of birthdays, especially mine, but who doesn't appreciate when people remember and do nice things to celebrate you? i have felt so blessed and thankful today, more than i have in a long, long time. it's really nice.

on my way to school, i stopped at starbucks and was in for some BIIIIIG changes. 1.STARBUCKS HAS CHANGED ITS CUPS!
2. now they have these cool plastic green thingies to keep the coffee from spilling in your car - it's revolution in the world of caffine.

before i even got to work, i had a happy birthday song on my voicemail from my melissa! it put a smile on my face before i even got out of my car. as soon as i walked in the door, paige reminded everyone of my birthday, so during homeroom, two of the assistant principles came in and led my class in a round of "happy birthday". after second period, paige gave me a necklace she made:it's BEAUTIFUL and i wore it all day!

the kids were well-behaved, and my music appreciation class was amazing at learning how to count rhythms! they've never read music before and are already counting rhythms with whole, half, quarter, and eighth notes, as well as rests. i'm so impressed. after class, we went down to a staff meeting where the teachers sang to me - they were not nearly as good as the kids :-) and i even got a message on my phone from my brother out in california!

when i got home, i was shocked to find streamers, a sign, balloons, flowers, and a cake from my mom! i was so surprised by it all. i seriously had no inkling that anything like that would be awaiting me. andrew chipped in by making the bed, cleaning the kitchen, and best of all, just keeping it all a secret from me. apparently mom forgot her camera, but i definitely took enough pictures for everyone:




when jess found out that andrew was going to have to work tonight, she offered to make me dinner. i went over to her house and enjoyed a fabulous steak and potatoes dinner with broccoli and salad, followed by (of course) cake! jessi gave me the most beautiful calla lilies i've ever seen - and they're in a pot, so i can keep them forever... or at least as long as i can keep them alive!

i just really have to say thank you so much to all the people who made me feel so special today. i've been having such a very hard time lately, and there's nothing more that i could have asked for on this day than to feel that kind of love from my friends, my family, and my God. thank you all immensely.