Weekend Review: THIRTY

Today I am THIRTY.

January marks a ton of birthdays in my family: three of my cousins, my aunt, my mom, my brother, myself, and most importantly, Conner and Benjamin.

My babies were born just four days after my 29th birthday, so I didn't reallly expect to celebrate my 30th this year. My 29th birthday was the last day I spent pregnant without being in labor. Tim is on shift at the FD today (although is he paying for me to have a spa day!).  My birthday is two weeks after Christmas and everyone (myself included) is sick of parties. Plus, I am too busy planning and anxiously awaiting the one year anniversary of when we met our twins and said goodbye...much too preoccupied to give my birthday much thought.

But my husband, being the best husband ever, had different plans. On Sunday, we spent the day baby shopping and picking out a new couch (you know, for Miranda). Then we had a scheduled dinner meeting with an investor that we do a lot of remodeling work for.

So, I was completely shocked to walk into the restaurant to 40 of my closest friends and family screaming "SURPRISE!" (Side note: so was baby C, who instantly woke up from what is normally nap time).

Seriously. Maybe I should have seen it coming, but I didnt. My husband isn't a planner. And the night before, he didn't get a second of sleep into between FD calls so he was exhausted. When we walked in, I saw a few firefighters first so I figured it was something for Tim. Then I saw my parents and freaked out thinking it was a baby shower (which I am just not emotionally equipped for). Then I saw "30" balloons and remembered that my birthday was coming up in two days. Oh yeah, that. I totally forgot!

I was still confused, so of course people laughed at me and recorded my facial expressions as I turned to my husband in complete awe. My friends are good for that.

I won't bore you with details, but I'll give you a few highlights:

I loved having everyone I love in one room. That made my day. It took me three hours to make my way around and catch up with everyone. My friends and family are the best. People called off work and switched shifts to be there for me. They dropped plans to help Tim put everything together and track other people down.

I had three birthday cakes. THREE! Including the smallest, cutest ice cream cake just for me. Not gonna lie, I contemplated making it a smash cake.

A couple years ago, Tim won me a giant stuffed dog at Six Flags. We named her Moonpie. A few weeks ago I decided it was time to say goodbye to Moonpie, so we shoved it into a friends truck without him knowing. Guess who got Moonpie back on Sunday. Everyone "awed" over me getting this giant dog, but no one knew that it was mine in the first place and we are looking for adoptive parents. Current plans are to sneak around firefighters houses dropping her off.

Tim had his first helium balloon experience and chose to sing "Jesus Take the Wheel."

Didn't know it was possible to love my husband more, but I do. He made my entire year.

My SIL customized this locket for me - three stones for my three babies, and the prematurity/infant loss ribbon.  You know I love it. 

By far the best gift I got for my birthday (again, from my amazing SIL) - two gloves with two little mittens sewn into them.  The card read, "Mama, you know we are always with you.  But if you want to feel us, here is something to warm your heart and hands!  Love, your baby boys." Thirty marks one year closer to seeing my baby boys again and holding their hands in heaven. The emotion that overcomes me when I put these on and hold onto these tiny firefighter mittens is unexplainable. I swear I can feel myself holding Conner and Benjamin's hands. 

I totally and completely embrace 30.  I had a lot of fun in my 20's - I went to college, had a ton of fun and somehow managed to double major with a minor in between bar hopping, taught high school psychology and history, met my husband, married my husband, opened a small business, traveled a lot, became a mother.  But I think my 30's will be even better. I get to start my 30's and end it with my husband by my side. I'll spend this enter decade (and more) loving on my boys. And I will hopefully be bringing baby girl home.

"Do not regret growing older.  It is a priviledge denied to many."  - Unknown