Holy smokes.

I have been meaning to write for about a week now, but things have been crazy. Sinus infection crazy.

Happy birthday to me!

This year is the first year where I actually feel my age. 24. Weird. 24. I never really thought of myself in terms of a number... nor have I let the idea of being an adult woman cross my mind until lately. I've always just been me-- a carefree, young girl. A kid.

But now, in this stage of my life, I am happily married. I have a space to call home... one that has been thoughtfully decorated and put together. I have a car payment. I have a full-time job. Life has changed almost without me noticing. The responsibility just fits. Happy and satisfied are two words I would use to say how I feel about all this. It just fits.

The birthday celebration lasted about a week and started with delicious cake and conversation with friends. My students were very happy about my birthday and I was serenaded a few times by youthful, enthusiastic voices. Dan got me an iPod and took me out to La Dolce Vita in Provo, where I had the best pizza of my life-- chicken pesto. My brother came into town and he, my sister, Dan, and I went to the Cannon center where we ate way too much food and had a Jello slurping contest-- the hilarity was off the charts (OK, maybe I'm not all the way grown-up yet). My sister took me out for frozen yogurt... I think I put more boba than yogurt in my self-serve bowl. My mom surprised me with a visit as well, and did a really good job of hiding a Kitchen Aid Mixer in my tiny apartment for 2 weeks without me noticing it was there (amazing since I notice/see EVERYTHING. I think I grew a set of eyes in the back of my head when I became a middle school teacher). My mother-in-law got me the most amazing jacket ever, she really has an eye for finding things that work perfectly for me. Aaaaand, my sister-in-law and name twin (not for long!) Rachel came by with the most delectable piece of chocolate cake I have eaten in quite some time.

It was a very happy birthday with lots of awesome family and friends and food and fun.

Can I have one again tomorrow?

Before signing off, I do have to say that having a Kitchen Aid in my possession marks my initiation into the Real Woman Club.

[RACHEL]