Winter Vacay part 2: My Birthday!

On the 23rd, I celebrated my 29th (yikes!) birthday! I was lucky enough to be in California, so I was able to spend my birthday surrounded by family and friends (the only piece missing was J!).

My birthday was started off by a trip to the DMV. I know, I know-- not fun. My driver license expired right on my birthday and I had already renewed via internet twice before, so this third time I had to renew in person. But luckily I had made an appointment and I was in and out of there in 10 minutes!

When I got home, I woke my parents up and demanded (nicely) they take me out to breakfast (I'm a brat like that). We headed to Mrs. Olson's- one of my favorite breakfast joints ever! The food is nothing less of amazing and portions are ginormous. Like, no joke. The weather was perfection and Mrs. Olson's is right on the beach, so after breakfast, I had to dig my toes into the sand- something I've been missing for so long!

The majority of the afternoon was spent running around- getting last-minute things for my party and getting my hair did.

Then it was finally time for my party. We had a white elephant gift exchange party at the Thai restaurant my mom manages. It was so much fun! A lot of people showed up, including friends I hadn't seen in YEARS. One of my good friends even drove all the way up from San Diego just for the day and surprised me! It was so sweet of her to do that for little 'ol me. The food was good. The gift exchange was fun (I ended up with a really nice Kelty backpack! Score!). Overall- it was one of my most favorite birthdays yet!

28 was overall a pretty good year for me. I hit some really rough patches though, so I'm hoping 29 will be a little better for me. So here's to my last year in my twenties - hoping it will be my best one yet! Cheers!

Thank you to all who greeted me on my birthday! I appreciate all the love! xoxo

To my Mr.

We've been friends for almost a decade, together for 7 of those years, and married for 2. And throughout my time knowing you, being with you- I find myself falling in love with you all over again every single day.

You've taught me so many things-- about life, love and about myself. I am so grateful. Without you I don't know where I would be, what I would be doing (probably something really boring). Thanks for always keeping me on my toes.

I just want to thank you for being my support system. For being my best friend. For putting up with me when I'm a brat (and we know that's most of the time). For loving me unconditionally. For the little (and big!) things you do to make me happy. For always pushing me and wanting the best for me. For always making me laugh. And making me good food, of course.

From our very first trip together to Costa Rica to our big move across the country and everything in between with all the ups and downs, there's no one else I would want to experience it all than with you.

You're the best thing ever in this world. You're such a huge blessing in my life. Words can't even describe how much I love you.

September 9 is one of my favorite days. Happy birthday, my love. Mahal kita.

Love,
Your turtle shell

Birthday #20-something

Another birthday in the books for me! (and that is NOT an exclamation of excitement-- more of an exclamation of surprise. Ha.) I had a nice one this year. I woke up to my hubby giving me a gift certificate to the spa {score!}. It was an awesome surprise!