It's my party and I'll blog if I want to.

Well, no actual party here, but I will blog if I want to.

It's my birthday! And, it's already awesome because I got to sleep in past 6:30am. And shower alone. You mamas out there know how rare that is. But, I didn't get to have my breakfast to myself. E set her sights on my toast and basically jedi mind tricked me into giving her a bite.

It's only 10:30am and I've already received an outpouring of love via calls, texts, emails and FB love. Being so far away from my family and most of my friends makes this birthday all together different. But, if I've learned anything in the past year it's that friendships are not defined by your geographical location. I have managed to maintain friendships with my best girl friends (Heather, Kacie, Bri, Kirsten... and a few others) from afar. And while we're not apart of each others daily lives right now, they are always in my heart. I'm lucky to have the type of girlfriends where we can pick up right where we left off after a week or many months.

This, marking my 28th year, has been one of the most trying and rewarding to date. We moved 1,200 miles away from our comfort zone, bought a house, and traveled, a lot, back home. We continue to adjust to our new life, but are starting to find our community and our stride in our new home. The coming year has so much to offer our family and I continue to be so thankful. I have the most amazing partner to shower me with love on my birthday (even if I did still have to clean out the litter box...). I got cuddles with my perfect girl this morning... and the reminder that as I get older, I get wiser, most comfortable in my own skin, and happier with the life I've created.

But, because my mom would not want me to go without sharing my entry into the world...I will gladly share with you how I am told each year that I join us.

From my mom: "I missed the 1984 Olympics in LA, our backdoor, because you refused to be born. I had a terrible time the last few weeks because I had toxemia, and it was the hottest summer in Long Beach in 25 years. Once I finally went in to have you (15 days late) I was in hard labor for more hours than I can remember. Finally they told me I could have a c-section or come back tomorrow. I told them to get that damn baby out of me. And, I was back to work 2 weeks later. I only had one child because you came first."

Now isn't that the most blissful birth story. Basically, she had toxemia and her body was rejecting me... great.

Now my grandma gia: "Nobody ever wanted you as much as you grandpa and I did. We waited all day to see you and loved you already. In fact, we were there the morning you and your mom were able to go home before anyone had her things ready to go home. You were the most beautiful baby in the hospital and your grandpa and I were the most proud we could be."

I suppose 24 hours of hard labor will skew your memory of the birth a little, eh?

Despite all the birthday love and wishes, my favorite part of this day has always been the fact that I shared it with my Grandma Dotzie. She always said my mom was the best daughter-in-law for giving her the greatest birthday present. It was something special that we shared. My grandma doztie passed away a little over two years ago. And I miss her everyday, but today I think of her the most. I miss her everyday. She was a wonderful grandmother who, if she had nothing else to give, would always give me love and a listening ear.

I celebrate my birthday today, and I celebrate it with my grandma in my heart.