Happy 30!

I am so ready to be 30! I woke up yesterday morning and felt quite satisfied with the thought that I was now 30 years old. I figured the day would be low key. West would be bringing his kids up after I got off work and we were making fajitas and heading to Nielson’s for frozen custard afterwards. They’d been advertising a cherry cordial flavor that I really wanted to try. The circus woke up and excitedly told me they had presents for me and to “hurry up and get dressed, put your shoes on, and brush your hair, Mom, so we can open your presents.” That’s usually the spill they get every morning, minus the presents of course. Usually for a birthday I get all the wrapped presents and cards on the table for the birthday girl to find when she wakes up. And then “hurry up and get dressed, put your shoes on, and brush your hair so we can open your presents.” Steph Jr. had out done herself. The table was covered with coordinatingly (is that a real word? I don’t care, I’m using it any way) wrapped presents. The girls were bursting with pride. They’d snuck out to Target with Jr. the night before and picked them out for me.
Cas and Brynn and Jr. gave me head phones, and armband holder, and speakers for the iPod I got for Christmas (YES!) and Tayler and Cali … well, their’s were funny. Picked out by themselves, Cali got me matching panties and tank tops, and Tayler got me a baby blue robe that “is just like MINE, Mom!” It was hilarious, I was laughing so hard. Jr. told me that Cali was adamant that was the gift she wanted and wasn’t changing her mind. Of course Cali and Tayler made sure I wore their gifts to bed last night. “No pants, Mom!” “Ok, Cali .” (Where does she come up with this stuff?!)
At work Tina showed up with balloons and threw confetti at me, and we had root beer floats and pie. About midmorning the flowers arrived, about bringing me to tears. I was admiring the general overall look of the flowers when Jr. pointed at the sticks and asked, “What are these?” My focus turned to where she was pointing and when I saw the “mine” painted there I burst out laughing. “Mine” sticks have been an inside joke with West and me since we first started dating. His friends have a tendency to hit on me, all in good natured fun, and always in front of West, and it became a joke that West needs a stick to hit them away while yelling “mine!” We always mention in teasing that we need to get him a “mine” stick. There they were, sticking out of my flowers. An envelope was also tucked in with the flowers with “Do Not Open” and a set of directions for me to go somewhere at 2:00 written on the outside. West amazes me! Already this has been the best birthday that I’ve had in at least ten years. Maybe longer. Apparently West had called earlier in the week and gotten permission from my boss for me to leave early. Everyone knew about it but me. At two I headed out and followed the mysterious directions and found myself at Ashley’s house, his ex sister-in-law (weird dynamics here. West is still close to his ex in-laws, excluding his ex of course. And they all claim to be closer to him than their sister. I decided right away that if it didn’t bother them, and it didn’t bother West, who was I to be bothered by it?). Ashley does hair out of a salon in her home, and inside my envelope was a check to her to do my hair. He told her I wasn’t allowed to pick my colors, it was up to her and to have fun with it. I told her I just wanted to get rid of the blond because I’m tired of frying it when I do my hair. After that I headed home where West (and a handful of well wishing neighbors bearing goodies) showed up, and we had our fajitas and custard. WHAT AN AMAZING BOYFRIEND. Can I just say here, that I can really appreciate that West does these things. It also stands out to me that he’s only recently started doing them, but I see it as he’s worked his way into doing them as he feels them, and isn’t throwing them at me in the beginning to impress me. Top it off with the blog post I found on Jr’s blog about me (lots of tears on that one) and I can say that this birthday will stand out in my mind for the rest of my life. I’m ready to be 30. I’m excited to be 30! And I have my girls, my amazing guy, and supportive and wonderful friends and family surrounding me. I’m truly blessed!