Birthday

I feel like every year I say the same thing in regard to my birthday. I like that my birthday gives me the excuse to be with people that I love. Other than that it isn't my favorite. This year was great though, because the focus was on spending time with people I love.

Anne and I have birthdays 3 days apart, so the past few years we've sort of combined them, at least a little bit. Wednesday night, the day before my birthday, Emily Ruth made veggie sandwiches and butternut squash soup for dinner. She said that when she thought of us and food she thought of veggie sandwiches. It was totally the perfect dinner. We're semi-obsessed with them during the summer when there are good fresh vegetables. Later that night we ate these delicious mini peanut butter and chocolate cheesecakes that Emily Ruth made. We didn't have any candles, so we used matches. It was kind of a miracle that we had all of our roommates and our two honorary roommates (Spencer and Cole) all there at the same time. So obviously I insisted on a picture. Oh the protests I heard! But, I pulled the birthday card and I'm glad I did because these are literally the only pictures we have of all six of our roommates together. 

The yummy cheesecakes

Anne, Emily Ruth, Emily Anne, Brittni, Me, and Haley

The next day, I went to class and work as usual. Bryson came over and visited for a little while before dinner, which was delightful. I forgot how much I love that kid! Spencer and Anne made lime honey chicken enchiladas for dinner, which were amazing! Then Anne and I headed up to the HFAC to see the play "Pride and Prejudice." Yeah, Anne knows me really well. I was a little wary at first, but I absolutely loved it. Bingley and Collins especially were awesome. 

Afterward we went to the Malt Shoppe (after a few other failed ideas). Anne and Spencer didn't stay, but I made sure I got a picture with her outside first. We had a great time talking and laughing. I loved getting to spend time with so many of my friends all at once. 

Everyone minus Karen and Briggs: Kyle, Jordan, John John, Nick,
Emily Ruth, Me, Haley, Brad, Jon, Emily Anne, Brittni and Cole 

After we got home, Jack and Corey came over to give me my present from them. They are hilarious. Jack explained that they were trying to come up with something and were thinking about his birthday. For his birthday, people give Jack Mountain Dew flavored things because he loves it so much. But I don't drink anything but water. So they decided they would find the "freshest water in all the land" and give it to me. Corey showed me the video of Jack in the Provo River gathering water in a glass bottle and then they gave me the bottle, along with the "map" they used to find it. 

I totally love those boys. It was a great present. 

That weekend was Conference Weekend, so I got spend a lot of time with all my family, which I love. It really did turn out great.

Birthdays

So here's the thing. I've never really liked my birthday that much. I find the whole everyone-gives-you-a-ton-of-attention thing awkward. I didn't do anything to deserve it, so why in the world would everyone just be celebrating me. It feels weird.

Pretty much everyone thinks I'm weird that I don't like my birthday, so the past couple years my friends have done everything in their power to make it an enjoyable day for me. Luckily it's worked.

Right at midnight I got a text from cute Karen, just to start the day off right: "KRISTA KEDDINGTON THANK YOU FOR BEING A GLORIOUS RAY OF SUNSHINE THAT BRIGHTENS MY FRIGGN LIIIIIIIIIIIFE! i can't wait to see you in two days and giggle and dance together under rainbows and falling stars in celebration of your birth and our equally beautiful friendship:)" And then I went to bed. Which is also good because I like sleep.

It wasn't anything spectacular for most of the day. I went to school and work in the morning. (The sunshine helped make everything great, though.)

For lunch I went to Zupas with Kate since she is on her spring break. Two of my favorite things: good food and Kate. It was great to talk to her for a couple hours. There is nothing quite like old friends (even if they
aren't even that old). I love having friends that no matter how long it has been since I've seen or talked to them we can pick up right where we left off. And that is definitely how it is with Miss Kate. Man, I really don't want her and Ryan to move to Louisiana!

I went back and worked for an hour before coming back to my apartment. I was going to go renew my drivers license but for the life of me could not find my Social Security Card. Looks like I'm going to have a great time tearing my apartment up this weekend looking for it. While I was in the midst of that Haley and Emily Ruth showed up with the flowers Shannon had sent me and we talked and laughed for a little while.

Flowers from Shan and the book from Anne

I also opened up my present from Anne. And then I promptly cried. She had put together a cute book of pictures and notes from my friends and family. She worked hard to make sure that there was at least one note from someone from each stage of my life. And she put Derrick's note on the first page, so obviously I was a goner. I also cried when I was talking to my dad when he called to wish me a happy birthday. I felt so old but also so incredibly grateful for my amazing parents, even if my mom hates that her baby girl is 21. Don't worry though, I'll always be their baby girl.

