My Birthday in Pictures

It's my birthday! I'm 24 years old today. Happy My Birthday, Mom! Sorry you had to go through that 48 hours of labor to have me... hope it was worth it! (and sorry you had to wait 24 years to hear that, lol)

As I've been whining about for a week now, Steve had to leave today for TDY (somehow those letters stand for going-out-of-town-for-something in the Army, but I'm not sure how exactly). So, we started our "celebration" yesterday after I got off work. Speaking of work, yesterday was also my last day at Payless. :(

Me and Emy the last day we worked together... wish I had a picture with Katy, but I forgot to bring my camera that day! :( I'm gonna miss my Payless girls so much! I'll be glad to have the last month without work, though, so I can get some things done around here before I go home.

Oh, but my manager Katy gave me a gift card to Goody's, my fav clothing store, for my birthday, so GUESS WHO GETS TO GO SHOPPING WHILE STEVE IS GONE!! :) (It's me.)

So here's how it went: I came home from work around 1:30 pm, ate lunch and was surprised with a Baskin Robbins Ice Cream Cake from Steve and the boys! I was resolving to be okay with no birthday cake, so I really was surprised. (Although I had threatened him with violence if I didn't get an ice cream cake this year... every year I ask for one and do I get one? Not till this year!)

Since we didn't have anyone to take our picture as a family, we kinda just passed the camera around the table and took pictures of each other, lol.

Josh

Steve

Steve and I (Josh took this picture, he did good huh!)

And since we always take a picture of ourselves on my birthday... this is the one.

The boys and me

Asher, loving that cake!


After cake, for some reason Steve wanted to straighten my hair. It was actually kinda nice having someone do it for me, lol! I took a picture for proof that he took care of me on my birthday. haha! Then we packed up the car and drove an hour to Topeka, where we stayed in the Sleep Inn. Our room was really nice, with a microwave and fridge, and we were wishing we'd thought to bring our swimsuits for the pool.

After we checked in, we went over to the Topeka Mall, which ended up being a huge disappointment. I was ready to spend money, but Asher wasn't having it, so we ended up just leaving because he spent the entire time whining and crying about it. After I called my mom and complained about his behavior, I realized she probably didn't feel very bad for me, since I ALWAYS threw fits in/around/near shopping malls when I was a child!

After our shopping trip failed... (well, it wasn't a total failure... I was able to get a fitting at Victoria's Secret - which was much more invasive than I had expected, lol - and got a much-needed new bra and lip gloss. While we're on the subject, Victoria's Secret lipgloss is the BEST.EVER.) ...we went to my favorite restaurant, Olive Garden (which is the real reason we stayed in Topeka overnight... that's the closest Olive Garden)! My attitude was immediately adjusted with the smell of breadsticks and pasta. :)

Olive Garden is my happy place.


After a not-very-restful sleep in the hotel (I HATE hotel beds and always have bad dreams in them, not sure why), we woke up and had the best continental breakfast I've ever had in a hotel/motel before. We even had time to run to Kohl's before we headed to the airport and I picked up a new outfit. :) I need new clothes DESPERATELY, so I'm happy.


We spent the rest of the morning driving Steve to the airport and back (about 4 1/2 hours).

Steve just called and told me he had an amazing flight, sitting next to a man who lost his son in the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. He said they had a great conversation and he made it safely to D.C.

Here it is, 4 pm on my birthday, and we're back home. The house is feeling empty already, and I'm getting restless. So call or text or email or comment.... I'm going to be very bored for three weeks without Steve!!!