30 is colorful and fun!

Earlier this year my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. In fact, the diagnosis came not long after Maggie's CP, so it was extra difficult information to process piled on top of that and a few other things had recently happened. She had surgery, then a second surgery then radiation. Her last radiation visit was the week we were at the beach and she decided a celebration was in order. At first I thought she was just saying "Yes, I'm done with radiation, let's have a party!" You know, metaphorically. But she called while I was at the beach and told me she was really having one and it would really mean a lot if I could make it.
So we went up to TN this past weekend to celebrate what turned out to be a surprise 30th birthday party for me! Yes, our family loves surprises and seem to be the only ones who still do this anymore. Aaaaand, I think I've mentioned I'm the most difficult person to surprise. Ever. So it was an extra challenge to 'get me' I think. They didn't even tell Daniel 'til the night before. Mom and my cousin, Rachel, started talking and planning over Memorial Day weekend, if I have the story correct, and came up with a beach/luau theme. What fun! They worked together and brought in my sister, Tracy and sis-in-law, Becca to help with ideas and making decorations. Everything turned out great!

 All my pictures were taken after the party, so I may be able to
update when I get my dad's pics

 My mom still calls me "little gal" and made this menu

for my Cabana Cafe, super cute

 My sister made all the tissue poms and hung the 

streamers, I love the pops of color

 Becca made the banner, love, but I should've tried

to get a closer shot to get the details

 Tracy brought these beach buckets- they were used

for chips and then given to the younger kids after

 Even real sand made an appearance at the party

Daniel had the job of keeping me busy all afternoon and it was not an easy one. I agreed to lunch but didn't want to be gone long, especially with my cousin in town...she and/or my mom usually give me a hard time when she's visiting and I leave for one reason or another. So I just intended to have lunch and come back- a little break from the kids since Maggie just went down for a nap and Will had no interest in leaving his cousins. Then Daniel bribed me with a trip to JoAnn's (craft store) and a neighborhood with open houses and a model home. I love walking through houses even if I'm not in the market for one. Once I got through those doors, time just slipped away. 

What is wrong with my hand? Seriously. Am I about to start a claw fight with somebody? After the big entrance, I was temporarily distracted because the loud "surprise" apparently frightened Will and he was crying when I first saw him. Also turns out Maggie woke up shortly after our departure and helped with decorations. That's my girl! She knew it was mama's big day and had to be part of it. :)

Here's my beach cupcake cake! Rachel worked with the bakery, over the phone from St. Louis to get this cake put together. I'd say they both did a great job describing and executing the design! Have I mentioned before I'm the worst candle blower-outer ever? I really am. Pretty much never get all the candles first try. And then my sister spread them out in little clusters all over the cake. Nice. But guess what? I got 'em all! Correction- I missed one. The one she missed and I told her to light. The last one. So my embarrassing moment of not blowing out the candles was overshadowed by the embarrassing moment where I started to celebrate after getting all the candles, only to find out I missed one. Oh well. I had a great day and am so blessed for the women in my life who went to great lengths to make my 30th a memorable and special one. Thanks ladies!

Everyone was very generous- I opened movies, gift cards, cash, a wind chime that my aunt Rose sent down from St. Louis and this generation picture frame my mom made of herself, me and Maggie. She and dad sent down gifts with Rob that I opened on my birthday, but this was something extra from her.