The Big 30

The day came.  The day went.  I am officially a 30 year old woman.

 

But here's the thing I didn't expect.  I went through the entire day and didn't feel like crying once.  I was surprised with all sorts of love from my wonderful friends and family, and I realized that I feel healthier and happier than I ever did in my 20's.  In fact, the majority of my 20's were spent either sick or pregnant, or both...so good riddance!

 

The Friday before the big day, we had a little gathering with my ladies at my friend Melissa's house.  Yummy food, silly conversation, games, and lots and lots of candy. 

 

On Saturday, we went for a hike at Helen Hunt Falls and then for some shopping and lunch in Old Colorado City.  The weather was just warm enough to eat outside and wander along the different shops.  That evening, we went with my family to see "The Great Gatsby."

 

I woke up on my birthday to a very excited little girl.  She couldn't wait to show me the card she had made me the night before.  I enjoyed my day by going out to lunch with Autum and Julie, and came home to a house that Emma and Ben went to the trouble to "decorate."  They put streamers on anything standing still.  So cute! 

Trenton spoiled me with all sorts of goodies.  He was so thoughtful and remembered things I had mentioned I wanted from forever ago.  We even enjoyed a gluten-free cake.  Turning 30 was so much fun!

 



Mother's Day

Mother's Day this year was bittersweet for me.  It was sweet because the weather was perfect, I have three precious little people that call me Mom, and I was able to celebrate the day with my favorite women.  It was bitter because Mother's Day marked my last day in my 20's.  I was feeling all sorts of sorry for myself until I remembered a picture I had found last summer when I was helping my parents clean their garage out.  It was from an assignment I had in elementary school, and this particular picture was to depict what I wanted to be when I was 30.  I know it's hard to see, but apparently when I was 8, my view of 30 was exactly what I have become...even down to the ages and genders of my children.  Finding that picture put me and my pity party to shame.  I have my health, I have my kids, I have my husband, I have my animals.  Even if nothing else that is remotely noteworthy happens to me, I've been blessed with a full life and I should only be so lucky to enter an entirely fresh decade.

Our Animals

I realize that I seem like one of those crazy ladies on the show "Animal Hoarders."  Maybe I am with our 2 dogs, 2 cats, and 7 chickens.  But there are few things in this life that bring me as much joy as kitty and puppy snuggles. Since I have spent a good deal of the past couple years sick in bed, these fur babies have become some of my best friends.  They require so little from me, yet they provide so much for me.  I love them.

May Day

We started out the month of May with a lot of snow and rain.  One of my favorite memories growing up was baking pinwheel cookies with my mom each May Day, packing them up in cute baskets, and leaving them on our friends' and neighbors' stoops.  But May 1st arrived with a chilly vengeance, and I had to work the entire day, so Emma and I curled up on the couch that evening and dipped some Oreos in milk instead.  Maybe next May we'll find the time to recreate childhood memories.  Or maybe Oreos will be our new May Day tradition.  Anyway, the beginning of May also brought a fun surprise.  My friend Tatum and her family joined us at Fargo's for a little reunion.  We were the best of friends throughout high school, but hadn't seen each other since Emma was a newborn.  She has three sweet little boys now and lives up in Castle Rock.

 

Later that week, the family came over and we celebrated Cinco De Mayo at our house with a glorious spread.  My parents brought the most delicious sopapillas and topped them with honey, whipped cream, and cherries.  We finished the evening off with a few games of Mexican Train. 



 

 

14 Months

Lyla is growing like a little wildflower.  She's so fun, and snuggly, and active, and wild!  This month she finally got her first tooth and started walking.  She had been trying to take steps here and there since she was 11 months, but finally decided to just do it when she saw Ben kicking a soccer ball around.  She wanted to kick the ball too, and couldn't manage to do that while crawling.  She literally just stood up and started taking wobbly steps.  Now she runs!  She also loves our animals, and joins me when it's time to gather the eggs from the chicken coop each morning.  I think she relates with animals so well because she is the messiest little person I've ever met.  Luckily her sweetness outweighs her messiness.