This birthday made me change my bio here on the blog…I can no longer say I’m a twenty-something!
I’m a little behind on my recaps, since my birthday was a few months ago now, but I’m so glad to be getting this posted! 🙂
I don’t make a big deal out of my birthdays as far as celebrating goes, but I do like to enjoy my day! My birthday Starbucks is always a highlight! I typically go to lunch with my parents to celebrate, and then my husband and I usually grab a yummy meal together and may rent a movie.
This year felt a little difficult to focus on my birthday though. There were so many other things going on at the time and my grandpa was very sick in the hospital. For those of you who have followed along this journey with me, you know that I was very close with him, and it was so hard to watch him suffer. He eventually passed away later in July.
I can still remember him taking the time to write me a Facebook comment to wish me a happy birthday, and to tell me I was his favorite granddaughter. It was a little saying we had together because I’m his only granddaughter, so it was funny to us.
Even though I was technically supposed to be visiting my best friend in Iowa during my birthday weekend, I’m really glad I was at home so I could spend more time with him. I was able to thank him in person for his birthday wishes, and just be with him.
Anyhoo, let’s dive into what I actually did for my birthday!
Lunch at Olive Garden
Funny enough, up until maybe an hour before lunch time, I was still telling my husband I didn’t want to do anything special for my birthday. I am difficult sometimes, haha! But I finally decided a yummy lunch at Olive Garden would be a fun choice – and I could get a free dessert to take home!
I’ve probably mentioned this before, but I tend to get the same thing every time I go to OG: five-cheese ziti. It is my all-time favorite!
I has a tough time picking from the desserts because they all looked so good, but I ultimately decided on the black tie mousse cake. It was delicious and so rich!
I thought I took a photo of the cake, but since I didn’t, check out this amazing plate of desserts from my in-laws! I apparently ate one of them before I took the photo judging by the empty spot, haha. They had a 4th of July get together at their house, and out of nowhere, everyone started singing to me and they brought me this plate! So incredibly sweet, and so yummy! We were getting ready to play Bingo – it’s a family affair.
An Adventure to a Nearby Lake
Kyle asked me when we got back into the car if I wanted to go on an adventure. To his surprise, I said yes! Haha, I try to be a little more adventurous but usually my anxiety gets in the way at some point. And it did just that later on in the “adventure.” 🙂
We were driving for a little while through some country back roads and I kept my composure until we went down a narrow road. It seemed like only one car could fit so I was praying no one would be coming at us. Then, we saw a huge tree that was laying down across the road up ahead. I could tell someone had drove over the edge of it and I told Kyle not to even think about it, haha. We had to turn around, lots of pulling up and backing up, and I was not happy! I definitely let my anxiety win for a few seconds (or minutes!), but we eventually got out of there without any other cars coming our way.
We FINALLY reached the boating docks for a nearby lake. I have to say, the view was SO pretty and worth all the craziness it took to get to it.
A Little Reflection on Last Year’s Birthday
I’m not sure if you’ll remember my post from last year, so here it is, just in case!
I got my XT5 last year and I still adore it. It has been such a blessing to me, thanks to my sweet hubby, and it has helped me transport my parents with so much more ease. They do really well, but still, they have a hard time getting down into smaller cars, like my old Buick Verano. It would have been super difficult for my mom!
To be honest, this SUV still doesn’t feel like it’s mine. It still has that new car feeling and I truly hope it always feels this way. I don’t want to forget how blessed I am to be able to have it, and I hope to keep her for many more years!
We welcomed little Pepper Ann into the family last July too, and look at her now!
This cat has caused me so many problems over the past year, but she is my baby! Finally, our older cat Draino is getting along with her (for the most part) and they actually play together now! It’s a true miracle. I stayed so stressed watching them fight, or run and hide, and it was just a mess for several months.
Everyone said it would take at least a year, and honestly it has taken the whole year and almost a half to get to where we are today – but it was worth it. We rescued her from who knows what her life would have been like if we didn’t take her in, and she has been right by my side every day even when I’ve been upset with her. She sleeps with me every night and always wants cuddles!
I hope you enjoyed this little post on my 30th birthday! I am grateful to all of you who come hang out with me here on this blog and on IG/Facebook, and hope we get to spend many more birthdays together!