After dinner at The Olive Garden (which was great!) some people came over for cake that Emily Anne had made for me. It was one of the prettiest things you've ever seen! And so good! Two layers of chocolate cake with peanut butter chocolate ice cream in the middle. Delicious!

Beautiful and delicious cake!

Cory, Emily Ruth, Jack, Emily Anne, Allan, Me, Blake, Jordan, John John, and Haley

The night ended in lots of laughing, talking and Psych watching. So great!

Since Anne and I both got flowers for our birthdays and I'm in a floral design class,
we have a large amount of flowers round these parts.

Anne's birthday is just a few days after mine, so Thursday night we decided we should celebrate both of our birthdays by going with our girls (Karen, Haley, Emily Anne, and Emily Ruth) to dinner (except Emily Ruth wasn't actually at dinner) at the Black Sheep Cafe. Oh my goodness very possibly some of the best food I've eaten in ages! Seriously SO GOOD! We picked up Emily Ruth and came back to our apartment for ice cream and strawberries. And lots, and lots of laughing. So much so that between our extremely full stomachs and how hilarious we think we are, we were completely in pain. But the good kind.

Karen, Haley, Me, Anne, and Emily Anne

Karen is an amazing artist and she made these little wall hangings for Anne and I for our room. I guess when we no longer live together we're going to have to have a battle for the "&". (I'll totally win.)

Sunday morning I went home and celebrated by birthday up there. The only one who took pictures was my Aunt Marie, so I don't have any of those. But it was crazy and loud, but also fun. Instead of a cake we had cinnamon rolls. Unfortunately they were still super hot when I was blowing out the candles, so the candles were melting from both sides! It made for some slightly waxified cinnamon rolls, but that's okay!

We finished out the day by watching Conference and going to Uncle Craig's for dinner with a lot of the Keddington family. The past few years has seen a low turn out at conference dinner, but this time it was packed! It was fun to see everyone! I love that my birthday is always near conference because then I have double the reason to spend time with my family and friends!

Mama

My mom's birthday was a couple days ago. As my dad says, she turned 9. So, in honor of her, here are just 9 of the reasons my mom is the best!

Dad and Mom, August 2012

1. She's extremely talented. Seriously. She cooks, sews, crochets, decorates cakes, plays basketball and volleyball, draws, sings, has the uncanny ability to make up new words to songs, and can always come up with fun/funny/cute sayings or gifts to give people. She's the white elephant champ. She also is very stylish. The majority of the clothes in my closet were picked out by mom. Even if she doesn't understand why we like the clothes we do, she knows what we like and I will always trust her to pick out clothes for me.

Me and Mom, August 2012

2. She went back to school when I was 9. It meant she was at home less, so realize it might seem weird that I love that she did it. But she taught me so much in those years, just by example. I learned that it is never too late to fulfill dreams. I learned that if you feel it is right, you should do it, no matter what anyone else thinks. I learned that it is important to always keep learning. I learned that marriage is a partnership with ever evolving roles and responsibilities. I learned that through hard work, we can do the things we set our minds to. I learned that quality time spent together is more important than the quantity of the time. I learned more about my own capabilities as I became more independent.

Grandma and Grandpa with their grandkids (minus Connor), November 2011

3. She believes women and equal to men and has gone out of her way her whole life to prove it. She was on the first girls' basketball team at Centerville Junior. She was in the first wood shop class that allowed girls there too. Same goes for college when she was determined to prove to her lifting teacher that girls were just as good as boys. Demanding respect as a women is something she's definitely passed onto her children.

Mom and Dad, August 2012

4. She loves to talk. I also love to talk. (I think that's where I get it.) The two of us have probably discussed everything there is to discuss. When we were little she use to talk on the phone a lot, but now she prefers talking in person. Whenever I'm struggling though, I call my mom and she'll talk me down from my breakdowns. She rarely gives me advice (something that is, admittedly, a teeny bit frustrating at times). Instead she imparts wisdom so that I can make the decisions myself.

Mom and me in New York, April 2010

5. She has a gift with youth. I mean, the woman has gone to girls' camp over 20 times. Sometimes, I think my mom actually gets along better with youth than with adults. She can always tell where a need is with the young people she interacts with and does what she can to help. Her personality makes it so that young people like her, even if they don't want to in the beginning. She has a great balance of wisdom, humor, stubbornness, honesty, and love that has enabled her to connect with people others can't, and to stay connected to them throughout their lives.

