Our Beaver Tales: 31!

I'm now officially "in my 30's". How crazy is that? Even crazier? I don't mind it one bit. I keep waiting for the year when I have that "oh my goodness, I can't believe I'm so old" moment, but as of now, it hasn't come. And I like that. I've said it many times. We are meant to live. And that means embracing each year. Life is too short to dread a number.

When I turned 30 last year I never could've dreamed what this past year would've brought. We closed on our house in Arkansas on my 30th birthday and so I fully expected to be moving forward with a new life in South Carolina. Little did I know, less than a week later, the decision had been made to move back to Arkansas. We all know what a whirlwind that was, but as I sit back and reflect now, it truly is a reminder of the many twists and turns life can take. It's taken me awhile to get to this place, but I can honestly say, I wouldn't have traded our move back to Arkansas for anything. (Don't get me wrong. I'm ready to move back to Charleston at the drop of a hat! ;) I just love it there!) But I am finally at peace with where we are now. I've seen God work in our lives and as I enter this new year of my life, I'm so ready to be used by Him. And that means wherever I am. Arkansas. South Carolina. Oklahoma. Anywhere, anything. It's all for Him.

So that's my prayer for this coming year. Be willing to go and do whatever He calls us as a family to do. As Jennie Allen says in her book Anything, "God wants to press us through our doubts so we can see the other eternal story going on, of which we are actually a crucial part".

Ok. Now that I've let y'all see a glimpse into what's going on in my heart, let's dive into why I started this post in the first place. My birthday! ;)

When I turned 30 last year B went all out, so I wasn't expecting much this year. We had a lowkey weekend (except for our outing to the driving range - my first time ever!) and then I had a fun girls day getting our pedicures. But, oh that B, he's always keeping me on my toes!

I'll recap the day in pictures. I apologize in advance for the many times you have to see my face. But since I was the birthday girl I guess it's kind of required. ;)

*******

Birthday breakfast prepared by mom. Yum!

Biscuits, gravy, scrambled eggs, bacon and orange juice. Oh my. The perfect way to begin any day!

We did a little shopping.

Bay was obsessed with these shoes. She even had me try them on. That was funny. I'm not a cool, hip mom. At. All. Haha!!

I was STUFFED from breakfast and B had scheduled an early dinner (5:30. We never eat that early! I was so confused why he'd schedule it so early!), but we needed just a little something. So we went to a Mexican restaurant and did what mom and I like to call "dipping it". We had dips for lunch...salsa, bean dip, queso, guacamole. Always a fun lunch.

The dips. And a Mexican Coke. I couldn't resist. I saw it when we walked in and had to have one. It was my birthday, afterall! ;)

Growing up I always liked to go to restaurants that would sing to me for my birthday. Now it's not that big of deal to me, but mom mentioned it to the waiter and I was all for it. It's always rather awkward, but it makes for a good memory.

Mom captured the moment perfectly. The birthday girl and her nervous laughter. Ha!

As soon as the guy picked up the spoon and offered me a bite of the whipped cream, I knew what was coming. It had happened to the girls one time, and I even asked him if he was going to smash the cream in my face. He flat out lied.

After I wiped the whipped cream out of my nose, we tried the flan. Ehh. Not our favorite.

More shopping. Mainly to walk off the food and make room for more. ;)

Dinner time! I couldn't decide where I wanted to eat, so I settled on Outback. Hadn't been there in FOREVER and I was wanting some cheese fries. And a bloomin onion.

My fam

Mom and Dad. Thankful they were able to be here for my special day. I always love hearing their reenactments of my actual birth day.

My boy

Dinner was funny. I didn't order my own meal. We got the cheese fries and bloomin onion, and I ordered a salad and baked potato for my "meal". And then I ate Bay's grilled veggies, nibbled on mom's sweet potato, and took a couple bites of B's pasta. What a hodge podge birthday dinner!

Ok. At this point I thought my day was on the downhill slide. I assumed we'd head back home and I'd have cheesecake waiting on me. (Remember, I get Carnegie Deli Cheesecake from NYC for my birthday cake each year? But It's not always a given. It's more of a surprise if it's going to show up or not. I never assume it's coming.) Well, B took his time heading home. He stopped at Starbucks, took the service road, and back way home instead of the quickest route. I didn't think any thing of it. I just figured he wanted time just the two of us to talk.

Little did I know....

People were hiding in my house!!!!

Lots of special people waiting to surprise me!!

When we walked in I saw my dad standing in the corner of our living room. He had his phone out and said "I gotta take a picture of the birthday girl". And then "SURPRISE!!!!". Everyone popped up. So funny!! There wasn't a sign of them anywhere! They had parked at a nearby school and carpooled to our house and they hid wherever they could. Under the bar, in closets...So funny!

The moment of surprise!

Oh this boy! No one expects a surprise party for their 31st birthday. I had no clue. No. Clue.

We had cake and ice cream and a sweet time together.

Making a wish.

I wanted to eat my name. But I was too full. I ate around the edge and that was all I could do. Haha!

Gotta love having your trainer standing by when you're carrying around a massive piece of cake. I do believe her words were "I hope that makes you sick". Lol!

She's my trainer, yes. But also my friend. And most of our moments are spent like this.

Get this. We counted how many people were at my party. The total number? 31! How cool is that?!

It was a full house!

Caylee had been working on my birthday present for a couple of weeks. She made me a video with different pics of me and friends and family and had it set to The Band Perry's song "Mother Like Mine". Oh man. It made me cry. Such a sweet, thoughtful gift!!

Watching the video. Cay is in the stripes, admiring her work proudly.

I guess something on the video was funny?! ;)

Wowza! Crowded room!

Thanking Cay for my video. I'll treasure it forever. Look at her REAL smile!

Oh. And, yes, I realize my mantle is empty. Don't judge. ;)

College age peeps!! Love them!!

The Russell's!

Originally from Oklahoma, they, too, found themselves in Arkansas. Sweet, OU loving, Sunday lunch friends. I treasure them.

The Wolff's! Oh, this family! They make my heart smile.

The Adair's! So thankful for them. Their friendship and ministry mean the world to us.

Once some of the people began to leave, I sat down and opened gifts.

My college girls gave me the sweetest framed pic. They make me so proud.

And I can't forget Laura. She's in the black shirt and such a servant. Without her this party wouldn't have been possible. She worked behind the scenes and helped B make it happen. I love her.

Everyone slowly left and I walked back in the house very grateful. How blessed I am to have friends who took time out of their evening to love on me. I thought the surprises were over, but B had one more up his sleeve. CHEESECAKE!!!

I'll be honest. When I saw the birthday cake, I wasn't sure cheesecake was going to happen this year. But B didn't disappoint.

I tried to eat a sliver, but couldn't do it, & gave the rest to my dad. I was about to BUST. In fact, I went to bed so sick to my stomach. Too much food in one day! Lol!

We closed the night by taking family "selfies". When you have almost teenage girls, it's about the only way you can get them to take a pic. ;)