Happy 30th Birthday To Me!

The picture doesn't do it justice - it was awesome!

Decorations on the garage

Angie's poster

Melissa's poster

Funny, real funny

More decorations

Blowing out the candles

Laughing at the card my mom bought

I've been thinking about this day for WAY too long.  Something about turning 30 made this birthday more like a countdown than a celebration.  Like I was leaving my youth behind as I entered into my 30's or something.  Not that I thought it was going to be all doom and gloom, but I was a little apprehensive about the whole turning 30 thing.  I have to say, I was dead wrong about the whole thing.  For one, I don't feel any older today than I did yesterday.  Also, it was just a very cool birthday weekend (I guess that's the one advantage to having your birthday fall on a Sunday - you get to spread out the celebrations a little bit more).  

Friday, my visiting teacher/friend, Courtney, had three of us over to her  house for a luncheon.  We all have birthdays within the same week so it worked out nicely.  One girl turned 29, I was turning 30 and the other girl was 31.  Kind of cool.  Anyway, she made a delicious chicken pasta salad and homemade breadsticks.  It was so good!  We also had mint oreo pie for dessert, which was just as tasty as the rest of it.  It was fun to be able to let the kids play and just visit and be treated to a yummy lunch for our birthdays.  Thanks, Courtney! 

Saturday I got home from the gym and Marcos had brought in the mail.  I had like 4 or 5 birthday cards from friends and family all expressing how much they love me and how they celebrate my birth.  It was so sweet and that I couldn't help but get choked up a little bit.  Right then and there my big birthday moment changed.  Instead of counting down the last moments I had to be a 20-something, I started counting my blessings.  I don't know why it hit me so hard, but it did.  I am so lucky to have been born.  I was born in a country where I'm free and have choices, where I can be who and what I want to be.  I was born into the church, where I was taught that I am a child of God, who loves me.  I was born into a family who loves me, teaches me, and has always been there for me.  As I have grown, I have been blessed with opportunities for learning and education, for experiencing the world, for meeting others and learning to appreciate their uniqueness.  I was blessed with friends both old and new who take care of me, who listen to me and are there for me when I need them; friends who let me whine more often than I should and who understand the need for girl time.  I have a husband who loves me, helps me, appreciates me, and walks hand in hand with me through this often confusing journey we call life.  I have two beautiful boys who teach me patience and love and joy and sorrow.  I am healthy.  My often complained about body can climb mountains and still run miles afterward; can plant and harvest a garden; can usually keep up with two busy boys; and can even shake it a little in Body Jam :)  It is amazing to me just how blessed I feel today.  Thirty years ago I entered this world to be tried and tested and to learn and grow.  It is truly an awesome thing.

After my little awakening, I went back to real life.  Dylan had a birthday party (a pajama party) to go to at 4:00 so Marcos was going to take me out to celebrate after we picked up Dylan.  Marcos' mom was going to tend, but my mom called and offered to come watch the kids at our house so they could get to bed a little earlier and then we could just go out here in town and not have to go to Salt Lake.  She came over at 6:30 and was here when I came back from picking up Dylan.  I have to mention that I had a very clutz-like moment.  Maybe it's my age after all.  On my way back from the birthday party, I totally twisted my ankle and fell down pretty hard right on my knee.  It's one of those moments where you pray that not too many people were watching.  Today my knee is swollen and purple so for sure it was a good fall.  Dylan thought we would have to call the doctor since I was not exactly brave about the whole ordeal.  Anyway, my mom stayed with the kids and we went to buy movie tickets and head out for dinner.  We had a few movies on the list that we would like to see, but we were trying to make everything work out so we wouldn't be too late getting back home.  We ended up purchasing tickets for the 8:20 showing of Mama Mia.  Then we headed over to Boston's for some tasty pizza.  We rarely eat out so we had to get some recommendations even here locally for restaurants, but it was a really good choice.  Marcos was so cute about doing whatever I wanted to do, but I could tell he was really excited about trying the mozzarella sticks so we even ordered an appetizer (something we never do).  Anyway, everything was delicious and the timing was great.  We were there with plenty of time to get good seats, but weren't waiting forever.  I really liked the movie and I think Marcos did too.  I kept looking over to try to read his expressions, but I couldn't tell for sure.  I think it may have been a little too "musical" for him, but he was a good sport about it.  We drove home to relieve my mom and were completely surprised to see the lawn and yard all decorated with posters, balloons and banners for my birthday.  My mom and sisters had a little conspiracy going the whole time.  So it wasn't just an offer to babysit.  That way they knew when we would be coming home.  I have to admit, I couldn't stop smiling.  We really haven't done much for our birthdays since we've been married.  There's always something else going on in the summer and it just doesn't seem like that big of a deal, but being surprised with something so big was so much fun.  I was smiling from ear to ear all night long.  I watched several neighbors pull into the cul-de-sac and slow down to read the posters.  So now everyone knows how old I am, but I guess that's okay - it's just a number, right?  Thanks girls and mom!  You're the best!  

This morning was a regular Sunday.  I got a couple of phone calls before church wishing my a happy birthday, which was nice.  Then we got ready for church and did our best to survive.  Dylan had a hard day so it seemed very Sunday-like to me.  Preston went to nursery for the first time though and did awesome.  Marcos made sure everyone knew it was my birthday so I got quite a few birthday wishes from members of the ward.  After church, we took Dylan on a drive to give him a nap and put Preston down in his crib.  Last night, Dylan woke up with welts all over  his body, which we figured was probably some sort of allergic reaction.  The problem now is we have no idea what the reaction came from.  He just didn't sleep well and overall has just had a rough week.  Anyway, the naps definitely helped us prepare the kids for a fun birthday dinner.  They would've been way too grumpy without them.  Then we headed up to my mom's house for a BBQ at 3:00 p.m.  We had hamburgers and fruit and veggies.  It was delicious!  They had all sorts of decorations for the party, which made it extra fun.  We had a key lime pie and everyone sang to me.  Before I could blow out the candles, the kids had the job done for me so we lit them again to see if I could really get 30 blown out by myself.  I did it, but barely.  Good thing we have lots of help at our house.  It was a fun afternoon hanging out with family and enjoying the day.  Mom and Barney gave me some cute silver earrings and of course some money to spend.  Wa-hoo!  I also got a check from my dad and Suzanne, my Grandma Betty and Grandma and Grandpa St. George.  Thanks everyone for helping make this such a memorable birthday!  I love you all!