TODAY

is my 30th birthday.

Why do I feel like I'm in a support group and saying it for the first time? Hello, my name is Sydney, I am 30 years old! Ugh, is really all I can say because UGH is how I feel.

Years ago there was a song by Deana Carter, "Strawberry Wine", in the song there's a line "I still remember, when 30 was old".....um, yeah, because it IS! 30 is old. I know that because I AM 30!

I can still vividly remember milestone birthdays. There was my 16th birthday when my friends saran wrapped me to a pole at Brookside gas station {big hang out} and hung a big sign around my neck that said "Honk, it's my 16th birthday!", I remember my 20th birthday when I got FRIED at a golf tournament. I had blisters the size of ice cubes all over my shoulders which in turn had to be drained and scrapped off with a metal brush by the doctor. Yup, 2nd and 3rd degree burns all because I didn't wear sunscreen AND on June 29th. Happy Birthday to me. For my 21st birthday I received patriotic dinnerware for my "trousseau" which Jared in turn felt he had to salute every time we ate!

So I've obviously known my 30th birthday was coming and yet, I've been dreading it for, well, years...

Yes, I AM 30. I had a wonderful birthday with my wonderful husband and two incredible boys. First item of business this morning was a few presents. Jared picked out this adorable and perfect apron for me. I have wanted an apron forever and honestly didn't think Jared had heard me but yet, he found one that I LOVE!

{yes, I cropped out my face. I was making a less than pretty face and the focus should be on my new apron, not my trying to be cute but ended up looking a little odd facial expression}

I also got a gift certificate for a massage from my in-laws! {it includes babysitting, how heavenly is that!}

I was able to use the "you take him, it's my birthday" card to Jared at church when Easton was acting up and needed to be taken out in the hall. I also got a nap and we ended the day with homemade icecream and a chocolate brownie cake! Yum, yum.

{delicious homemade ice cream in my fabulous $7 thrift store find}

{yummy chocolate chip brownie torte. Large enough for a very large crowd....ignore the shiny face and nap hair}

As I thought about what I wanted for my birthday I came up with a list forever long. As I looked at my list and really thought about what I wanted, I decided that the only thing I really wanted for my birthday was a family picture. Is that a sign of maturity or what? We had our family pictures taken a few weeks ago and I just got the proofs yesterday. It's exactly what I wanted and they capture my family perfectly. The pictures show me {braces and all} at age 30. I have everything I could possibly want in those pictures. An incredible husband and 2 incredible kids. Yes, I am 30 and somehow, some way, I think I'm going to survive.