My Birthday Weekend...30 Never Felt Better!

I turned 30 this past Sunday and my loving hubby, mom, and sister threw me an 'almost-surprise' party on Saturday at a lovely local park. Luckily, we were under a pavilion b/c we were experiencing the remnants of Hurricane Ike...rain, rain, rain.

The fam was quite deceitful and almost pulled off a total surprise...even my sis, who I can tell is lying a mile away, managed every conversation without a hint of deceit.

It was so great to see my closest family and friends and share a birthday lunch and Karen Champa cake--YUMMY!! Thank you, thank you, thank you...for making me feel so special and loved on my birthday!!!

Of course, the question, "How does it feel to be 30...??" came up too many times to count. I have been busy preparing for the big three-oh...busy trying to get myself into a good mindframe to start a new decade...I started weight watcher's to shed some baby weight, got my hair cut and colored, and have been on a decluttering rampage. We have been throwing away so much and it feels so good....so I am actually happy to be 30...I am embracing it ;-)

Like I said at my party, 29 was a tough year...emotionally, physically, and spirtually...tough pregnancy, tough work schedule, tough 3 months of Levi's life, tough toddler sleeping issues, etc. This year has so many new promises for our growing fam: a full-time firefighter job for my hubby, a happy Levi, and my sweet Mason-sponge....a year of learning and exploring this world around us...together. I like where I am. I like 30. Now, 40 and I may have issues....but we've got some time to worry about that!!

Here's my verse for the year of 30--maybe I haven't been waiting as patiently as I should have been, but the Lord sure has heard my cry:

"I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand." Psalm 40:1-2

The Fam...

Cuzzies...

Brothers

Sisters

Cuzzies and a fan...what more do you need??

Vacation, Part II

Vacation 2008 was a new adventure. Instead of our normal trip to Ocean City, we decided to hit up beautiful Hocking Hills in southern Ohio....so we stayed in a spacious lake house on Lake Logan. We definitely missed the ocean air and Dan & Tim missed riding the waves...but it was nice to try something new...and we got to hike and swim and fish and hot tub...all just 3 hours away from T-burg.

Emily was the menu mastermind and we overpacked foodwise, but did better than last year. Tim and I suffered from minor sleep deprivation as Mason and Levi tagteamed us each night...but we tried to keep our chins up and were able to stay motivated to hike despite the muggy heat and tired eyes.

Mason had normal 2 1/2 year old sharing issues with his cousin Luke and disciplining became tiresome towards the end of the week....but I just kept reminding myself that Luke would be beating up on Levi next year, hopefully, evening the playing field.

The highlight was a 2 1/2 mile hike around the rim of Conkle's Hollow. We were 200 feet up for much of the trek--it was breathtaking and gave quite a sense of accomplishment that we were all able to go with such well-behaved children on our backs.

The adults were even able to muster staying up late, playing cards and Trouble and Hillbilly Golf (borrowed from Tim's Aunt & Uncle) and going for dips in the hot tub. And I was able to start and finish a book, Operating Instructions by Anne Lamott, which was quite a fun read.

Mason loved fishing with Daddy and Uncle Dan. He caught several sun fish and even touched them. Levi had his first taste of real food--bananas.

Here are some pictures....and you can check out Emily's blog for more pics and details. All in all, another year of memories with our favorite people = a trip well worth it!! Some day, we'll be able to vacation without the kiddos....and then what will we do???

packing light...in my parents' minivan

Mason's first fishing trip with Daddy...

4 men in a tub...

The Ashby fam

Swimmin' in Lake Logan

Hiking sisters...

Soaking in God's beauty