Special 11-11-11 Birthday!

(Having to catch up...)

Derek planned a special day of 11 surprises for my 11-11-11 birthday. Also, if you multiply 11x3= 33 was the age I turned on that special day.

I was thrilled to have my parents, Abuelita, sister Jess and her kids here visiting too the week of my birthday. On my birthday, 1 I woke up to everyone singing Happy Birthday and 2 bouquet of 11 pink tulips in a vase from my honey. Derek also gave my mom a bouquet of tulips too, since she had something to do with my birth as well. :) I thought it was soo sweet and so did she.

Then I walked into a kitchen full of people cooking a 3 delicious Belgian waffles, sausage, lots of fresh fruit, breakfast. Yummy!!

I enjoyed my 4 birthday cards and the ones Derek and Cassidy made themselves. Then the doorbell rang and it was my visiting teachers who came with birthday hugs and a cute water fountain gift. It actually was quite funny because we found out that my parents know my visiting teacher Melanie's sister because she's in my parent's ward in Arizona. And my sister Jess knew her other sister from college. Small world. :)

After breakfast, we got dressed and headed out to go 5 shopping at the Shops at the Briargate. Derek wanted me to buy whatever my heart desired. It doesn't sound exciting, but I bought a pretty bra, I really needed a new one. One of the ladies at the cashier asked me for my birthday and then the conversation went like this: "Oh Happy Birthday!" "Are you having a great birthday?" Of course I couldn't help but smile and share the thoughtful ways my honey has made the day special so far and that it wasn't over. She was so giddy about the whole idea and loved the 11 surprises throughout the whole day. I think it melted her heart as much as it melted mine. She had to tell her other co-workers right in front of us. It was cute! Derek was a little embarrassed.

While we were shopping Derek gave me a little gift box. I opened it and inside was a carved wooden cell phone (he made himself with his scroll saw) giving me a hint that he was giving me the chance to enter the new world of Smart Phones. 6 I love my new Samsung Epic 4G Touch- Android!

After we finished shopping, we were getting hungry so we stopped at the 7 mall to eat lunch. It was nice because there were many choices of food. It was also fun to watch the kiddos play at the indoor playground.

Then on the way home Derek dropped me off at a 8 Spa for a Body Massage. I was so surprised! I had never had one before and without any notice I was being spoiled with one. He told me he would come pick me up after I was finished. It was soo relaxing and so nice. I felt like I was on cloud nine. My knight in shining armor came to pick me up and we headed back home. On the way home my friend Tiffany called and told me she had something for me since we were just down the street we went to see her. She had baked a huge chocolate chip cookie and decorated it with my name on it. It was so sweet! After our visit we headed home to find another friend had dropped off a gift for me, lotions and comfy slippers. It was so thoughtful.

9 At home Derek handed me some new Scentsy candles, flavors- Citrus passion & Vanilla Cream. I was excited! Later he mentioned he had planned to let me take a nap after lunch and have the candles burning during my nap before my massage appointment but we ran out of time. I reassured him not to worry because I practically took a nap during the massage. He's so sweet. Sheesh not like he hasn't done way too much already! :)

Everyone was ready for dinner by this point so they had me choose where to eat. 10 I chose Mimi's Cafe. I was in the mood for their sweet and sour chicken. It was a great experience for all. Since this was the first time the kids and Abuelita experienced dirt cake with gummy worms. Their faces were priceless and the laughter in that room was contagious!


After dinner we went home and Derek asked everyone to go downstairs. Hmmmm. What's going on???? The next thing I knew we were all sitting down and then 11 Derek turns on some music to a song I'm in love with now, "Without You" by David Guetta. And Derek starts singing this song to me and I just soak it up while my family is sitting around me smiling. My eyes were tearing up with all this love in my heart for this MAN standing in front of me. Then all of a sudden the beat picks up and my entire family jumps up and dances like this was planned all along but I HAD NO CLUE!! Everyone, kids and adults were dancing! I think the only reason why my twin nephews weren't dancing too was because I was cuddling with them on my lap and they couldn't get away. I couldn't stop laughing it was AMAZING! I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!! I wish my honey would have let me video tape the whole thing. :) Everytime I hear this song, it makes me smile and laugh out loud because of that memory. I will never forget it! I loved how Derek had my family practice this when I was away having my heavenly massage. I was the only one that didn't know what was about to go down later that night, a dance party in our basement! Of course my mom loves to dance too and sometimes can't control her body so she popped my dad in the nose with her flying hand. My dad was a good sport. It was so funny to talk about afterwards together. This last surprise had to be my favorite part of the whole day!!

I am soo grateful for the abundance of love I felt from people I care about so much. From the cards and gifts I received in the mail, happy birthday wishes on facebook and email, Birthday lunch with my friend Jamie who was also celebrating a November birthday, Birthday phone calls, family visiting for my special day, Derek and Cassidy bringing so much joy. Thank you!!!! Thank you!!! Thank you!!!!