Me, Taylor Frey, and Mom, New York, April 2010

6. She's funny. When she gets in her "girls' camp mood", basically all anyone does is laugh! And, when she was in college, she and her cousin/roommate had a comedy show: Ethel and Harriet. They still pull it out occasionally. It's hilarious! (Also, I want to be as close to my roommates after college as she has always been!) Plus, if she can get away with it, she likes to tell people her name is Kate, which is a far cry from her real name (Helen). She's slightly crazy and it's awesome!

Dad and Mom, August 2012

7. She's an amazing Grandma. Those kids just love her. She's sort of the classic Grandma. You know, lets the kids win in games, gives them treats, lets them stay up late (shhh...don't tell Amy and Spencer!). She would absolutely do anything for them. She loves reading, playing, dancing, and singing with them. And she doesn't even get too annoyed when they always want to "help" her make things in the kitchen.

Dad, Lyla, Mom, and Dax, Christmas 2011

8. She has an amazing heart. Both my parents just care so deeply for all of the people around them. I hope someday I can learn to be as kind, friendly, and caring to everyone around me. She is always trying to come up with ways to make the lives of those around her better. She works with a lot of kids who don't have the best home lives, but she is the perfect person to work with them because she instantly cares about all of them, even if they drive her crazy sometimes.

The Birthday Kids, Nate and Mom, January 2012

9. She's my mom. There are times when I get sort of freaked out at how much I act like my mom. But then I think that there is no one else I'd want to be more like. She passed on her stubbornness, intelligence, musical abilities, love of BYU and sports, love of education, hard work, love, sewing skills, cooking skills, and emphasis on family first to me. Everyday I try harder to develop those things so that someday I can be as incredible as my Mama. 

Mom and all her girls, November 2011
(L to R: Mandi, Shannon, Mom, Lyla, Alicia, Amy, Abby, and Me)

Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you so much, for reasons I can never fully express!

And Happy Birthday to my awesome big brother, Nate, too! He was born the day after my mom. You are an incredible big brother (as I have already said here) and I love you! 

Connor Joseph

Saturday, June 30 at 2:10 am Amy and Spencer's fourth child was born:  Connor Joseph, weighing in at 6 lbs. 10 oz. and 20 inches long.

His poor little bruised head! Don't worry, it looks much worse in pictures than real life.

A few hours after he was born, Connor was taken to the NICU because he was having troubles keeping his oxygen and blood sugar levels up.  Luckily he only had to be there for a few days and got the all clear to come home today!

Sunday was Amy's birthday, so I went to Centerville and after dinner, we loaded up the cars with family, cake, and presents and went to celebrate with her in her room at the hospital.  It was more than slightly insane to have so many people and little kids in the room, but it was fun.

Amy's traditional birthday cake

This time it was double decker with strawberries in the middle

My attempt at getting Daxton to hold still...it didn't work

The cute birthday girl!

Amy looked so good and happy, especially after just having given birth a little over 24 hours beforehand.  Seriously, she is a rock star.  And one heck of a mother.  Blows me away all the time.

After the party, we got to go, in small groups, down to the NICU to see and hold baby Connor.  

Amy and Connor

Me holding Connor!

Man, I love babies!  He's so tiny (even if he was almost a whole pound bigger than the rest of Amy's babies) and sweet, with the cutest little blonde hair.  I loved getting to hold him.  As not fun as having a baby in the NICU is, it is something really special to be down there.  There is just such an amazing peace, stillness, and love there.  (I really do think you should be a neonatal nurse, Leesh.  It'd be such an amazing place to work).  I've heard that angels walk the halls at Primary Children's Hospital, but I think they walk the halls of every NICU, too.  

Congratulations Spencer, Amy, Abby, Lyla, and Max on your newest addition!  I love you all!

(P.S. I have a picture of Shannon with Connor too, but couldn't get it to rotate. So sorry, Shan!)

"My name does not rhyme with Banana!"

This beautiful girl is Shannon:

Or as we like to call her, Shannon Bananan (partially because it annoys her that everyone seems to think her name rhymes with "banana.").

Now that I'm done with finals, I can do her birthday post!  (Sorry I'm a few days late, Shanny!)

I'm not really even sure where to start.  Shannon's just awesome!  I'm in more of a list mood than a novel-long-paragraphs mood today, so in honor of her 26th birthday, I'll write 26 of my most favorite things about Shannon (in no particular order)!

