Blessed Birthday

I have  been blessed with some very sweet friends. Friend who listen and friends who care. I really can't imagine going through life isolated from other women--women I call friends.

Here is the cake ( I didn't get the picture quite in time) my friend, Lynette made me. She's really very talented. I wish I had her patience and creativity!

I turned 30 at the end of July. For years, I'd been dreaming up great get-aways to go on upon turning 30 (you know, to make it seem like less of a catastrophic event). I planned to definitely NOT be pregnant. I wanted to just have fun so that I wouldn't dwell on how old I was turning. Well, as you all know--I am pregnant--as I was on my 30th birthday.

But leave it to my sweet friends with a little help from my husband to plan an awesome night to celebrate me completing my 30th year.

A couple of my friends and I participate in a babysitting co-op. Every third month I watch their kids. The other months they watch mine. Well, July happened to be Caroline's month to watch the kids. So there was a plan set up--unbeknownst to me at the time--to get me out on a "date" with Matt. But I had to stop off at this new "paint your own artwork" place to pick something up. It was a last minute favor I was going to do for Caroline--who happens to be quite crafty. Plus, the great woman who owns it is Caroline's former boss--so nothing really seemed weird to me.

Well, Matt and I were headed out of the house to go on our "date," but when I walked in to the studio to pick up that thing for Caroline, I was surprised-- and my husband and kids were gone!

I had some very sweet friends surprise me for my birthday. We had some yummy snacks and drinks, fellowship, and instruction on painting. When you go to Uncorked (the name of the place where my party was), you can  see a variety of pretty pictures--all painted by Margie--the owner. You are to pick one out that you would like to create on your own, and she will instruct you how to do it. Well, I had a tough time deciding, but I finally picked one. So each of my friends and I sat down with our blank canvas and created our own version of Margie's picture.

I had so much fun trying something new with my friends. And I felt so blessed that they took the time to celebrate with me. And they all did a good job of keeping a secret!

 Listening intently!

 I'm thinking I can do this!

 My trees without their leaves.

 And the finished product!

 Lynette's creation.

Me saying "Cheeeeese!"

 Tiffiny did a wintery scene. So peaceful!

 Sweet Amy. She's a talented friend of mine who also happens to be quite sweet and giving!

 My SIL, Nancy, who I also call friend. Just wish she didn't live so far away :(

 The lady who is so creative it makes me jealous (but in a good way), Caroline!

 Miss Mandy! She's spunky like me--we have some very serious similarities--our distaste for Toby Keith tops the list!

Oh Winter! She's always smiling--even when she thinks she's not--she just shines!

 And I didn't get a "single" picture of Erin, but she's in this group shot in the back. I got to know her last year, and she's honest, kind and creative.

 Once the party was over, a few of the girls and I hit up a bar. I really did get water, but I wanted to be silly and post my status on FB as "a whole new meaning to 'belly up to the bar.'" So I stole the girls' drinks and took a belly shot with them. I just didn't want to go home yet-- I was out celebrating my new decade, after all. After a one drink, we were all succumbing to our tiredness.

 A few days later, my actual birthday came. And as many of you know, it's also Matt's birthday. But he let me have most of the glory since it was a big one for me. He said he's done having birthdays--but I never want to be done. Life is certainly worth celebrating.

These balloons are from my sister. She lives out of state, so my sweet mama brought them over. She also made a fantastic dinner for us and brought over Matt's favorite pie--lemon meringue--and my favorite--turtle cheesecake. Oh my! Now I'm totally craving those noodles, broccoli with Hollandaise sauce, and potatoes. It's a stick to your ribs kind of meal--perfect for a preggo on her birthday (and her husband)!

The girls also made the day very special just by being them. They are always trying to sneak around and buy us gifts, or make us gifts--none of which goes unappreciated. Just seeing how kind their hearts are is enough of a gift to Matt and me.


I have such a great life thanks to all those who love me--and I hope they know how much I love them all.