I Heart Megan

Being related to Megan is exactly like being related to a high school prom queen...because she is one. She wasn't the cheerleader-narcissistic-stuck-up-with-the-hottest-boyfriend prom queen. She was the funny-and-cute-everybody-thinks-she's-their-best-friend-awesome prom queen.
She's everything one could ever hope to find in a sister-in-law and friend: she's hilarious, spiritual, forgiving, clever, stylish, intelligent, humble and rad.
8 years ago I married Megan's best friend and she quickly forgave me for it. She puts up with my unfounded opinions and overbearance with grace and continues to show me how a real woman carries herself through the stresses of life.
There's a lot to like about Megan. She's quick with a joke and even quicker with making you feel loved and accepted. She has lived her life always trying to be a good person and has a list of accolades to prove it (ask her about 'em). She loves her family more than life itself and has courageously endured the challenges of bearing and caring for three kids within 20 months, including premature twin boys. Through it all she's shown everyone how amazing she is, while proving that her prom queen title was not given in vain (meaning, she's still freakin' hot!)
I love thinking back on the time Joel, Cam, Meg and I videotaped ourselves playing American Idol. Cam played Ryan Seacrest (with a measuring spoon microphone) and Simon (wearing my black t-shirt to play the part). Joel played Randy (pillow under his shirt and voicing a pitiful Southern accent). I played Paula (with too much lipstick and clapping that involved 16 cubic feet of space and ALL of my arms). Megan played the contestant wearing an ugly pink dress and singing the most FOUL rendition of Who's On The Lord's Side, Who? that I've ever heard. She screamed out the words like a scary old lady giving a dramatic interpretation at a fireside. It was dead-on, astounding, and unparallelled. (I was going to upload the video here, but Joel, who has an obviously purer love for his sister, talked me out of it.) Since then, Megan and I have taken to leaving each other voice mail which includes picking a popular song (i.e. You're So Vain) and singing it the way some old lady would sing it. It's really funny and it's the reason I check my voice mail everytime I come home.
So, when I was given the assignment to bring a dessert to her birthday party, you know I had to bring cupcakes. (she loves 'em) I took cues from the idea I found in Hello, Cupcake and produced these beauties. I don't really like desserts that involve more than three steps, but these were for a special occasion. My kids helped me a bit and it was a fun project. They provided enough success that I'd be willing to do something similar in the future.
There's no cake under these flowers, but brownies. If I really loved Megan I would have used this AMAZING recipe, but instead I used a box mix to make these. After they cooled, I secured the oreos with a little frosting, added some frosting leaves, petals and a ladybug.
Happy Birthday, Megan!


Just in case any of you harbor a shred of respect for me, here I am in all my shame (and in my closet) singing an example of the kind of thing I leave on Megan's voice mail. Would you like me to leave one for you? If so, give me an idea of the song you'd like to hear. Also, if you have birthday wishes for Megan, go here.