i'm now an old lady

This is far from an insightful post. I'm still kind of overwhelmed by how awesome my birthday party was. Just lots of fun with great friends and family!

I turned 30 at the end of January.

I knew it was coming, I'd been anticipating this birthday for several years. So excited to have a big, exciting, over-the-top extravaganza of a party.

I thought for a while that I'd take a big trip with girlfriends, a getaway to celebrate my newfound wisdom and wrinkles. Well, time and budget didn't allow for that so I decided to throw myself a big bash here at home.

Well, that didn't happen either. I had just started thinking about what I wanted to do when the hubby and a handful of my bestest friends kicked me out of the inner party-planning circle and told me I'd have to just wait and follow orders on when to show up.

That isn't easy for a control freakish, plan-happy old lady like myself. I did it, though, and I'm proud to say that I did not hack into the hubby's email or FB account (which would have been very easy) to try to find out details and I tried my hardest not to ask too many questions.

So proud of myself for not ruining the surprise because what a great surprise it was! A perfect party with so many of my favorite people and I suspected nothing until I rolled up to the front door.

The first surprise of the day was beautiful friends Molly and Anna. The girls blew me away by showing up at my house on my birthday (with the help of the hubby and my mom). Each of them drove more than 3 hours to get here and I can't even put into words how much it meant to me that they did that. Wow. I was speechless then and still am.

Molly, Anna and I shopped and hung out till they took me out to dinner. They didn't tell me where, just drove me to a place that has great eats and great dancing and when we walked inside I saw table after table of my friends and family ready to party the night away with me.

What a great way to spend a birthday. I cuddled with my kids in the morning then spent the evening with tons of loved ones just having fun.

Nothing fancy, nothing formal, nothing that required any thought or worry on my part. Perfection.

So many old and new friends were there, my little bro and sis-in-law, my big bro and of course the hubby. I love you all so much and can't believe how much work went into making this such an awesome event for me!

That you all for the best 30th Birthday Bash that I've ever had!!

My Mommy and Me on my 30th Bday.

Most of the chicas at the party. 5 or 6 had already left. :(

The following are a bunch of party pics! Woohoo!

Most are from Lindsay's camera...I kind of failed at photo-taking that evening.

The cake was made by Lisa...it's her newest hobby. It was an orange (my fave color) and white zebra 3-0! Pretty dang awesome! I didn't actually eat any of it, but I heard it was AMAZING!