35

Sheesh…I’m getting old!

35 years old already!? How did that happen? I swear I just graduated from college not that long ago, but in reality it’s been over 10 years since I was walking the grounds at BYU as a student. WHAT!? Then add a few years of working as teacher, meeting Andrew and getting married, popping out three babies, and I guess the time really does add up.

Well, if I do have to grow older, I am grateful for the people who surround me as I go through life. Andrew and my mom chatted and planned out a few fun things for me to celebrate my birthday. The day started out with a delicious gourmet home-made breakfast made by…me. Haha. I wasn’t sad about that. I think I make better breakfasts than you can get at most restaurants. Since I wasn’t going to have a cake for my birthday, I decided to start the day out with basically dessert: brioche french toast, buttermilk syrup that is practically caramel, crispy bacon, and orange juice. YUM! Grace offered the sweetest prayer to bless the food and she also asked Heavenly Father to bless my birthday that I could have fun. She is such a sweet girl.

Then we packed everyone in the car and drove to my aunt’s house. She was gracious enough to offer to watch Grace and Madelyn so that Andrew and my parents could take me on a little surprise trip. The surprise: going to the Richard Nixon Library and Museum. Am I a nerd that I have been wanting to go to this place for a while now? I lived in Yorba Linda for almost my entire childhood, and the closest I ever got to going in was to take Prom picture outside by the fountains.

So we explored the museum, and I have to say: Nixon was an amazing president! We usually remember him by the Watergate scandal and his subsequent resignation, but he implemented a ton of great programs to help the people and the environment, and he really unified the nation in a time where there was so much division and hate. Honestly, I wish we could get a president like that now! I highly recommend going to the Richard Nixon Library if you get the chance. The house were he was born and raised is there on the property, as well as a presidential helicopter he used for travel. It was all very fascinating.

Lastly, we went to dinner by the beach. A friend had suggested we go to a restaurant in Laguna Beach called South of Nicks. It was a delicious meal. I mean really delicious. It has been a long, long time since I have felt so satisfied and pleased with an entire meal like that. Everyone’s food was equally delicious: the filet mignon fajitas, the carnitas plate, the shrimp diablo, and the chicken flautas. Oh man, it makes my mouth water just writing about it. And then the dessert knocked it out of the park: churros with candied pecans over vanilla ice cream, and butter cake with berry compote and vanilla ice cream as well. I’ll admit, it was a pricier meal, but if you are looking for a nice splurge, I HIGHLY recommend South of Nicks. I think it is my new favorite restaurant.

And with that, the day was done. I felt so loved and had such a great time celebrating my birthday. It was one to be remembered.