Saturday is my 30th birthday.

My mom is flying in this afternoon to celebrate with Josh and me. My mom visits a few times each year, and one great thing about that (among others) is that I no longer feel like I have to jam pack the weekend with sights and attractions. On our agenda this trip we have lots of scheduled downtime.

I was chuckling with a coworker yesterday that our big wild plans this weekend include a visit to a museum, dinner reservations at 6:30, and martini’s and some Wii at the house. A pretty far cry from how I rang in my second decade. But that’s the thing; time changes everyone. I used to be one of the wildest people I knew. And it was fun. I have to say, that now, looking back, I appreciate almost all of the bad decisions I made in my twenties.

I appreciate the good decisions I made too.

I have cultivated some of the most amazing friendships. My heart breaks every time I let myself think about how far away my buds live.

I have grown into the kind of person my parents love, obviously, but actually like too. If you knew my parents, what unbelievable people they are, you would know why this is such an honor.

I have spent the better part of the last decade with the two best furry friends a girl could ask for. They miss me when I’m gone, play with me when the sun is bright, and keep me warm when the night is cold. And there is nothing better than getting home from work to see that wagging tail.

I am so blessed that our decision to add one more monster to our family turned out to be such a great one.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the best of my good decisions.

Falling in love with this guy and running off to marry him.

He is my best friend, my partner, and the best person I can think of with whom to do just about anything.

Sorry about all the schmaltz, but a big round number like 30 sort of makes you reflect and take stock.

And for my beautiful life, I am so very, very grateful.

Because we had a gift certificate on the verge of expiration Josh and I went out to dinner last night. It was a fun little adventure- a break from our normal routine.

The first course was a beet salad which- let me tell you, I don’t even like to look at beets, let alone eat them. I tried them. I like to always try them when someone orders them, just incase I may have grown out of my infantile dislike of beets, but no. Beets are not for me.

Not knowing I’d be subjected to beets on a pre fixe menu this week, I actually tried them last weekend too.

They tasted just as bad then.

We’re having dinner at Alinea on Saturday night, and I believe they have a beet course. I figure if any place can change my mind about the dreaded beets, Alinea is the place. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Normally I like to start celebrating my birthday about a week in advance, but this year I just haven’t been feeling it.

{Not my photo- Click for source and to shop}

Kudos to Josh for swooping in with this early birthday present to get me in the mood.

Josh and I celebrated National Corndog Day with some corndogs, and some corny puns.

How wonderful is it that I married a man who will let me stick a french fry in his ear?

We took a thousand adorable pictures of the dogberts.

I swear, we make the bed every morning except for laundry day. This happened to be laundry day.

The cat and the big dog having a snuggle? Um, be still my heart.

These two aren’t feeling the snug like Tibs and the cat- I’m certain that they never will.

Sigh.

Spring is a tricky bitch. Just when you think she’s here to stay- snow is in the forecast. I might be bummed out about that, the threat of snow looming over our weekend, but for the thirty minutes of bliss I was afforded yesterday afternoon.

A half hour of sun, warm breeze and pups; I think that’ll keep me going through the weekend.

One rowdy one, one snuggly one, and one who’s feeling a bit under the weather; all three of them love the yard.

All three of them want to play.

One of them is hell bent against my lazing about with a book.

Dudes, Internet Friends

I want to tell you about my weekend and show you all our pictures and let you tell me over and over how pretty I am, but I’m a little too busy right now.

Well, maybe we have time for one…

See you tomorrow.