The big 3 0 !!!!!! Yes i'm in a new decade!

Well first off I have to say that turning 30 wasn't as dramatic as it is for some people. I think i'll be more likely to be freaking when I hit 40.... who knows. However I do need to share what made this birthday so incredibly special.

For the past few weeks, my husband has been acting strangely. He said he was thinking of ideas for a gift for me, so he told me i couldn't look at certain drawers in our house, etc.... he then asked me if I would like to go out to eat with another couple for my birthday and I said sure. Well the plan was set, that we would go to Applebees with some friends of ours John and Lena on my birthday around 2:30 or so. I was very excited.... I LOVE applebees!!! Well the day of, my poor husband was having stomach problems (or so i thought). We were on our way out of owensville when he said he needed to use the restroom.... so he stopped at the church. John and Lena were behind us and they pulled in behind us at the church. This might be TMI, but just know it was fake..... John then comes out to tell me that "mike isn't doing so great.... he needs you to come in for a second"..... well I went in, and through the tiny window of the door I see tons of people standing there..... a smile went from one side of my face to the other and i'm sure i was beaming.







When I walked through the doors I saw my husband standing there smiling at me. My exact words were "what did you do!!" and then after everyone screamed "Happy Birthday" I said "you are ALL in TROUBLE!!" then we all laughed.... and as I gazed around I realized how much work mike had put into this party. He had been planning it for weeks, late nights staying up.... calling people... inviting people from my past as well as the present.






One of the best gifts was seeing an old music minister, his wife and kids at my party. They drove about 2 hours (maybe longer??) and they could only stay for 45 minutes, because they had to get back to church, but they came!! It brought tears to my eyes thinking of what an amazing influence he and his wife had in my life at a very crucial time. Thank you Mike and Jennifer Wright!!! Growing up without a father I have been soooo incredibly blessed by Godly men that God has put into my life to fufill that for me. Mike was one of many wonderful Godly men that made a difference and impact on my life! Thank you Mike (my husband) for seeing how important these people were to me and inviting them to my party! And to all of the people in my past that have had a wonderful impact on my life but that couldn't make it to the party... I love you all too!!! Hopefully someday I will get to see you all again too!!!



Mike then did a "this is your life" slide show with pictures of me throughout my life. He had pics of me as a child, as a teenager, playing softball, in band.. it was really neat.



He then had two men sing 2 of my favorite hymns that my daddy use to sing to me, and since my dad passed away when I was 9 this was so special to me. He also had a slideshow going during one of the songs of me and my daddy... so sweet!! It brought tears to my eyes.... Thank you Rip and Duane for singing In the Garden and How Great Thou Art, you both did wonderful!



Then mike had 3 of my friends come up.. Chrissy, Debbie and Lena and he had them read parts of Proverbs 31 and how I fufilled that for him in our life.... that was also really sweet and emotional.



One last surprise I had, was that Mike knew I was looking forward to my favorite applebees meal of Shrimp Fettucine Alfredo.... so he had my mom bring it with her, so I still got my applebees!!! :-) :-)Thanks mom!!!

The next night I got to open presents from my boys and it was so sweet! Thank you to my family and friends... you all made this birthday incredibly special and I am very grateful and thankful for you all!!!