24.

I have had bloggers guilt lately with too much to post and not enough time to sit down and write! So here I am, finally catching up.

On Friday, I turned the fabulous age of 24! I don't really feel like I have more wisdom than 23... maybe just a few more pounds. But I am happy and that's what's most important! This past year has been such a learning year for me. I have been embracing the new dynamic of wife, mother, homemaker, employee, YW's leader... all while trying to be true to myself. This has not been an easy adjustment for me and I continue to not only struggle, but also enjoy the journey. Some days I feel guilty for not keeping up on the laundry or feeding my child a frozen entree for lunch AND dinner that day... but hey, my family know's I love them and that I am trying my best.

I have some new adventures to embark on here in the next few months. I will be helping out a high school dance team in Hillsboro next month for about 7 weeks. My name was passed on to them through the dance team grapevine and I was happy to accept! I get to work with their team on basics and technique. Considering it has been 4 years since I was last involved with the dance team community, I am eager to get back in without a ton of commitment right now. Hopefully this will get my foot in the door, and I can help out more often!

I am also going to start teaching a couple of dance classes for kids and teens. This probably won't take place until January, but I am already picking music and reeling choreography in my head when I am in the car. I love working with kids and especially teens. I enjoy their passion and desire to learn and be better in dance. Dance is a true art form and was such a huge part of my life for 17 years. Having a break was necessary to get my life where it is now, but I am ready and willing to jump back in!

I am also on the lookout for more opportunities to advocate adoption and to get involved with the adult adoptee community. Certain people and experiences have been sent to me for a reason and I feel that now is the time in my life where I can come to peace with my story. I can't wait to share more on that!

The celebrating began on Wednesday of last week when my girl Erin Rowley took me out to lunch at Olive Garden. The soup, salad and bread sticks was of course delish and the company was even better. She also gave me an amazing gift, it is a book called "Your Study of The Book of Mormon Made Easier - Part One" by David J. Ridges. It is a book of 1 Nephi through Words of Mormon, complete with explanation in notes after each verse. I have been wanting this forever! She is such a doll!

Then on Friday, my girl Erin Odom (I have lots of Erin's in my life) took me out to lunch at Crazy Sushi... a delish Japanese restaurant. We usually go there whenever we go to lunch and of course, chat like crazy! I love that girl!

After lunch, I went to work on and when I got home was surprised to see a dozen yellow roses (my absolute fav), cards from my sweet man and baby girl and also some yummy drinks to try, taking into consideration my recent separation with Diet Coke. Andrew then told me that my sis would be babysitting LJ and we were going out! He took me to a little family-owned Korean joint and then splurged at Cold Stone afterwards. I was feeling very fat and happy! Such a yummy way to celebrate!

As much as my scale wishes I was done celebrating, my mom, sis, sis-in-law and grandma are taking me to lunch at my favorite Vietnamese restaurant tomorrow! AND... my friend Amy is taking me out to lunch on Wednesday too. Seriously?! For those of you that know me, you know I absolutely LOVE love LOVE to eat out. So this is the most lovely and thoughtful way to celebrate my birthday!