27.

Birthday. May 23. Usually I have a thing with odd-numbered years. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that it's already labeled "odd," so it can't be that great of a year. Or maybe it's that "odd" is just one letter away from being old. I've been trying to change my thought process/mindset...trying to think of positive things that odd is one letter away from...but all I'm coming up with is add, edd (heaven bless me if I marry someone named "edd" this year), ode (a lyric poem typically of elaborate or irregular metrical form and expressive of exalted or enthusiastic emotion.) !!!!

I'm over it 

My birthday rocked, though, for realz! I felt so loved, from so many different directions. The kids at school surprised me with cards with things they liked about me (mostly consisting of "you're nice" and "you teach me Chinese" and "you bought us doughnuts that one time"), I got a surprise bouquet of flowers at work (I almost just typed "bouquet of doughnuts" HAHA), and tons of phone calls from my family members and loved ones. I loved it. 

I got to skype with my man Jacob, too. Before he left for Cincy, he was so sweet to surprise me with an awesome shirt

 that I've been wearing ever since.

Then my friend Maranda

 planned a sweet birthday dance mix and party for me down in St. George. It was such a relaxing, chill, weekend...well, mostly...minus the time spent caving

 in Bloomington Caves. That four hours underground was spent offering countless prayers up to Heaven above about how if I live through it, I won't ever complain about being 27 again. Contrary to how I look in this picture

 I was mostly terrified out of my mind that I would fall into the depths of nothing and die.

But that was only four hours of the trip. We also had lots of girl talk

 selfies at church in between Sunday school & RS

 Apple crisp (YES)

 Hikes in Kolob Canyon

 complete with corny poses

 And huge trees

 and hanging out with two of my bestie friends Bethany & Jami

 and people thinking we were in high school

 and wearing sweet 70's shades & having dance parties in the parking lot of Kolob canyon

Love the people in my life. 

27.