Surprise!!

Well, y'all...I turned 30 last Monday.  It was super rainy and dreary all day, thanks to hurricane Irene - what appropriate weather for a day I have not exactly looked forward to!!  In reality, I know it's just a number, and there are soooo many wonderful things going on in my life right now, but it's gonna take me a while to "embrace" being a 30-something *sigh*...

Thankfully, I have A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. friends and family that love me and thought my 30th birthday was worth celebrating in a BIG way...so, they threw a spectacular SURPRISE party for me a few days before the BIG day!!!  

Our 4 Favorites were beyond excited to meet me at the car to bring me in to the party :)

 I was COMPLETELY overwhelmed at the room FULL of people there to celebrate with me!!  It's always good to be reminded of all the wonderful people in your life that love you!

You know the saying "always the bridesmaid, never the bride"?  Well, I'm always the host, never the guest of honor when it comes to parties!  It was fun to switch roles for the night! ;) 

 My mom did all the food, of course, and had some of my very favorites...and, my sweet friends Kim and Gina did all the flowers :)

 And, Bradley...well, his job was to get me to the party - which was not a very easy task...

 Love these gals!!

 And, these sweet girls too!!  The read a sweet poem they had written for me :)

I was accused of knowing about the party, because my clothes matched the color scheme, right down to the invitations!!  HA!

 It was a wonderful night, and we all had a great time!  Thank you so much to everyone that played a part in helping to celebrate!!!!  I will definitely not forget this birthday!

The Last Day...

...of being in my twenties.  


I have struggled with turning 30 since the day I turned 29.  When you're 30, you're REALLY an adult - and, I don't know that I'm all that ready to be a REAL adult.  I've kind of enjoyed being in my twenties, and trying to figure out who and what I want to be when I grow up.

As you know, I have a 30 by 30 list that I started almost a year and a half ago, and well, it's ummmm, not complete...and, that drives me crazy.  I am a goal driven, checking things off the list kind-a girl and when there's things left un-checked on the list, I don't get the satisfying feeling of accomplishment.  *Sigh*

And, to be just really honest, I don't like the idea of growing old.  There I said it.  I don't want wrinkles, and gray hair (which I have ALOT of already that's hidden thanks to my wonderful "hair-apist"!), and to be looked at as being "old".  I've always been the youngest - I was the youngest child in my family, the youngest in my class at school, the youngest at every place I've ever worked, etc.  BOO to getting older!!

BUT, as my daddy has reminded me - getting older is better than the alternative!...

So, I've tried to enjoy my last day as a twenty-something, although I've said "this will be my last time to do ____________ in my twenties!"  Today has been a good day, doing things that I love:

1.  Spending the morning worshipping Jesus with my church family!
2.  Having lunch with some of my all-time favorite people in the world - my former youth pastor and his wife.  Although we stay in touch through phone calls and Facebook, we only get to see each other once every couple of years, and I savor every moment.  They played a TREMENDOUS role in my life as a high school and college student, and they are treasures to me.  What a sweet blessing to spend time with them my last day in my twenties!!!
3.  Having this sweet girl to love on me - no matter how old I am!! ;)

4.  Spending the afternoon with Brad and my parents laughing and talking and eating yummy food!!
5.  Being at my all time favorite place in all the world - the lake!!!
6.  These shoes - I mean really, who can be unhappy when wearing these cute little zebra print numbers??!!

Twenties, you have been some more of a roller-coaster decade for me!  In the past 10 years, I have gotten engaged, married, graduated from college, became an aunt (4 times over!), started my Master's, started my career, changed jobs (5 times...), struggled with the pain of lost pregnancies and infertility, learned a lot about who I am and who God is, learned to love Brad more every day, blessed with friendships and dear sisters in Christ, got our first "baby" - Miss Ellie Jane!, and so much more.  

I'm closing the door of 10 years that have molded me and shaped me into who I am today...

30, here I come - you better watch out!!!!