Thirty Years

Evidently I’m negligent in my posting seeing as I am now 19 days past my thirtieth birthday and have yet to divulge any summary of how I marked the special occasion.

I will change that now.

Thirty is one of those birthdays that bears a distinct stigma, though I’ve yet to conquer the how and why of it all. I, for one, am all for celebrating any number and so when my family proffered the idea of a party to mark the occasion I didn’t balk for a second. Bring on the merriment.

My birth day itself was nothing short of spectacular. Scout had a weight check that morning and her steady progress gave me an added spring in my step for the rest of the day. She and I celebrated with a Target run for Starbucks of course, and a trip to the mall for some baby goodness from Baby Gap. When we came home Cutter greeted me with "Happy Birthday" greetings, more Starbucks, roses – that he personally picked out, 2 donuts (one for him), and a tub of pretzels. He must have said "Happy Birthday" to me at least fifteen different times that day, and every time it melted my heart. Sanguine here, remember?

My husband secured Chinese take-out for dinner, replete with tea and fortune cookies, and dessert was the infamous Renninger family brownie mocha torte that I personally devoured nearly a third of which all on my own.

 

The party that my family put together for me was the next day and I enjoyed the stress free relaxation that accompanies the guest of honor.

My sister and her family came down for the weekend and she and my mom attacked much of the planning. I did know about the party but wasn’t privy to many of the details that make my heart soar. It was a fall bonfire held on our deck and the weather couldn’t have been more complementary to such a celebration. My dad set up the bonfire and provided tractor rides for all of the kids around the house. No fall festival is complete without a scarecrow, and so my aunt stuffed one together and labeled it the “Lauren-crow.”

The menu was phenomenal; homemade chicken noodle soup, chili, baked potatoes (from the bonfire), macaroni and cheese, and pulled pork. I think I ate the soup for nearly a week afterwards it was so delicious.

Though many of my friends and family weren’t able to come, it was so wonderful to celebrate with everyone who was there. I'm certainly not giving the day due justice as I have been so delinquent in my recounting, but as I stood there as everyone sang "Happy Birthday," I realized I felt like a rather giddy thirty year old. Rivers of joy were flowing through me as I realized what a blessing my life has been. My husband, my children, my family, and my friends all let that realization sink into my soul that night.