Surprises Are So Much Fun!

Saturday was a very special day. It was the 30th birthday of one of my favorite people...Holly! I met Holly in college when we both pledged Alpha Gam together. Through the years, I have been blessed to call her my friend. I love Holly for so many reasons, but some of my favorite things about her:

• She always shoots it straight. If you want an honest answer or opinion, ask Holly. I love that about her! With some people, you know they'll sugar coat things but leave you wondering if they have given you the truth or what they thought you wanted to hear. With Holly, I know that I can always count on her to tell me the truth. That is a true gift and something that I really appreciate.
• She is so much fun. Holly is the life of the party. She loves to have fun and brings out the fun in others. At her party, she was quick to sing karaoke, not shy one bit. Very different from myself. :)
• She is super chic. Holly is always dressed and styled in the latest fashion, yet she knows how to do it in a budget. How cool is that?! She is a mom of three, but you would never catch her in mom jeans. You will always find Holly showing off the latest trends.
• She's a great mom. She loves her three precious kiddos and will do whatever it takes to ensure that they are healthy and taken care of, even if it goes against traditional thinking. For instance, she delivered two of her three children sans medication. She's a tough mama!
• Holly is a fantastic friend. She would do anything for those she loves. She has a big heart and really cares. I am so blessed to call her my friend!

On to the party! So Saturday afternoon, Ellen (another super sweet friend) and I drove up to Franklin, TN (actually, it was outside of Franklin, I think) to attend Holly's surprise party. It was at the home of a friend of hers. We stopped at her sister, Lindsey's, house first (what a treat! We got to meet her precious husband and kiddos. Thanks, Lindsey, for opening your home to us!). From Lindsey's we drove to the party. We hung out there and met many of Holly's fabulous friends. Once she arrived, those of us who were surprise guests (leave it to Holly to figure out her friends were having a party for her), hid in different rooms of the house. We took turns coming out and surprising her. It was a BLAST! I wish I had a picture of her face. TOTAL surprise! LOVED it!
Here are some pics from Saturday night:

Holly blowing out her candles. I wish I had a picture of the cupcakes. They were so pretty in their boxes! Um, yeah. So she had a baby like a week and a half ago. Where is the baby weight?! Seriously...NO FAIR! Opening presents. She got some great stuff!Showing off some new jewelry!Ellen, Holly, and me:The party was a lot of fun. There was great food and great entertainment...karaoke! Ok, on the note of karaoke, they kept trying to get Ellen and me to sing, but the thing is...all these girls really sing well. It wasn't a fair arena for those of us who don't sound like we're country music stars. Seriously, they all sounded like pros, and they kepts us in stitches! I mean, until you've seen a tiny southern mama of three sing Fergie, you don't know what you're missing!

I feel fortunate to have been able to meet so many of Holly's great friends. They were a lot of fun and so welcoming. They made Ellen and me feel totally at home, like we had known them forever. Holly, you are SO blessed!

As we were leaving the party and heading back to Lindsey's, it was snowing. It was so incredibly beautiful! Here is a shot of Ellen and me in the snow. On the way back to Lindsey's (who I never got a picture with. What is up with that?!), it was snowing so hard, it was hard to see. We felt like we were in some kind of theme park ride!

I am so thankful that I was able to make it to Tennessee to celebrate a very special birthday. AND not only did I get to celebrate with the birthday girl, spend time with great friends, but I also got to meet Holly's precious new addition, Eli. I can't believe I didn't get a picture of him! He is so tiny and so beautiful!!!

All in all, Saturday was so much fun!!!

It's Official...I'm No Longer in My 20's

That's right, folks. I am officially 30 years old. I still can't believe it. I'm in a bit of denial. I don't feel any different, but I know that I am. I am now in another decade. I am now a certified "ma'am". *sigh* Oh well. Being 30 probably won't be as bad as I feared. I mean, so far it's been great.

First off, my super sweet husband planned a fabulous surprise birthday party for me. It was the weekend before my birthday and was SO much fun! I kind of suspected something was going on but had no idea that my surprise party would be at the park (so clever and creative and PERFECT for all the kiddos) and that so many of my best friends would be there. I am not one that likes parties for myself (I panic at the thought), but I am so thankful that Channing did this for me. I felt so blessed and special to be surrounded by family and great friends.

Let me just say that Channing worked so hard to keep this a secret. It would have worked, too, had I not used his email to send out some stuff for work. When I was in his email, I saw some responses to a message he had sent out about my birthday. I DID NOT open any of the messages but did see the subject line about my birthday. Poor Channing! He tried so hard! Until I saw the messages, I thought he wasn't planning anything at all for my birthday and was kind of sad. I mean, I was, in no way, expecting a party, but I thought he would at least talk about me turning 30. Nope...nothing.

Back to the fabulous party he planned...since I didn't know I was heading to my own birthday party, I didn't have my camera. Channing didn't think to bring it, so I wasn't able to take my own pictures. However, my super sweet friend, Leisha, shared some she took. Thanks, Leisha!!!

Here is a shot of some of the greatest friends in the whole world. Some of these girls I met in college, some I met here in Birmingham. Each one of them holds such a special place in my heart. Each is special and unique and brings me so much joy. I could go on and on about each of the ladies in this picture. You have NO idea. I love you, ladies! Thank you for making my birthday one to remember!!! I am SO incredibly blessed to call you friends.Here is a shot of a little man that stole my heart three years ago...Eli Hairston. Isn't he a doll?!? This sweet little guy wanted a picture with me, and I was more than happy to oblige. Isn't he gorgeous?! He is so precious. He belongs to my sweet friend, Leisha. Oh, and a little lipstick would have been nice. I had no idea I would be seeing so many people. Who gets dressed up to go play at the park with their kids???And here is a shot of Leisha and me. Love you, Leisha!!! Thanks, again, for sharing your pictures.I wish I had a shot of everyone who made it to the party. My mom took one, but she doesn't have a digital camera. :( If I get a copy, I'll have to share it.
Thank you to everyone who went out of their way to make my birthday special, even those who couldn't be there in person. I am so incredibly blessed to have such a great circle of family and friends. Love you all!

Next post...my surprise trip to Disney World. Yes, I spent my 30th birthday in celebration with Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and the rest of the gang. It was so much fun!!!