Thirty, Flirty, and Thriving

Well, folks... I have officially entered a new decade!  You know, I've actually been a little excited about entering my 30s.  So many wise elders have told me that the 30s is an awesome decade to be in.  I believe it.  A time of family, friends, adult-experiences.  I've been over the college-scene for years now, I have a beautiful child and one on the way, a wonderful hubby of 5+ years... so I feel like the 30s might well suit me!

My birthday week started out with a HUGE surprise.  Stephen and about 30 friends surprised me this past Saturday.  I cannot believe I had NO clue!  I'm usually pretty in-tuned when people are trying to be sneaky.  Stephen was planning a party for me the following weekend that I knew about, but was doing behind-the-scenes scheming for a couple of months now to actually surprise me before then.  No one slipped and I was completely caught off guard!  Thanks, everybody!!!

Sweet banner Stephen got for the par-tay.

Completely caught off guard, after spending the day at the mall.

Some dear former co-workers of mine.

On my actual birthday, I didn't get much sleep the night before.  Poor Sydney has been sick (again!) and has had a fever, cough, sneezing attacks, sore throat, runny nose, etc.  So, she didn't sleep well last night, so I slept in the bed with her.  Even though I only got a few hours of sleep, I was glad to be by her to make her feel better.  Stephen left town the afternoon of my birthday, but my mom was with me and we cooked a yummy meal and hung out.

My students were so sweet to me!  One of my inclusion classes had taken time in the morning before I got there to all make me cards and they all surprised me with them at the end of class, along with a serenade of "Happy Birthday".  I got lots of hugs and silly bands.  My other inclusion class also sang to me. 

Some of the well-wishes from my 4th graders.

So, here's to a new decade.  I'm proud of where I am in life, being 30 and having accomplished what I have.  Life is good!!