Big 3-0

Today, I celebrated my big "30th" birthday with friends and family.

David and I laughed about the fact that when he turned 30, he lived in Detroit alone, closing on our house, while I waited back in Arkansas finishing up my school year. And now that I'm turning 30, I'm back in Arkansas and he is in Detroit alone again.

Time apart does make the heart grow fonder and he was missed today at the party, but I am so thankful he is the hard worker and provider for our family that he is.

My wonderful parents have catered to Harbor and I this week, driving us here and there {my car is in Detroit}, planning fun activities, and cooking our favorite foods. What a blessing and example they are to me, even more so now than ever before.  

Rachel celebrated her 21st birthday and I my 30th.

Mark Twain said it best when he said,

"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."

I am so thankful for this abundant life I have through Christ. To be honest, I don't deserve it. I am a sinner saved only through the blood of Jesus Christ. He is my Help and my Father.  

Twenty one fingers!

Thirty Fingers!

Harbor thought the chef at the open air grill was a bit too noisy for his liking!

We had a fun time chatting with the chef, and he and Ashley provided lots of entertaining pictures!  : )

So thankful for gift cards that I can use back at home and share with my family of three.

I love going out to eat!

My mom worked hard to surprise me with a sweet, sweet gift from Harbor. What a treasure! He was so proud, and my heart bubbled over with love and happiness for his hard work.

Matthew 6:20

"Instead, store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust don't destroy and thieves don't break in and steal."

Another very special gift was from my parents. Oh, how my heart sang!

My mom took hundreds of hours of camcorder tape, took them to Sam's Club, and had them burned professionally onto DVDs, all organized by date and chapter. What value they have for us now- to be off tapes and cassettes- ready to be watched and enjoyed easily.

The girls

My parents

After the party, we celebrated my great aunt's 50th wedding anniversary. What an accomplishment in this day and age. Wonderful marriages don't just happen. They require loving someone else more than yourself. They are an inspiration to me in being selfless and self sacrificing, which were reminders I certainly always need to see and hear.

Harbor was fussy from being confined at the restaurant and then having to sit quietly at the anniversary party, so I ended up spending the majority of my time in the parking lot pushing him in the stroller. Oh, but to be in a parking lot in Arkansas. Big smiles!  : )

He did request cake later. Smart boy.

I was pleased to see so many familiar faces and family members.

It was a great weekend. David has been managing well and spent the day in Michigan cleaning out the garage. We miss him, but know these next two weeks in Arkansas will pass so quickly. I'm thankful he has allowed me to be gone three weeks. He knows being with my family is like water to my soul!

One day left to vote on the poll!