my 30th birthday

Disclaimer: My documentation hereby is by no means to boast or brag, just simply recording for myself and to give credit to those who contributed in making my day wonderful. I recognize that this may be boring to some. I'll never know if you skip past all my ramblings.

Michael woke me up at 6:55am (as agreed the night before) so he could give me his gift before he went to work. I almost always ask him to take off a half a day from work, but with all of our july vacations, it just wasn't practical. He got me a ladybug charm to go with my charm bracelet. He calls me ladybug, so it is very sentimental to me...I loved it.

He then directed me to the front of the house to look out the window. To my surprise, I saw my front yard filled with balloons staked to the ground and some pink streamers with a poster that read HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTEN. Once I got closer, I could tell that each letter was cut out of construction paper very delicately and was amazed at the time that must have taken. I found out the Jessica and Stacy were the sneaky ones. Stacy made the poster and had the idea to stake the balloons down with bent hangars in the ground (I'll have to remember that one) and Jessica is the one who ordered and had to wait at 6am for HEB to get them ready (even though she called ahead to order). They worked furiously in my yard, and worried I'd wake, even though Michael assured them I never wake before 7am. It's true.

Once he got to work, he emailed me my 2nd gift. One he'd been working on since April. He had emailed people from my contact list (he also knows my password) and asked them to "be creative" and share birthday sentiments. He made it into a blog which thoroughly impressed me. A few that I got letters from included my BYU roommates: Amy, Hali, and Abbi. The later two are barely on their computers, so this was a an amazing thing. Amy wrote the cutest poem

on how I've already got the gift of youth. Thanks, Amylicious. You have known me a long time and love me still the same. Abbi wrote a top 10 list of how the roommates knew I was home back in the day. Including clogging in the kitchen and Indigo Girls CD on repeat. Other letters came from Jenn my Jerusalem friend who shared the crazy experience of traveling the world with me and having fun while also have such intense spiritual experiences. Laurie whom I shared a house with as a newlywed (she and her hubby were in the attic with us in the basement). She reminded me of how kindred our spirits are, and how blessed we are to have a circle of friendship from school still exist today. From Cassidy whom is just 2 days younger than me. We had parties on the 8th a few times in high school. We thought we were pretty cool. She has also started a photography business, so we chat about that. She mentioned my "dolphin shrill" and the "kristen stare" which really made me laugh. Nicole reminded me of how we'd get on the radio in the wee hours of the morning (back in high school) and won tickets to a Duran Duran concert and Phil Collins. I got other letters, but not from blog readers, so I'll commence with that commentary.

My kids were still asleep. I laid down for a few minutes, but then got up and read the newest Ensign quietly on the couch. All about how we can share our testimonies through modern technology. I love modern technology. The kids came out and enjoyed the balloon display out the front window. They got cereal, I checked my email and Alice left me birthday wishes. A BYU dear friend who lives in Switzerland, so had a one up on the time advantage to be the first friend to give me love. She also wrote me a wonderful letter to me on "michael's blog."

I got my first call around 8:30am from Linda in Florida. She used to live here, and for 3 and a half great years, we shared our daily lives with each other. Our kids played we watched The Bachelor and Oprah and talked about life and how to raise our children. We still talk nearly weekly, and I'm grateful she made the countdown to my birthday a fun one instead of a sad one. She is the one who mailed me 30 presents a month ago to count down to my birthday. If you want to see them all, click here to see the seperate blog I made for her to see me opening all the gifts.

I then got the kids dressed in the swimsuits for their first day of swim lessons. I signed up 2 months ago as the only 2 week time slot we could do. I dressed myself in my new Target dress and was happy to see my friend G also signed her daughter up for lessons. So I can look forward to chatting with a friend for the next 2 weeks while I watch my 3 little ones improve their swimming skills. I laughed as I watched my 3 kids take instruction from others. They do well. It's fun to be able to focus on all 3 while sitting alone...no little ones to have to hold out of the pool. Such a weird place to be.

Emily called me while we were out to wish me a happy day. She mailed me a package (which I opened later) but wished I'd opened it sooner because the bracelet she sent perfectly matched the dress I wore all day. I got a great letter with pictures of yore from her on "Michael's blog." She and I went to high school together and even planned to be in some classes together in college. Her adorable daughters were models for me 2 years ago as I experimented with my photography. I'm grateful we've stayed in such close touch. Her blog is a witty one to read.

We came home, washed the chlorine out of Alyssa's hair, and I got her all gussied up in a cute new outfit. The kids went to admire the balloons outside when Alyssa decided to squat on the front sidewalk and pee out of her cute new shorts I had just recently placed on her. Then Matthew decided to use the bushes on our lawn as his personal toilet. I promptly reminded them that we have 2 very nice toilets just 20 paces from the very spot they relieved themselves. Sheesh.

