In January, my sister, Lisa, threw her husband, Chris, a SURPRISE birthday party. And he was completely surprised! Success! This was a big birthday, too. 50! However, Chris certainly doesn't act or look his age!
You make 50 look good, Chris!
When Lisa started planning the party, I volunteered to design the invitations and help with decorations. I love party planning!
We wanted to celebrate his 50 years in a fun, upbeat, and classy way. Lisa selected the color theme and plaid napkins in blue and green. Then we added touches of gold and silver. I cut out "50" numbers in gold, attached them to skewer sticks for each centerpiece and wrapped large mason jars with burlap. We filled them with paper filler, added curled ribbon and a Bible verse. I had silver chargers and enough small glass jars to hold flame-less candles, which we filled with rainbow sprinkles. How cute is that?!
Lisa made a photo collage in the shape of "50" on foam core and we used my two burlap message boards to pin the rest. Everyone always enjoys looking at photos from throughout the years.
It was a fun afternoon of celebrating with family and friends.
Chris, you are loved by so many! God has blessed you with a beautiful family and dear friends. You are a testament of God's goodness and faithfulness and we are thankful for you!
It's that time of year again...my birthday and the first day of spring! Although, by the looks of it outside, winter isn't going to leave without a fight.
I thought I'd give you a special TBT photo. For those of you who are challenged by acronyms like I am, TBT stands for "Throw Back Thursday." Not to be confused with "Truth Be Told," like I initially thought it meant.
This is my class picture from 4th or 5th grade (for some reason, I can't quite remember, and if it's not written on the back of the photo, I have to guess). I'm pretty sure it was around 1991, so 9 or 10 years old. I'm wearing my FAVORITE pink and navy polkadot dress at the time - complete with a bow, front and center. Pearls I wore in my sister's wedding. This is pre-braces. My teeth needed some serious orthodontics (thanks Mom & Dad!). And, last but not least, my WORST. haircut. EVER. It's SO short. Slicked back, swooped on top, and all kinds of not-what-I-wanted. This is why I've never come close to cutting my hair that short ever again. But, it was in style at the time I guess, right? I wanted to try it. And now I can look back, remember and laugh.
My husband spoiled me this birthday week - dining out, shopping, a new watch. I am one lucky lady! I'm thankful for the thoughtful cards, sweet gifts and wishes from family and friends. My heart is blessed by all of you. You sure know how to make me feel special! I thank God for every one of you. Thank you for being in my life.
I'm looking forward to whatever God had in store for me this year!
Today, I bid farewell to 30. It's hard to believe this sweet little face was me at 19 months (ironically, I still part my hair that way). Today is also the first day of spring. I'm looking forward to new beginnings and what 31 will bring. Happy Birthday to me!
These are some of my most cherished friends in the whole world! They are beautiful ladies, inside and out, and they got together to surprise me and help ring in my 30th birthday! My husband was the instigator behind this secret plan. Andrew enlisted the help of Christy and Kimi (sitting with me on the bench) to arrange a beautiful and unforgettable ladies luncheon. All for me! I was so surprised, very blessed and enjoyed every minute of it!
It was Saturday, March 17th, 3 days before my birthday (also St. Patrick's Day). I was led to believe I was helping host a bridal shower - not so! Kimi's four season room was gorgeously decorated with a long table dressed with white and blue linens. The sun shone through the windows. We gathered around the table to share a delicious meal, laugh and enjoy each others company (and stories). It was a perfect afternoon!
The girls thought of everything - fine china, linen napkins, beautiful tulips. So pretty and classy!
They even made place cards.
And candle favors with soy wax and re-purposed glass baby food jars. Love these!
The food was amazing. Ina Garten's Curry Chicken Salad, Traditional Chicken Salad, Croissants, Spinach, Strawberry and Pecan Salad, Corn Chowder, Cheese Tortellini, punch, lemonade - all of my favorite things!
And the desserts - Vanilla cupcakes and fruit tarts! Thank you Mrs. White and Susan for helping prepare the food. It was delicious!
And of course coffee and chocolates! Everything was so special.
On top of all that, I received beautiful cards, gifts and gift cards to some of my favorite stores! You ladies know me well. My heart was overwhelmed. I was feeling so loved and so thankful for such wonderful friends, who are truly gifts from God.
Photo courtesy of BA Photography
I couldn't have imagined a better way to celebrate this milestone year. Thank you ladies, for making my birthday so special and for being the beautiful, creative, thoughtful, talented, encouraging and inspiring women that you are. I love you and I'm grateful I get to share life with you. Kimi, thank you for hosting us in your beautiful home. You and Christy, aka "RoMaglio", outdid yourselves and should seriously go into business! You are both so talented and have a gift for throwing outstanding parties!
And a big thank you to my husband for pulling off such a wonderful surprise! You are too good to me, and I know it. I love you with all of my heart and I'm so glad you're mine. You'll be 30 in a few months...
For more details about the ladies luncheon and yummy recipes, visit Christy's blog.
It's official. Today, I am 30! Just a number, as my dear friends have been reminding me. It has been an incredibly wonderful birthday, especially since I was given a surprise celebration on Saturday! (More to come on that later) My co-workers took me to lunch today at my favorite Japanese restaurant. Andrew took me to dinner and has been spoiling me (As always. He was behind the surprise on Saturday). I have received beautiful cards and gifts and birthday messages - I am truly blessed and overwhelmed by the love of my friends and family. You have made this birthday very special for me and I love you!
My Mom and Dad sent me these two birthday photos from years ago. They both make me smile! I would get so excited for my birthday every year (still do!). I can even remember wearing that striped dress. How is it possible that so much time has gone by? God has been so very good to me. I am thankful for these 30 years and look forward to the years ahead!
Photo from ohdeardesign.com
March came in like a lamb today (I hope it doesn't go out like a lion). One of my favorite months, brings the first day of spring, often on the same day as my birthday. That's March 20th, in case you want to mark your calendars. It's a BIG birthday this year. Yikes!
The countdown begins as I get ready to exit my 20's. A lot of amazing things happened in my 20's. I graduated college, got my first full-time job, I met and married my husband, we bought our first house, I've traveled to some wonderful places, and so much more that I'm counting my blessings for. I guess the bar has been set pretty high for the next decade!
I'll be savoring the next 19 days and probably doing a lot of reflecting and looking forward. Anyone have any advice or things I must do before I hit the big 3-0? Besides skydiving. That won't be happening.
My nephew Elijah turned 15 today. I remember the day he was born, sitting in the waiting room with my family, awaiting his arrival and then seeing him for the first time. A little crying baby with lots of dark hair. I can't believe 15 years have gone by.
We celebrated with dinner and cake at our house (I made a "15" with rainbow sprinkles on the cake). My goal was to get at least one photo of the birthday boy smiling. Success! And a bonus GQ photo as well.
My Mom and Dad have been visiting from Arizona and it was so great to have them here for the celebration. My Uncle Bob also came for a visit from Arizona. It was a beautiful evening with good food (Mom's baked ziti), conversation and fun time spent with family.
A little cat's cradle with Emma and sweet Grandma Mary.
Cake, ice cream and of course some presents. And a giant ice cream sandwich pillow from Nana and Poppie. Perfect for Elijah since he maintains a steady diet of the tasty treats.
Happy birthday Elijah! We love you!
(thanks for taking this photo of us)
