Happy Birthday to me!

It seems like forever ago now, but my birthday was 2 1/2 weeks ago and I am now 31 years old. I had a very difficult time with my birthday last year, turning 30 and all, but this year was much different. I quite enjoyed it, actually!

I was woken up by Jessica, who came in my room and asked me to come downstairs. I assumed she wanted me to help her get breakfast, and I followed her downstairs. When I got down, the whole family was there! Andy gave Syd a signal and Syd started playing a drum solo she had been working on for me! So cute! There were balloons everywhere! The kids had blown them up and colored on them with markers, both pictures and love notes to me. It was very sweet. They worked on that for days.

Andy found a birthday card that has a picture of a little girl who looks exactly like I did as a kid.

Is that eerie or what? The one on the top is me at age 3, the bottom is the card. I have to say, that is one cute little girl on the card! Hehe!

My gift from Andy was going to the Christina Perri concert! We went a few days before my birthday and absolutely loved it. She is so good. The best part is that The Neighbors opened for her. We are officially groupies following The Neighbors around everywhere. We love them!

A lot has changed since my last birthday. I have become a new person in many ways. I have started doing many more of the things I truly enjoy, tried lots of new things, and stopped caring so much about what those around me may or may not think of me. I have developed a much stronger sense of who I am. I know who I want to be. I am striving each day to be a better person. And the best part is that I am having FUN doing it!

So here I am, 31 years old, and happier than ever. I see the beauty in everything around me. I have many new friends, and have re-aquainted with many old friends, and strengthened many current friendships. I have new passions and new hobbies. I am happy! Happy Birthday to me!

And just for fun, a picture of the beautiful tulips in my front yard. They make me happy!