My parents called to sing to me. And as much as I love to be with my kids on their birthdays, I realized it must be hard for them to be away from me on mine. I love and am so grateful for my parents, and the fun week they provided us last week for our reunion (pictures later on that one).

My friend Michele then called, who lives just a neighborhood away. It was fun to talk to her as the summer has slipped away from us and we don't seem to see each other very much. She is an example of strength to me. Then Cynthia called from College Station. She used to live 5 houses away from me, but only for 9 short months. We had just become great friends when she moved, and we've kept in touch since she isn't too far away. Our kids love each other and I love to sit and chat with her. It is SHE who introduced the Twilight series to me and forbid me from reading the back cover so I could be surprised...I'm glad she did:) She also wrote me a great list of reasons why we have a great friendship on "Michael's blog."

All day I was thinking about my dear friend Natalie who was in the hospital. The day before I called her and she was so upset that she didn't get my birthday package in the mail, and I couldn't believe she was thinking of me. I've talked to her every year for 15 years on my birthday. She is my old and true friend. My sister. A sweet letter spoke to me on "Michael's blog" as well. She has the world's greatest laugh, and with her, I feel funny.

Around noon Jessica picked me up to go to lunch. Needing kid friendly, we went to Jason's Deli. Jess and I have lunched there with kids before, so it worked out perfectly. The kids actually ate their meals and then I allowed them 2 ice cream cones (they have a machine to do it yourself). They also like to play with Jessica's little guy, Ezra. She told me all about the planning and executing Stacy and she made for the balloon's in the yard. It was fun to hear the details about it afterwords. Jessica also wrote a thoughtful extensive letter on "Michael's blog." I love to hear her stories, she has a great perspective on life.


She took these pictures of me and my kids after lunch.

I then took my kids to Target. On my birthday what makes me happy is to see my kids happy. All year I tell them "no" when they ask for things at the store, and I think we'd all LIKE to spoil our kids and buy they what they want, but WE KNOW it is in THEIR best interest to not have everything they want, right? So, I let them pick out a toy on my birthday. I've done it for a few years, but this year, they seemed a bit greedier. Maybe because we just got off vacation where they are pampered by everyone. They got their toy, I got myself a shirt, and we headed out. I was going to take my charm and bracelet and little ladybug to James Avery to get saudered together, but our van is having some malfunctions, I thought it best to just head home.

Once home, I had a message from my sil Karen, so I called her back. She sang to me the first line of Happy Birthday and then said, "do I need to sing the rest?" To which I laughed and said, "no, I know how it goes." We then talked about photography and lenses, and the fun she's having with her new craft. Michael's parents then called to sing to me with his youngest sis Julie (I just went to link her up and saw she posted about me for my bday--how sweet!) It was nice to chat a bit with them since Michael is usually the one to talk when they call each Sunday night. They sent me a fun package with a really cool apron Janet made me (it is like a big shirt) and a fun necklace and GC to Old Navy.

Tyler ran up to me at home with the cutest card he made all by himself without any promptings. I wondered what cookies he liked that I made and he couldn't come up with that, but it was cute that he said he loves when I make cookies.

I then got a call from my local friend Emily, whom I served with in the Primary Presidency for 2 years. She was the President, and I her counselor, but I always appreciated that she seemed to need me, and included me in all things. We developed a great bond, and though she often seems to be a woman of few words, I feel like I really know her from all the time we've spent together. She welcomed her #3 baby (in 3 years) 2 days after my bday.

As I checked my email throughout the day, I got birthday notes from Natalie C. who is a local friend that is on vacation (she's taught me to make the dolls). My high school drill team buddy, Wendy (who really needs to get a blog--and start leaving comments when she reads mine). It was then that Yahoo news informed me that both Matthew McConaughey and Nicole Kidman had babies on my birthday, which I think is pretty cool. I got an IM from Jeff (my webhost friend in MD whom he and his wife Maren wrote letters on "michael's blog" to me previously). A text from Tamara (my Ricks roommate whose wedding I'll go to next month in San Diego), and facebook nudges by a few photographers and my former Laurel, Kelsey. Have I mentioned I do love modern technology?

Michael came home from work as I was watching last weeks episode of the Bachelorette on the computer. Had to get all caught up. We had Dominoes pizza for dinner. We opened the packages I got in the mail (as previously mentioned) and the cards from my grandparents. My grandma and grandpa Ball and my Grandma Hill ALWAYS without fail send a card with a check in it for each of our birthdays. I am amazed at how thoughtful they are at remembering not just "their own" but the spouses, great grandkids, my cousins, etc. Very generous. My grandma Ball also called me later to give a verbal Happy Birthday wish. All 3 grandparents live in Utah. I got to see the Balls in February, but its been a year since I've seen my gma Hill.

