A Happy Birthday Week

This last week was BIRTHDAY WEEK!

On Friday I turned 26. I had already thought I was 26 so I was very surprised to turn 26 again. ;)

My amazing husband, friends, and family helped to celebrate with small gifts throughout the week. If you don't celebrate birthday week I highly recommend it. Thank you for making a gal feel so special! I am beyond blessed to have you in my life.

Phil, you are incredible. Thank you for making this such a special birthday week. I love you so much.

Thank you, Lord, for another wonderful year!

xo

P.S. - This is the world's best carrot cake. I do realize that is a ridiculous statement because it's my own recipe. But DANG IT'S GOOD!!!

Video: Audrey's Birthday Party

Audrey's First Birthday from Talia van der Wel on Vimeo.

Baby girl turns one on Wednesday! I can't believe it. To celebrate Audrey's birthday, we had a small party over the weekend with some friends and family. My family couldn't join us (obviously, being in Texas) so we Skyped and they were "at" the party. Pretty special, if you ask me.

Audrey didn't like the cake. Hilarity.

I love you, Baby Girl!

Love,
Mama

Happy Birthday Week: Tuesday and Wednesday

If you've never celebrated your birthday week, you are really missing out. I have the best husband and the coolest friends anyone could ever ask for. Seriously I do. Just ask anyone ;)

Tuesday:

My actual birthday day!

My incredible husband went in with some family and bought me a stand for my loom!!! Yes, you heard right. I now have my dream stand for my Ashford rigid heddle loom. It's gorgeous and NZ made. It's just the bare wood and Phil is going to stain it for me. Amazing!!!



It has room for the shuttles and it's at the perfect angle so my back wont hurt. No more sitting on the living room floor when I'm weaving something up! Love love love!!! This was the biggest surprise! I had no idea! Thank you Husband and family. You are simply the BEST!!!
I am blessed to have you.

Jess also stopped by on Tuesday for a surprise visit. She came bearing gifts and brought me some balloons!



She brought me the most gorgeous mini-cupcakes. They are soooo yummy! I love how little and cute they are! I've eaten a couple in one sitting. Don't judge me. It's my birthday week.

Inside the wrapped gifts were two pieces of gorgeous fabric.



Aren't they divine?? I squealed when I saw them. I looove crafty gifts and have already been brainstorming on what I could use the fabric on.


Wednesday:

Wednesday I came home from work to find this little gorgeous package waiting for me.



And I find minty hot chocolate mix inside!!



I had mentioned loving the minty-chocolate combo a few days ago and wanting some minty hot chocolate but not having any. Can you believe this girl? Sweet as pie. She's a real keeper.

I am spoiled and I am loved.

Thank you all for your birthday lovin!

XOXO
Talia Christine

Happy Birthday Week: Monday

Tomorrow is my birthday and today is my birthday week.

In my family, we don't just celebrate your birthday. We celebrate your birthday week. (And throughout the month we acknowledge that it is your Birthday Month) The Garduña's love to celebrate and make things special. Mom would give us little treats, like a candy bar, during the week of our birthday week. It was the best! (P.S. - Thanks Mom for making us feel so special.)

Two weeks ago when I was driving to the daffodil farm with Jess, I mentioned our little family tradition to her and how fun it was growing up. Growing up I didn't realized that everyone didn't celebrate their birthday week. I thought that's what everyone did! Being far away from my family, thinking about our little traditions makes me miss them. Since it's my birthday week, I miss them a lot.

Yesterday at church Jess handed me a card and said that I had to open it that day. Curious about the card I opened it in the car on the way home. It was a birthday card! And it wasn't my birthday yet! Inside was the loveliest message from Jess and Paula saying Happy Birthday Week! And to look in the mailbox this week for surprises.

I really have the loveliest friends anyone could ever ask for. They make me feel so special and blessed and they make me feel at home.

This morning I woke up to a little special present in the mailbox!! What! For me?? Amazing!



A jar of pinto beans!! Believe it or not, you Americans, they are hard to find in NZ. I asked several people and they had never heard of them. This was such a special little present to me! And so creative. I love it!!



Thank you Jess and Paula for making me feel so special and for making me feel right at home.

Love, love, love,
Talia

Happy Birthday, Doodie!!!

Happy 20th Birthday to my beautiful sister, Jaime Lynn!!









Dear Jaime,

You are so brave and beautiful! You are my best friend. I love your laugh! It is the richest, warmest laugh that is so sweet and meaningful to me (I love to make you laugh)! You can sufficiently embarrass me more than anyone else I know! I don't know how you do it.

Thanks for being my "Doodie". Thanks for always being there for me. I wish I could be there for your big day! Let's get pad thai and our nails done soon.

Love,
Tal