Twenty-Six

I cannot believe I am officially 26 years old. It's not that I think 26 is old, but I think it's the fact that I'm now in my late 20s...not sure I like how that sounds! Mid-20s sounds waayyy better! It feels like just the other day I was turning 16 and getting my very first car. My how time flies! I have to admit I was dreading my birthday this year...I did not want to partake in any big celebrations...no big dinners with family/friends or any parties! I pretty much was trying to boycot the entire birthday.

Much to my dismay, the celebrations started earlier in the week. On Wednesday night, I was sitting in my house (in sweats and no make-up) and I heard a knock on the door. I muted my TV and sat very still....then I heard a group of ppl break into "Happy Birthday"!!!! I opened the door to find 5 of my best friends standing on my porch with balloons and cupcakes! I was VERY surprised!! They were planning to surprise me at dinner that night, but I had decided not to go to dinner that night due to budgetary concerns. I think I threw a kink in their plan...sorry y'all! I am very blessed to have such an amazing group of friends. They brought me one my very favorite desserts...a dozen Edgar's strawberry cupcakes! They were YUMMY!!!

Thursday night, I went to dinner with Sister, Blake, and the DB. I tried to resist, but my sister insisted I had to come so that Katherine could give me her presents...apparently, she had been shopping very hard!! haha Below are some pics of the treats from my friends and the DB!!

I had been dying for one of these batter bowls!!

Sister and I are obsessed with MJ! I was super-excited when I opened this DVD!!!

I have quite possibly gained 10 lbs in a week from eating all of these! They were AMAZING!!

My actual birthday was on Friday. For those of you who live in the South, you all know what a crazy day that was weather-wise. I wasn't even sure I would have to work that day due to the impending snow, but we did get to go in on-time. I am blessed to work with some amazing people! To work with the special kids I work with I think it takes extra-special people. Some of my coworkers surprised me with these beautiful flowers!! They were gorgeous and my favorite color!!! Right after they surprised me with the flowers, the snow started to fall. It was so beautiful!!! Thankfully, we had an early dismissal! It was definitely a birthday to remember. My mom informed me that morning that it snowed on my 1st Birthday too!!!

I loved my flowers!

I think in total we got around 2-3 inches of snow!

My birthday present from AK and Blake were tickets to the Black Eyed Peas concert. I could have never guessed how wonderful it was going to be. LMFAO and Ludacris opened for them. Luda busted out all his old school tunes...I had forgotten how many hits he has had! The B.E.P's sang all the classics, all the new stuff, and Fergie even sang several of her own songs!!! We had AMAZING seats...probably the best seats I've ever had at a concert. I probably shouldn't call it a concert, it was more of an "experience". I stood the entire time, danced and screamed throughout the whole concert. By the end when they played "I Gotta Feeling", I was jumping and fist pumping...Snookie from Jersey Shore would have been so proud of me! haha If my big necklace wouldn't have been so heavy, I would have jumped higher!! We had the BEST time and I'm really depressed it's over. If anyone is looking for a great concert, I highly recommend this one..it's well worth the money!!

Sister and me at the Black Eyed Peas!!!!

We were so close to them!!

If I would have taken "The Reb", I think I could have seen them sweat!! haha

Fergie is probably the coolest person ever!

To end out the birthday week, Sister and I went to A'ville today for a birthday lunch with the parentals and the DB. We had a FABULOUS lunch...buttermilk fried chicken, mac and cheese (my absolute favorite), deviled eggs, black-eyed peas, and pound cake! All of these were requests from me!! I'm a southern girl to the core! My parents are so amazing and they outdid themselves as usual for my birthday and for Valentine's Day. Below are pics from lunch.

I thought this was a cool action shot of the DB! She was decked out in her Valentine's finest thanks to Aunt TT!

My mom's beautiful V-Day inspired tablescape!!

The first present I opened was this super-cute Vineyard Vines jacket...it's preppy and pink! My two favorite things!!!

Present #2 was a new camera lens!! I am super-pumped to finally have a professional lens!

Birthday cake from the Albertville Home Bakery is the BEST cake in the world!!!

The DB made me a valentine!!!!

I also got a new camera bag...it's a Crumpler! Now it just has to be monogrammed!
I might not be able to take professional pics yet, but I'm sure trying to look like a pro in the process!!

Even though I was completely dreading turning 26, it was a wonderful birthday! From the snow, to the B.E.P.'s, to the new camera accessories, to the amazing food, it could not have been any better. Thanks to everyone for all the birthday wishes! I am a very lucky girl to be surrounded by such thoughtful people. Next weekend I'm off to NOLA for Britt's Bachelorette party!!!! Don't think "The Reb" will be making the trip, but the old digital will be out in full force!