1.  She taught me how to read.  Okay, okay, I already knew how to read.  But she taught be how to read out loud and be confident in it.  She made me read the scriptures to her every night when we shared a room growing up.  I think we both hated it at first because I was such a slow reader, but she never gave up and made me keep going.  So yes, I am going to claim the position as the first of many children that Shannon has taught to read.

2.  She hugs me even though she doesn't really like hugs.  It doesn't happen all the time, but when she knows I need it or it is important to me, she is willing to hug me.  And she doesn't even try to pull back super fast...most of the time.

3.  She is an extraordinary teacher.  She loves her job and her students so much.  She is always willing to go above and beyond the call of duty to help to make the lives of the ones she teaches better.  This past year was exhausting for her, but she never gave up on her students and they have all come such a long way.

4.  She is super in tune with the spirit.  I would never have met the people I've met or done some of the things I've done without that.  It makes life hard for her at times, but she always does what she knows is right.

5.  Her dimple.  It's so great.  I especially love it when she gets all bashful and looks down while her dimple tells you just how pleased she is.

6.  The fact that she still thinks so many things are gross.  Like little (and often times not so little) boys.  And sometimes little girls (who shall remain nameless).  Some of the best stories come from the confusion caused when she refuses to say gross words.  

7.  She has rhythm but is not a dancer.  One of my all-time favorite videos of Shannon is one from the year before I came to Provo and all of them are dancing to a rap song and trying to be gangster.  Sorry, Shan, but you are no gangster!

8.  She has a beautiful voice.  She always has.  And she is the one who inspired both Leesh and I to sing, for which I will be forever grateful.

9.  She works super hard.  She basically worked two jobs the entire time we lived together in Provo and still managed to always get things done.

10.  She laughs with me, even if what happened isn't funny.  She always makes fun of me for my inability to tell stories when I'm laughing.  I swear it happens ten times as often when I'm around her than anyone else.

11.  She shakes uncontrollably when she laughs.  Even if you can't hear her laughing, you can always feel it.

12.  She has always been my friend, not just my sister.  Even in high school when it is way cooler to hang out with just your friends, Shannon included me a lot.  She has been there for me in a way that no one else was in college too, because she knew me so well that she didn't even have to ask to know what was wrong. 

13.  She has had some bad past boyfriends.  It sounds weird that I like that, but it has provided me with many learning experiences.  And lots of fun plotting what we could do to the poor unfortunate souls who didn't treat her right.

14.  She tends to date attractive boys with ugly names.  It's just funny.

15. I love the summer before she left on her mission.  Us three sisters spent SO much time together that summer.  We made so many great memories tending the twins, eating scones and fries at Dairy Queen, going to rehearsal, and staying up late talking and laughing for hours.

16.  She loves missions and missionaries.  You will never find a better ally or better advice for a mission than her.

17.  She's a sucker for little kids.  She just loves playing with them and is WAY more patient with them than the rest of us.  Needless to say, she picked the right career.

18.  She's very intelligent.  She also uses the most proper and uncommon words of anyone I know without sounding pretentious.   

19.  She loves to talk.  I love our phone chats, even if they are infrequent at times because of our busy lives.

20.  She gets shocked every time goes to Wal-mart (and yes, I was writing this while talking to you on the phone, Shan!).

21.  She's delightful to go on road trips with.  And she gets really giddy about half-way through.

22.  She's willing to be goofy with the rest of us when we need her to be, even though most of the time she is WAY too mature for our antics. 

23.  Whenever we sleep in the same room, neither of us can fall asleep without saying "Night Joy, I love you!" and "Night Shanny, I love you!"  It's our ritual.

24.  Most of the time she can't last sleeping in the same bed with anyone else.  Okay, mostly just me and Alicia.  Although, she has gotten significantly better at it the last year or so. 

25.  She is stubborn.  Super-duper stubborn.  I love that no one can push her around.  And that she'll defend her position no matter who or what comes against her. 

26.  She's my big sister.  And she's everything to me that a big sister should be.  She understands, is supportive, and is super loyal.  When I came home and told Shannon I was going to have surgery on my knees, she hugged me and told me how happy she was for me.  Everyone else would think that was weird, but she knew that was exactly what I needed and that really, it was a good thing.  I don't know why, but that is one "sisterly" moment that I will always love and never forget.

Happy Belated Birthday, Shanny!  I love you more than you know!