Unbeleivable

Yep, that's how I'm gonna sum up turning 30 - unbelievable, amazing, incredible.

No more crazy, wild 20's - where your trying to figure out what you want to do and who you want to be. I know what I want, and I know who I am - finally after all these years.

I'm really looking forward to the next chapter, I'm taking the advice of a wise soul and not focusing on all the things I wanted to have done by now, but instead looking at how far I've come and how much I have done up till this point.

Turning 30 was pretty great, and I'm not even done celebrating! Tuesday morning greeting me with a kiss from the h, and a text from my SIL. The H was driving me to the train station and at 7:00, my cell goes off. Now I'm thinking who on earth is texting me this early?? None of my friends are up then (bastards) could only be my SIL Dannielle. Open the message to a picture of Ian & him singing happy birthday to his Aunt Bebe. Yes folks, instant tears, because really - I am that sentimental.


When I got into work, the girls had gotten me balloons and flowers, which we're gorgeous.

My boss got me these balloons, the black one has a picture of the grim reaper and says "I'm just here for the cake" - HA!

Pink Roses absolutely beautiful

Yellow roses, which happen to be my all time favorite and don't mind that apple there. It's only been there for a couple weeks. Maybe tomorrow I should throw it.

I have no idea what these flowers are called, but they were BEAUTIFUL in person! And they smelled amazing.

Later on that afternoon the girls threw me a party! Complete with - are you ready? Chocolate PB cake and red velvet cake!!! YUMMO!

I was super embarassed, as you can see in every picture I look like I'm praying "please god let this end soon!"

I really wasn't expecting a party at work, the girls definitely out did themselves!! I was able to sneak out a little early, the H had asked me earlier "is there any way you can leave early" and I was like, well it is my birthday! So my boss told me to get outta there and I headed home.

We had a quiet night at home (we both actually feel asleep by 9:00 - such romantics we are!).

The H surprised me with the complete series of The OC (I can't even begin to tell you of my love for Seth Cohen!)

and a new MP3 player, as my Zune is a POS. I cannot wait to upload all my tunes on that baby!!!

My stepdaughter surprised me with a "coupon book" - so, so creative!!! Coupons for free bathroom, kitchen, house cleaning, free pedicure, eye brow pluck (yes, I'm 30 and I can't pluck my own eyebrows - don't judge!!). It really was so thoughtful!

Last night, I headed to my SIL's - to help out a little, and of course see the little guy. After I was there for a little while Dannielle said "Ian got you something, but do you want to open it now or Saturday", now I'm not one for decision making so I asked her what she thought I should do & she said well, I have a card for you - "why don't you take the card now & we'll do your gift Saturday at dinner". Sounded like a plan! I was dying to read the card, but I waited until I got home. She had already warned me that "I might cry", I mean - hello this is the girl that cries over greeting cards and babies, of course I was going to cry. And boy was she right!!

I'm not gonna tell you word for word what she said, because some things I'll keep to myself, BUT what I will tell you is that aside from me bawling like a baby in the car, I read some of the most amazing things anyone has ever said to me - in my entire life. If there is anything that I've learned in these 30 years that I've been on this earth is that family, family is the most important thing in the world. It's the reason why I get up in the morning, it's the reason why the world goes round & I am so, so lucky to say - I have the most amazing family. I am so thankful, on so many levels. So 30, 40, 50 - hell even 60. I can handle, as long as their by my side I think I'll be just fine!

The big 3-0

Tomorrow's my big 3-0, and ummm....I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. Birthday's always tend to make me sad for some reason. So I'm trying to keep it together.

There's so much I thought I would have had done by now.
Like have a baby (or two), own a home, maybe have a job that I loved or a waistline that I could actually see, alas - no go.