My little brother Russell called, whom you all met in the post he put up. I have always looked up to him as an example, even though he is younger than me. He is the epitomy of goodness and is the peacemaker in our family. He and his wife, Kim, are so good for each other and will be amazing parents someday. I know because of the way they treat my children, who love them to pieces. He just finished his first year of medical school and I look forward to calling him for prescriptions when I really need them...is that legal? I love that they are just a 2 hour drive away in San Antonio.

We had a Birthday family home evening. Michael taught the children how to give me a proper foot massage, opened a few presents, and sat around and had fun. We told him all about our day, as usual, and he probed with even more questions. He told me all about his sneakiness and chatted about the letters friends sent him for me on the blog. He knows well how to make me feel special. (I love Tyler's face here and Matthew and Alyssa with tongue's hanging out).

I then got ready for my evening out while watching the finale of the Bachelorette. Karen H. called to say she couldn't come, but wished me well anyway and dropped off a gift for me the next day (a cute picture frame). She is an old friend that I don't get to chat with that much because of various child stages, but even with a demanding calling at church, she still was thoughtful of me. When I first moved here, I did a play group with her and Linda and our then 2 year olds (Tyler). I have vivid memories of her trying to help her daughter go to the bathroom while pretending her arms was the toilet seat. We were at a park with no bathrooms and this was just hysterical to me. She was also the VERY FIRST family that I did family portraits of, that kick started my photography business almost 5 years ago. I just did their family pictures last month, before her oldest child reported to his mission in Spain.

The doorbell rang and it was time for me to go out. I had to leave the Bachelorette recording....

Jessica and Stacy had contacted Michael a week or so ago about doing a birthday friend gathering the night of my birthday. I didn't know anything about it until Sunday at church when someone said, "see you tomorrow" to which I looked at Stacy and said, "was that supposed to be a surprise?" I guess not, but it was a fun surprise at that point, and to see who was going to come, as I had no idea who was contacted to come. It was Cheesecake Factory for dessert. I'll admit, I have a bit of disdain for the 4th of July holiday because without fail, most of my friends are out of town on my birthday. I mean, you get one day off, why not take 9 more and make it a two week vacation? I was so happy to see a good crowd of great friends gathered to party the night away.

Left to right in back: Jessica, Becca, Gretchen, Emily, Debra, Stacy, Clair, Tiere (Rachelle's sister)

Michele, me, Rachelle, Betty Ann (Rachelle's mom)

Stacy planned the greatest game for us to play while we sat at the table which was so much funner to me than just random conversation with the person next to you that others at the table aren't included in. She said since I am always the question asker, she wanted to see who knew the most about me. She had a list of 15 questions that she asked to see who would get the highest points. Where was I born? How many siblings do I have? What is my maiden name? Where did I got to college? How did I meet Michael? What year was I married? What Temple? My favorite ice cream? It was so much fun for me to watch my friends and then at the end reveal my answers with stories. Becca got the highest score (9 out of 15), and Michele came in half a point behind.

A few friends brought gifts, which I totally don't expect because I rarely bring them to big gatherings. The effort in coming is gift enough for me. Comically, both Jessica and Stacy remembered comments I had made to them about a few different kitchen supplies I was lacking, so that was gifted to me. My lovely neighbor Clair (9th picture down on the link) brought me orange gerbera daisies because she knows I love the color. Becca brought a cute bracelet, Rachelle gave me smelly lotions (and her cool mom got me a Cheesecake GC) and sweet cards from the others. Gretchen, Becca, Michele, and Jessica also wrote letters to me previously on "Michael's blog" for me. I came home from my evening out just happy and content. I felt special and loved all day. On my doorstep I found a pineapple plant from my friend Candida who wasn't able to come and the next day, Jackie brought me bath oils. My sister in law, Jen, called the next day from vacation to make sure I got the package that she sent a week or so ago. It was a cute brown shirt that says "hug." She and her husband did a hilarious birthday tribut via video for me singing in the characters of Babs and some other old guy whom I should probably know. I'm so grateful for my friendship with her, she is an amazing listener and advice giver.

Finally, as a gift to myself, I asked my local photographer friend to take a few shots of me at the blessed age of 29. I've lost weight lately and with plans to gain weight again in the future, I wanted to remember this time. We had so much fun, and I'm glad I got the nerve to do it. I think all women need to do this for themselves.

Happy Birthday to me.