T.H.I.R.T.Y.

Thirty.  Say it again, thirty.  I my dear friends am the proud new owner of that lovely word. I turned the big 3-0 on June 29th.  It came, we celebrated, and it went.  No big hoorah, just another day. I'm not like most. To hear thirty didn't send me into a downward spiral. I didn't have thoughts of, 'oh no! not the dirty thirty!' I just took it as it came.

All in all, I'm glad to be thirty. I'm glad that the Lord has blessed me with thirty wonderful years of life. I look forward to what thirty holds, and quite honestly I look even more forward to turning forty!  I know, I'm nuts... right? Nah, I think my thirties will be filled with excitement as I watch my children grow. They'll start new adventures and chapters of their lives and I, Lord's willing, will be a part of each year. Travis and I have discussed a few goals and dreams and I think several of those may become a reality during the wonderful days of being thirty-something.



I'm not scared of you thirty. I welcome you.  Bring on great days, happy days, memorable moments, and even a few bumps in the road if you may.  I'll take whatever you have to offer and prove to the world thirty is just another number.



I spent my birthday dining with great friends and family a few days prior to my birthday. My dear mother then cooked a spectacular dinner for me, and a delicious cake. Travis and the boys made the day bright! As I sat at my mothers table I looked around and thought to myself, "there is nowhere else I'd rather be at this moment then at this table with these wonderful people!" My life is full, blessed, and as far as I'm concerned it's as close to perfect as it can be!!!


I did receive one special gift from the boys.  Travis knows I'm a sentimental gus. I love gifts that I can hold onto forever and know that it has a significance. He bought me an oak tree from the boys. Yes, a tree. I know most people don't think a tree is probably a gift, but it is to me. I love oak trees, always have, always will. Watching that tree grow is like watching my children grow. Carter was so excited, "momma, momma, we've got to plant your tree!!  Where do you want it, pick a place momma!!!"  We found the perfect place outside his bedroom window and my three boys dug the hole and planted the tree. Each time I look at it I smile because I think of the fun they had planting, as you can tell by the pictures.


I'm glad to be thirty. I feel like to be thirty years old, I've done pretty good for myself. I don't have a college education or a high paying job, but the job I have is the greatest ever. I get to be a wife to the most calm, peaceful, understanding, loving man I know. I get to be the momma to two boys that are as opposite as black and white but make me laugh each day. I get to spend every day at home with my babies, and I have a beautiful home to live in, a family that loves me as much as I love them. I don't need the things of this world to bring happiness to my life.  I wouldn't trade my life for anything the world has to offer.  Well, maybe the few grey hairs that are sprouting on the top of my head.... but as my granny has always said, "with age comes wisdom".  Can I change that up to say, "with age comes wisdom and more grey hair?!"

I hope that my prediction of thirty is correct. I pray it's full of happiness, contentment, good health, peace, and more love than the last thirty!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRAV!!!!

The BIG 3-0!!!  I can not believe that my husband is.... THIRTY!  The significance of that means that in just over a year from now, I'll be celebrating that same day.  So it's thirty, not really sure why some people stress that number.  As my little granny would say, "honey, with age comes wisdom!"  I'm looking forward to thirty in a way.  Prayerfully I can meet that day with the confidence that I do have more wisdom.  Why am I talking about me?  This post is about Travis.

Late last week, I asked Carter if he would like to plan a surprise party for Travis.  Of course he was all for it.  I told him he could pick out the cake and he insisted that it would be a Mickey Mouse cake.  You can only imagine the lady's face at Publix when I picked out a Mickey Mouse cake, and told her to put "Happy Birthday Daddy" on it.  Whatever makes Carter smile, is what I was after, and it worked!! :)  

We bought streamers, and ordered pizza and decorated the house with yellow, blue, and red streamers!  It definitely had a three year olds feel to it, but precious nonetheless.  Carter was so excited as we were getting ready.  He couldn't understand why everyone was not at our house yet.  We also made a very bright sign that said, "HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY TRAVIS" to hang up at the end of our road.  It was complete with Mickey pictures, and streamers.  If anyone missed this sign and it's bright vivid colors, we may need to see about having their eyes checked!

Around 4:00, Travis came pulling up in the yard and Carter ran out to meet him with a big birthday hug.  When Travis walked in, he was surprised by our decorations and Carter started telling him all about how we had a secret.  It was so cute.  The rest of the family started to arrive shortly there after, and we had a nice little family birthday party.  

Thanks to my sister, Jessica for all her help!  It was great to have an extra set of hands to get me through the day!  Love ya, sis!!!

Happy Birthday Trav!  I thank God for you each and everyday and could not ask for a better husband or father for my children.  You are a blessing to our lives!  I pray that God continues to bless us and that we spend many, many more birthdays together.  Thank you for always being my best friend, my shoulder to cry on, and the one to bring a smile to my face when I need it most.  I LOVE YOU!

forever & always...

Jen

xoxo