Celebrating Two-Seven

I turned 27 years old on January 10th. My plan is to age well and welcome each year with optimism and enthusiasm to live my life. In three years, I want to be one of the few people that is genuinely excited to turn 30. Meanwhile, I welcome age 27 with joy and high hopes that this year Jonathan and I can have success with bringing the little babes into our home. But if not, we will continue to live our lives after the manner of happiness.

Because I am determined to blossom wherever I am planted.

On Thursday, January 10th, 2013 I felt completely doted over and quite frankly, a bit spoiled on my day of birth.

It was a marvelous birthday because I felt loved and appreciated all. day. long.

Started off with an early morning workout at the gym and a delicious green smoothie that was waiting for me from the hubby when I came home. My coworkers gave me presents and birthday wishes, my sister and her boy brought me flowers and ingredients for my new Blendtec. They even brought me lunch from our Zupas which twas delicious.

Barbara made me cookies because she is a tremendous baker.Yes, I do sit on an exercise ball every day at work...like Dwight from the Office. Here I am, encompassed by my Birthday loot!

And... I got to wear the birthday sombrero that gets passed around from employee to employee. And my coworkers made me laugh all day. "You can't have a cookie unless you say 5 nice things about Rach."

The ridiculously good-looking man that I am married to had these delivered to my desk because I wasn't able to see him all day. His Thursday class schedule begins at 7:40 in the am and ends at 5:40 in the pm. He left at 7 that day. So when my favorite flowers were delivered I almost cried because that's the sentimental fool that I am.

And I didn't mind them brightening up our little apartment afterwards either!

Much to Jon's pleasant surprise, I still wanted to go to the basketball game on the night of my birthday. He took me to Gurus to eat some din din beforehand. And the cougars were kind enough to win big that night. Thanks, Fellas.

And then the very best part of all was taking the next day off of work. Jon convinced me to do this weeks in advance because he has no Friday classes. We slept in, went to the gym, had TIME in our favor finally, and he made me my favorite breakfast - eggs and toast. (I am so boring) He even added a little birthday candle. ha ha how I love that guy.

And because the weather was beckoning us, we took advantage of the snow storm and went sledding!

More like...we got white-washed every time we went down the mountain together. It was hilarious, and cold, and hard to breathe, and wet, and a complete blast.

He is my best friend and my world.

And what would a birthday be without family to celebrate it with? Here are my darling cousins Chelsea and Brittany, who I grew up with.

My sis and her boy.

                                      

My fun mama with Britt.

Oh and I have officially arrived. I finally have my own pair of cleats to tear it up on the soccer field at work!! Thanks a million to my brother David who emails me every day to ask whether or not I scored!

We just kept celebrating all month. The Dittos came to Provo last Sunday evening to do their family birthday traditions as well and give me a few more presents. See? Spoiled.

I am 27 years old. I have a feeling that's going to be hard to remember.

The Day I Met My Cello

I am a dreamer. I make lifelong wishes on my bucket list of things to do before I die. And I really truly lucked out, because I married someone who has not only cherished that aspect of my personality, but has encouraged it throughout the years. He gives me my wings. 

Jonathan David, you surprised me with the greatest Christmas present this girl could have ever asked for. One of those many dreams of mine on my bucket list was to learn to play the cello. When I was younger, I took off with piano lessons and to this day I love to play. However, I always knew in my heart that one day I would learn to play this glorious string instrument as well. 

Touching my cello for the very first time. 

So gorgeous, like I always dreamed of. Perfect color, perfect everything. Even a big red bow. Now if I can just develop the skill to play the songs I've always yearned to play. This song for example. Yup, that one will take some time! In fact, if you are going to continue reading this post, I highly recommend you open that song on another tab so you can listen to the majestic instrument as you feel my excitement and read along...

 A couple months ago,  I met someone at the hospital who teaches cello lessons. I got her phone number and dropped the hint to Santa that if possible, this was really all I wanted for Christmas (and maybe my birthday, and next year's Christmas and birthday...it's not like we have money floating around at our fingertips.)

The Tuesday before we celebrated our Christmas, Jonathan told me he hoped I wouldn't be disappointed with what he got me this year. A little heartbroken, I resolved to be happy and trust his judgment that maybe right now wasn't the right time to invest in my cello dream.

But after sending me on a scavenger hunt, this was what waited for me in our extra bedroom the day we celebrated Christmas. I definitely cried. That sneaky man completely tricked me!

                                            
I think one of the very best aspects of this gift is that this cello will always be a symbol of the love my best friend has for me.

 I have had two lessons so far, and I am loving every minute of them. As anyone would suspect, it will take hours of discipline and practice for me to develop this new talent. I just began the left hand fingering this past week, and I think my fingers might fall off! If only my little hands were a little bigger!

Hopefully Jonathan had a magical Christmas too! I did the 12 Days of Christmas for him. Day 2 was a dinner for 2 at a sports bar. And Day 1 was a Kubb set (Swedish lawn game that his cousins have gotten us addicted to).  He was pretty excited.

                                         

I don't know if anything can top this gift though. It was one of the best moments of my life, and certainly a dream come true.
                                                

I will be thanking Jonathan for an eternity. I think there have to be cellos in heaven!

Post Script: If anyone would like to begin learning a new instrument, you can rent to own at the  place Jon found my cello at in Orem. Great deal! $50 per month and we will own this beauty. 

Do's and Don'ts During Christmas

Do go to the Festival of Trees.

 But don't forget your coat because you might have to park about a mile away.

 

Do go to Christmas Around the World

 Don't be sad that you're not a part of that phenomenal production anymore.

 

Do have Santa show up to your brother's birthday party!



 

Don't be afraid of Santa.

 

Do dance!

 

Do go to the Christmas Mormon Tabernacle Choir Concert with Alfie Bow!

 Don't leave Provo any later than two hours before it starts, you'll be super stressed and stuck in downtown traffic.

 

Do cut your husband's hair.

 

Don't let it get this long.

(Before)

 

(After)

 

Do play kickball and soccer in the snow.

Do realize that life is rich because of the gospel, and family, and the birth and life of our Savior, Jesus Christ.