Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Thirty, Shmirty

I think that nowadays, thirty is the new twenty.
At least that is what I tell myself every time I remember I am now officially an adult.
And although I don't feel or look (in my very honest opinion) any older than I did in high school, I must accept that in reality I have aged a bit.
But, on the up side, I have reached a few adult-like milestones along the way.
I have a college degree.
I have been married for nearly nine years.
I have three incredible kids.
I live in a dump of an apartment ... wait ...
Anyway, I am quite excited.
I am on the cusp of a new phase in my life, a better phase.
Ha.
Okay, that was a bunch of baloney.
People only say things like that when they are trying to convince themselves that they aren't that old (pointing both thumbs toward chest).
That, and I really just wanted to use the word "cusp" 'cause it almost sounds a little dirty.
Moving on.
The day before the big 3-0, my dad and Heather surprised me by coming up to Forest Grove with prezzies and an ice cream cake (of course I didn't mean they actually traveled all the way from Eugene with an ice cream cake, that would be a disaster).
And anyone who knows me well, knows my disdain for traditional birthday cake and my undying devotion to all icy treats.
It was delish!
Then my amazing sister concocted another brilliant plan to celebrate my big birthday.
She always does something awesome for me.
But she outdid herself this year.
She arranged (with the help of my hubby and yes, my dad and Heather) for a girls weekend, with ... wait for it .... NO KIDS!
Pure bliss.
I mean I love my kids, but I also love to be away from them once in a while.
And it had been a while.
Anyway, I desperately raced down to Eugene, as fast as I could without getting pulled over.
The first night, we stayed up way too late, eating way too much candy and talked.
Then we headed out the next morning to drop of Micah at my parents (thank you, Dad and Heather) before hitting the mall for a movie and manicures.
We saw the ultimate chick-flick: "This Means War" was hilarious (especially if you had asked the very alone, middle-aged man to my right, who was positively screaming with laughter at every funny anecdote).
Chelsea Handler is the funniest woman on the planet.
All I'm gonna to say.
And this is a re-enactment of my manicure.
Except picture my nails blue.
And more professional-looking.
And yes, the ring finger is a different color on purpose.
I saw this style on a blog and wanted to try it out.
Because I am fashion-forward and hip even in my thirties.
Except that truly hip people probably don't use the word hip.
I am turning into my mother.

Later that evening, after cruising the mall, we met up with the rest of Britney's fam, my dad and Heather, and my bro Brady and his family for dinner.
I had the best bacon cheeseburger and sweet potato fries. EVER.
Then we headed back to my dad's for, you guessed it, ice cream sundaes.

We even managed to squeeze in a little craft before I had to head back.
We etched these little glasses (that Ezra found at the Goodwill) with my kids initials.
Cool, right?
And back at home, Scotty met me with two very happy kids (who later informed me that Daddy let them eat pizza, in the living room, all weekend) and the last two Harry Potter movies!
I was truly spoiled.
I love my family.
And I am going to love my thirties.
I am.