Spring Part 2: 30th Birthday

My 30th Birthday

I entered a new decade last month, turning thirty on April 24! I had such a wonderful day celebrating this big milestone. Josh had been planning and being secretive for months leading up to my birthday and was like a kid on Christmas morning when the day finally came. The morning of my birthday, Josh and James woke me up to a handful of cards, the birthday song, and big hugs. We had a great morning together, and I enjoyed reading my cards from the family. Jilinda and I went to kickboxing class together, and then we went home to shower and change. Jilinda came over to watch the boys so that Josh and I could go get coffee together, which was a great birthday treat! Josh had told me to get a babysitter for Jack, so around 5:00, the babysitter came over, and Josh, James, and I headed over to Elizabeth and Bryon's to meet the whole family. We ate a delicious meal together and then gathered around the living room for presents. My dad pulled out a binder and read aloud his and mom's 100 memories of me that they had thought of and typed out. It got me all choked up and was hilarious all in one. A few of my favorites (just to make fun of myself):

**"You had an imaginary playmate named "Markjista" who lived in the Town Crier restaurant. You had several others too!"**

**"Biting a hole in the headrest of the Pontiac. We started calling you The Beav."**

**"Wanting to sign you up to play soccer and you asking us "What if I get hot and sweaty?"**

**"Running into a Baywatch star in Malibu and keeping the picture of the two of you on your dashboard, hiding the speedometer. (Dad put an end to that!)"**

After my dad read them aloud, he handed the book to Josh. Josh proceeded to tell me that he and my family had written letters to me and that they were all printed off and put into this book. He had also asked some family and friends from afar to write letters. I cried flipping through the book, and could hardly wait to get home that night and read them all! There could not have been a better gift to me, as I'm such a sentimental person, and hearing from my loved ones was such a gift! It's a book that I'll treasure the rest of my life. Also included in the book was a list of 50 memories Josh had made me of our life together. He said he wants to add to this every 10 years or so. It's so much fun to look back!

After that, Josh told me had had two other gifts for me. He handed me a sheet of paper with a picture of a bed and breakfast in the Hill Country, and he told me we were heading there the next weekend while my parents watched our boys! We hadn't spend a night away together in 3 years, so I was beyond excited! Then, he handed me the last present from him, a new camera! I had been using my parents' old camera, which I loved, but it wasn't quite fast enough to keep up with my active boys. I had really been wanting a newer, faster one, because I love taking pictures of my kids, but didn't feel like I should buy one, since I had a perfectly fine camera. So, with my dad's help, Josh found my new camera that I adore! It captures the kids much faster, takes high def video, and I'm having so much fun with it!

The last present was a clock from my parents. They have given each of their kids the same clock, so I knew this was coming, and couldn't wait to put it up in my house!

After presents, we headed into the media room to watch a video slideshow that my mom had spent many many hours putting together. It was such a joy to watch with my family, and I'm so thankful that I have pretty much my whole life in pictures now one one DVD!

Here's some pictures of pictures where I look so much like Jack...





It was one of the most special days of my life, and I'm so thankful for the family that provided such a wonderful birthday celebration for me.