But I do have a home, a beautiful family, a husband who is far more than I ever could have asked for, step kids who even though I think have given me a grey hair or two are pretty awesome. I have a sister in law, who is my rock and probably one of my very best friends and the one person aside from my hubby who let's me just be me.
I have a nephew who melts my heart, just by the sight of his little red head and turkey legs.
I have friends, who are crazy, loud, obnoxious, fiercly loyal and sometimes dramatic but I can't imagine my life without them. I have a job, that may not be an ideal situation, but I love what I do & most people aren't fortunate enough to be able to say that.
I am beyond blessed, truly I know that.
When I sit back and think about it life, yeah.....it's pretty fantastic - so I shouldn't complain. Maybe 30 will be my best year so far, so here's to growing older and new adventures & maybe babies and waistlines. HA!

I saw this somewhere a while ago, I don't remember where I found it but I think it's fitting:

By 30 you should know:
1. How to fall in love without losing yourself.
2. How you feel about having kids.
3. How to quit a job, break up with a man and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.
4. When to try harder and when to walk away.
5. How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn't like to happen next.
6. The names of: the secretary of state, your great-grandmother and the best tailor in town.
7. How to live alone, even if you don't like to.
8. How to take control of your own birthday.
9. That you can't change the length of your calves, the width of your hips or the nature of your parents.
10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it's over.
11. What you would and wouldn't do for money or love.
12. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs or not flossing for very long.
13. Who you can trust, who you can't and why you shouldn't take it personally.
14. Not to apologize for something that isn't your fault.
15. Why they say life begins at 30.

By 30 you should have:
1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you've come.
2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.
3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour. 4. A purse, a suitcase and an umbrella you're not ashamed to be seen carrying.
5. A youth you're content to move beyond.
6. A past juicy enough that you're looking to forward to retelling it in your old age.
7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age—and some money set aside to help fund it.
8. An e-mail address, a voice mailbox and a bank account—all of which nobody has access to but you.
9. A résume that is not even the slightest bit padded.
10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.
11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill and a black lace bra.
12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it. 13. The belief that you deserve it.
14. A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don't get better after 30.
15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship and all those other facets of life that do get better

So, thirty huh?? Maybe it's not so bad afterall. They say thirties are the new twenties right?? Well, bring it on - but maybe with a side of red wine, or a martini, or maybe both. Hell, it is my birthday afterall!!

Kaiden's Birthday

Today, was my friend B's sons 5th birthday. I have to admit, I wasn't feeling it. I didn't feel like going, because honestly I'm still not feeling 100% & there was a lot I had to do to get ready, like wrap presents, cook, bake....blah blah blah.

I was up at 6:00am this morning baking ziti:

Didn't come out amazing, but what can I say - I CANNOT cook. At all. Ever. I can bake, but no cooking.

The party was @ 3:00, I got there around 3:30ish, and was greeted by this beauty:

Arianna, who was attached to my hip for most of the day/night. I adore her, and well I think the feeling is mutual. As I was stumbling out the door (after one too many mojitos, thanks B!), Ari said to me:

“Please don't go yet Brandi, I wanna come home with you and Mr. Paul”
I said “Oh, really?”
She said all casually “Yeah, I’m gonna go pack a overnight bag and be right back ok? Don’t tell my mom ok?"

HA! Love this kid to pieces but she still didn’t come home with me and Mr. Paul.

So the birthday boy, wanted a "Diego" party. I think Diego is Dora's "friend", not to be confused with "Boots" (and I don't know HOW I know this).

Well, guess who showed up???

Diego!!! Ari, was SO excited! She kept saying "I wanna talk to Diego, can I hug him? Why does he dance like that? What's in his backpack? Can I touch it?" So, so cute!!

Her Brother on the other hand??

Not so sure how he felt about Diego at first, but they quickly became pals.

Oh and Spiderman showed up too. I have to honest, he scared me a little. He was wearing his Speidi suit, which...ummm, was really tight. And he was dancing and shaking around, and I was a little frieghtened, for him and the children. But we won't talk about that.

There was a lot going on, tons of people, lots of food, lots of fun though.

But I'm happy to be home, maybe the fact that there are no screaming kids, or that I had a few mojitos but either way life is good.