Well Happy 30TH Birthday!! The Olive Garden is great. You dinner and cake looked amazing. And indeed the view of the lake just brilliant. You cat photos make me miss my cats, I had to give them up when I sold my mothers house and moved to an apartment that did not allow pets. I am sorry you lost your grandfather. I have been through this and I know it is not easy.
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
Thank you so much, Allie!! It was really a beautiful day for me, and I’m very blessed. I wish I could share with cats with you! I remember when you had to part with them, and my heart broke for you because I can only imagine how hard that was – especially under the circumstances. I know out of all people, you certainly understand. You have been through it, my friend. Thank you again for your kind words and support! ❤️
Happy birthday Ashley!!
Jennifer
Curated by Jennifer
Aww, thanks Jennifer!!
I’m glad you were able to celebrate your birthday with family and with delicious food! it’s a shame the drive to the lake was a bit stressful but looks like the view was worth it when you got there 🙂 Happy belated birthday!
Hope you are having a good day 🙂
Thank you so much, Mica! 🙂 It was a blessed birthday for sure, and yes, the lake was absolutely worth the driving chaos to get to it, haha!
It is a great day, my friend! I hope the very same for you and hope you are enjoying your weekend!
Happy 30th birthday, I wish you the best! Hope you had the most amazing day, may all your wishes come true! <3
http://www.couture-case.com/
Thank you so much, Jelena! I appreciate that so much! 🙂
Happy birthday to you! Your cake and dinner both looked amazing. I’m glad you got to eat some delectable food and celebrate your birthday with family.
Ashley, happy birthday!
https://www.melodyjacob.com/2022/10/how-to-break-out-of-nzu-addiction.html
Aww, thank you Melody! I truly appreciate it!! 🙂
Happy 30th, Ashley! Your 30’s are awesome- I say this as someone firmly in hers, haha. They’re a great time!
Your birthday sounded lovely- but I’m sure it was a little bittersweet because you were missing your grandpa. It’s tough to lose a grandparent! I love that your husband and fam showered you with good food! That’s always the best. 🙂
-Ashley
New post up here 🙂
Aww, thank you, Ashley!! I love that so much! 🙂
It was a really nice day, even though it was a little tough with just losing my grandpa. I am beyond blessed!
Wishing you a wonderful week, my friend!
Happy Birthday Ashley! Your trip to the lake looked lovely! It sounds like it was worth the stressful trip! Your cat pics are precious!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thank you, Jill! It was so beautiful and yes, well worth the stress, haha!
Happy Birthday! I’m glad you had a wonderful celebration with your family.
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Thank you tons, Lovely, that is so kind of you! 🙂
What a wonderful recap my friend! Happy belated birthday! I am sorry that I missed it. Love that you went on an adventure. That place looks so serene and beautiful. And yay for the cats getting long! I have the same situation in my house. It took almost a year for my kitties to get along but it’s finally happening. Enjoy the 30’s! I would love to be back there. Lol!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Aww, thank you my friend! And I think you wished me a happy birthday over on IG when I shared on the day! 🙂 It was definitely a blessed day and loved the pretty lake we visited. That makes me so happy that your kitties are getting along now too! I remember when you got Princess Poppi, she is so precious! Haha, I’m trying to make the most of my 30s!
Ohh, I didn’t know you missed your trip to see your best friend, but maybe you can reschedule it sometime soon. Your grandpa was so sweet to get on FB and leave you that message even though he probably wasn’t feel his best then. You will always be his favorite granddaughter! That drive to the lake reminds me one time when Brian and I went to a wedding in a rural town in Missouri and GPS messed up and got us on a road that was flooded! We had to turn around and it got my anxiety going too! Ha, ha. Your little Draino kitty is so sweet!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
I think I’ll be able to, hopefully in the next year or so! I totally agree, it was so kind of him and I’ll cherish it for forever. Oh my goodness, your story is much scarier than mine! I would have really freaked out when I saw it was flooded, haha!
Happy Belated Birthday! The trip to the lake looks beautiful and that 5 cheese ziti looks delicious!
Julia x
https://www.thevelvetrunway.com/
Oh, thank you SO much Julia! I truly appreciate it. It was a really great day.