It's My Birthday, Now Come out and Play!

Woo-hoo!

Today's the day!

I am 33.

So very exciting.

Today is also my 3 month anniversary of starting my blog.

Lots of 3s . . . maybe I should go play Powerball!

I digress.

So, for the big party, you might want to check out this.

And since I'm so proud of my first Photoshop accomplishment (I don't want any of my readers to ever lose faith in the fact that I will always be the mommy learning to blog), I feel the need to shamelessly repost it:

In the continued spirit of learning, I have even figured out how to use Mr. Linky so you can create a post on your own blog and link back to me here.

Now, for my favorite birthday memory (I've actually got 2 - unless DH has something REALLY amazing up his sleeve for this one!):

My 16th birthday. I was on a 6 week cross-country teen tour (45 fifteen and sixteen year olds, four staff members, and our fabulous bus driver Arlene), and although I was having a ball, I missed my family. We were in New Orleans on July 30th. After touring the French Quarter and doing some other sightseeing, some of my closest friends and I chose to celebrate my birthday by dining at the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch. Later that day, when we were back at the hotel, settled in, and then re-assembled in a meeting room, a bell-hop came wheeling in a cart filled with oversized boxes. No one had any clue what they were, but we quickly discovered that the labels had my name on them. Having NO idea what they could possibly be, we opened them, only to discover that my amazing parents refused to let my 16th birthday go by without a major celebration. I wasn't home to have a party, so they sent to party to all 50 of us! The boxes were filled with all of my favorite foods, candies, snacks, and other treats (purchased bulk at BJ's Wholesale Club, of course) with specific instructions for a 16th birthday party I would never forget. Mom and Dad, the tour was one of the best experiences of my life, and the birthday was one of the most special I can remember. I don't know too many other parents who would send a party for 50 on the road via UPS!

Wow, just realized that my 16th birthday was actually 17 years ago!

Anyways, now for a more recent birthday memory - my 30th. The Mad Hatter had been born just shy of 6 months prior, DH and I had just celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary that Spring, and life couldn't get better than where it was. I had everything I could have asked for and would have been happy to celebrate my birthday at home, just the three of us. However, DH outdid himself and made me a beautiful dinner party at one of our favorite restaurants (it was going to be a surprise but DH has difficulty keeping secrets, so the party is to this day referred to as the "UN"surprise birthday party). The drinks were flowing, the food was wonderful, and I could not have asked for better company. Both family and friends alike joined me in celebrating a birthday where for the first time in my life I felt entirely complete. Turning 3o was fabulous - it was not about getting older, it was about having everything I could ever want, and counting my blessings for all of it. And I must add that each birthday since the Mad Hatter has arrived has been equally sweet.

Who knows what this birthday will bring?

Maybe some of the best memories yet!

And now, friends, I am anxious to hear from you!

What is your favorite birthday memory?

Lurkers, now is the time to de-lurk!

There is no better time than a party!

Make sure when you fill out the form below, you include your name and blog title.

And thanks again for helping me celebrate!