Instead of posting all those photos on one post, I decided to compact them into a slideshow. Those with dial-up will be able to view it easier without having to load all the photos.

 

I had a wonderful birthday, needless to say. I had a wonderful time in fellowship with all my family and friends, and I thank God for the opportunity to do so. Within the past year God has blessed us with great friends and bringing our family closer in relationships.The gifts I received were my Grandma & Aunt were able to drive up from New Mexico. Grandma give me a perm BEFORE my birthday and also an old English Grammar book. Rachel gave me $30 (which I spent on Mother Dear). I also got $40 of just birthday money, which I am deciding what to spend it on. I’d like some more shirts to wear as my wardrobe is sorely lacking. Of course my afghan from the Browns. The shawl from Eyebright & Bluejane. I received a lovely handmade bracelet from Narniagirl. Miss Sharla sent me a book called “A Prairie Girl’s Guide To Life” (a PERFECT gift!). Miss Kate sent me some beautiful green notes cards, and Miss Elizabeth also sent me a birthday card with some stickers. My Grandpa gave me a $35 gift card to Best Buy. My Grt Uncle & Aunt gave me a book, some great smelling lotion, and some perfume. Miss Emily Rose made me a fantastic card along with the promise to make me a bag just like hers. Breezy drew me the cutest picture on my card. She also gave me an watercolour book and a water colour pocket book with brush. Amanda also said she has something for me, but hasn’t gotten it yet.

May God continue to guard and guide me in this chapter of my life, opening and closing doors when necessary. I pray that I will continue to heed to His word and to follow Him without hesitation, no matter the costs or sacrifices.

Thank you to my my parents and siblings for the love you all continue to shower on me. Thank you Mother Dear for all you’ve done for me and for always being there with a shoulder for me to cry on. Thank you all for your blessings on my life and your comments about me. It was most encouraging and heart-warming. Also thank you for all the birthday calls and songs. Made me smile.

Some of you may have seen the little image beside Amanda’s, Mother Dear’s, Rachel’s,  Mrs Dawn’s, and my comments. If you haven’t, just look at the first comment on this post.

Mrs. Dawn was so kind as to installed this wordpress plugin on my blog, which enables you to upload YOUR own image so every time you comment, you’ll have a gravatar.

It’s really simple to upload the gravatar, just go here: Gravatars. Sign up by adding your email and then after activating your account choose an image for your gravatar. Once you’ve chosen an image to use and gone through the uploading steps, make sure to click on it [image], comfirm, and then push “check this gravatar”.

Your gravatar is linked to your email address so if you share the same email address as another family member your gravatar will all be the same. Your gravatar will show up on any wordpress blog you commented on if they have this plugin.

I was really excited. Sometimes it’s hard to tell who’s who on my blog because a few have the same name. Having your own image will help me identify you easily (haha, not that I don’t know already).

I do want to thank Dawn @ My Home Sweet Home for helping me out here. You’ve become a sweet, close friend, who I cherish!

If you need any help, feel free to ask! I am seriously hoping to see all your gravatars soon! Mrs. Dawn wrote about the WordPress gravatars. If you feel so inclined to read it.

Today was perfect. I feel like little Emily off of the Ultimate Gift when Jason asks her what’s her perfect day… of course there were a few problems like sleeping in too late and rushing around until the guests arrived! Ah well….

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” - Winston Churchill

I’ll fill you in with birthday party photos later, but I’d like to show you a few of the birthday presents I opened on my birthday DAY.

 

Actually, on Thursday my Grandma Starr and Aunt Jen drove up all the way from New Mexico. It was suppose to be a surprise, but Amanda and I accidentally found out. It was so nice to see them again! Not only did they come up, but whenever Grandma comes she does our hair. I hadn’t had a perm for over a year so for my birthday she permed it. I was really excited!

 

 

After I got my hair permed, it was about 12:15 am so technically, my birthday. Auntie Christina and Kaitlyn called and sang happy birthday, which was so sweet! Than Julia called and sang happy birthday. Here is the BIP afghan that Auntie Christina made me for my birthday. She did the yarn colours in sage, navy blue, burnt orange, and a cream white.

 

 

 

 

 

There is a little white heart in the corner, which Auntie uses a her signature. That’s what I’m looking at! I had no idea she made this for me so it was a nice surprise!

This is on the morning of my birthday. This is my Grandma, Luli, and me. Grandma is playing with Lu, who wasn’t too sure about it.

 

 

This is the tag Eyebright and BlueJane made and sent with their gift. I thought it was pretty neat. Their gift was a hand-crochet shawl, which was a perfect gift! To wear over my Pride &Prejudice gowns!

 

Thanks so much for all the blog-parties and sweet comments! I really enjoyed looking at them. You guys continually support and encourage me!

Today ended just perfectly… Amanda, Aunt Jen, Dad, and me went to see Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, and then I came home and read Sprittibee’s birthday post, “Sweet and 17″. Almost made me cry.

Have a Happy Mother’s Day with your mother! Love you lots Mother Dear and treasure your love and friendship always!

My dearest sister, Jocelyn, HAPPY 17TH BIRTHDAY, DEARY! I hope you have the most terrific day ever. I hope your *real* birthday party is over and beyond what you expect! You are THE best and most wonderful in my life. Every time I am starting down a road I shouldn’t be going, you are there to point me back to the right road. You are my guardian angel and I THANK GOD for you everyday.
I know that you really didn’t want a blog party and I know you probably know about this, but here is my party for my AWESOMELY amazing, Wonderful English-speaking 17yo sister!

On this May 9 in the year 2008, I hope you have the SUPER-est, Awesome-est, Lovely-est, and Spectacular-est party EVER!

Your party is in an elegant English hall especially open for your party, so have a seat at the head of the table, the honored guest’s place, here:

There are so many parties to visit, so I won’t keep you here long.
Here is your cake. I hope you enjoy it. It looks a whole lot better than the cake that I am going to make for you. I thought this cake was purdy awesome!

There is so much I wanted to get you for your birthday: stationary, clothing, Medieval dresses, friends coming out to visit. Anything you need or want, I wish I could get you. I hope that what I do get you love. There is so many surprises for your birthday that I can’t wait for you to see!

I love you, Jocelyn, and I hope you never forget this birthday! Now you thought a lot of people weren’t coming to your party, didn’t you? Well look at all the below parties that are being hosted for you!

Love,

Amanda

The Daily Planet