Amber is Fun, Flirty, and Thirty!

Friday was my 30th Birthday!  I have been half dreading/half looking forward to this day since I turned 29.  The closer it got, the more I started making plans to have a grand celebration.  But my plans were quickly thwarted when I asked my family if they would be able to make it to College Station for my birthday, and they all said no.

So with no one coming, I started to refocus on just having a low-key birthday with Julian and Jillian.  I had mentally prepared myself for a casual day with our College Station family only.  

Well, other people had other plans...

On my birthday, at about 4 AM, I got a call from my Mom.  4. A. M.

I thought to myself, "Silly woman, doesn't she know that I was born at 3:30 PM, not 4 AM?!?!" followed by "Wait a minute...she would only call if something was wrong.  Oh my gosh! What a terrible day this is going to be if something is wrong..." (Yes, I really thought all of this at 4 AM, half asleep).

I answered the call and was met with the best news of all..."Come to your door, Amber.  A special package was delivered!"  And that special package was my Mom, brother Joseph, and sister Michelle standing on my doorstep!  Of course, I cried...

After getting them settled in for the night, I fell back asleep for a few hours, and woke up to go to work half day.  My friends at work and students made it a special day while I was there.  My office was decorated, there were gifts on my desk, and everyone in the office sang happy birthday to me and ate cake (thanks, Katy)!  It was also College Colors Day so we took an office photo.  And even though I wore my UTEP colors and not my Aggie Maroon, they let me stay in the picture (probably because it was my birthday).

I got off work as soon as I could though because I knew my family was at home waiting for me.  But I had no idea that another surprise would be waiting for me when I walked in the door...

Not only had my family came into town, but my in-laws came too!  I was shocked to see them and oh-so-pleasantly-surprised to get to spend the weekend with them too!  (Yes, I actually Love my in-laws) :)

With all my family in town, it looked as if it was shaping up to be the grand birthday celebration I was planning for.  We went to my favorite restaurant for dinner and I enjoyed my favorite food surrounded by my favorite people...

...Especially this little person!

And what girl doesn't like to unwrap a jewelry store box on her birthday?!  Thanks, Mom, for the Pandora bracelet!

After we put Jillian down for bed, I asked my parents if they would be willing to go out to a bar.  There is this amazing, charming little bar in downtown Bryan called "The Proudest Monkey."  (For all you Dave Matthews Band fans, isn't that the coolest name for a bar EVER?!?!)  

At 21, you go to a bar with all your friends as a rite of passage.  But at 30, I would much rather go to the bar with my parents. Guess I really am turning into an adult!

What an amazing birthday my 30th turned out to be!  It was completely different than what I expected when I fell asleep on Thursday night, but it was perfect in every way...thanks all in part to this man, who worked to create these special memories for me!

Little did I know what Julian had in store for me next...

:)