The Big 3-0: Part I, At Home

On Saturday March 14th, I turned 30!

Samuel knows I'm a food lover, and rather than give me a dozen red roses, he surprised me with...

A dozen chocolate dipped strawberries!

We were all happy!

Later, per Sam Elmer birthday tradition, I picked my restaurant-of-choice:

Cattleman's!

Unfortunately, Sam forgot to make a reservation, so at 6 PM on a Saturday night we were escorted to the waiting area. It was a 45-minute wait, or so they said, and miraculously the kids did great. I did break out the goldfish, and we had to mediate the kids in taking turns holding the restaurant beeper, but before long we were shown our table.

All I can say is:
Thank goodness for bread and salad that arrives promptly after you sit down!

The kids cheered during my birthday song, ate my birthday sundae, and they all tried on my cowboy hat!

It was a perfect evening out!

Everyone's been asking if I dread turning the big 3-0, and honestly, I don't! I feel like I've been 30 for a couple of years now. I think it stemmed from a visit to the dentist several years ago. I was going in for a root canal, so I knew I was going to be in the chair for awhile. I went in super-comfy, and didn't even bother to put on make-up. To top it all off, it was my birthday, which I mentioned to the dental assistant who exclaimed, "Oh, how old are you? Thirty-?" She trailed off waiting for me to fill in the correct number, but I had to correct her: "Actually, I'm not thirty yet. I'm turning 27." Ouch! She turned about 3 shades of purple before excusing herself awkwardly. Later, I went home and cried.

I'm over that painful episode, which I now think is quite funny, and embrace the body and spirit that comes from living 30 blessed years. I have nothing but gratitude for my life here on earth and the many, many blessings that have rained down from heaven.

It truly is a happy birthday!