30 is Not So Bad

I made it.  I didn't think I would.  I almost had a mid young-life crisis.  Really.  Okay, maybe not really.  But it was a bit scary to me that Nate was turning 30! 

Let me clarify, Nate had no problem turning thirty, even if he did he didn't have much of a choice.  These darn days seem to want to go by quicker and quicker every year. 

I had the problem about Nate turning 30!  The fact that it was the age of 30.  Not Nate, he was not the problem.  Just clarifying. 

We happened to be up late the night before his birthday and at one point I looked over at the clock and it was past midnight and I realized he was officially 30, I almost had a mild anxiety attack.  Then Nate looked at me and asked me if he all-of-a-sudden looked older.  Which he did not.  And I realized I was going to be okay... I think. 

Then a dear friend posted a Happy Birthday note on our Facebook page and said that he was simply one year closer to being with Jesus!  And that was it.  That triggered something in my silly brain.  I LOVE that thought.  And I don't think getting older will be so painful for me from now on, because I'll just be one year closer to being with my Savior!  HOW AWESOME IS THAT!??!!  Eeek!  It actually makes me a little excited about getting older.  A little.  Totally excited beyond words and imagination about seeing my Lord, still just working on the 'getting older' part.

Anyways all that to be said we had an awesome day together as a family on Nate's birthday!  We woke up a little early Monday morning, got ready and headed out the door to Bismarck once again since they have a lot more to offer than Minot does at the moment.  Bismarck has a little outdoor water park that we've driven past many times and always wanted to go to.  Nate's birthday seemed like the perfect occasion to finally check it out.  The kids were so excited they could hardly stand the drive down there.  The day was absolutely beautiful, you couldn't have asked for better weather for North Dakota.  And everyone enjoyed our time there.  We also enjoyed a surprise lunch at Five Guy's, we had no idea they had one in Bismarck and it had been years since we had been.  It reminded us of our Virginia days!

Zeke was adamant that Daddy needed a birthday cake so we stopped at a Coldstone and we all enjoyed a slice of ice cream cake before our drive home.  And even though there were no candles we sang Happy Birthday to Daddy for all to hear in Coldstone!

The day was wonderful and Nate was blessed.  It was a simple day with just our family but it was perfect.

Happy Birthday Lunch at Five Guys!

Zeke and Kenzie loved eating the peanuts.

Concentrating.

When we made it to the water park Janessa passed out for a nap while Nate and the two older kids played in the kiddie pool.

Having so much fun together!

Getting splashed!

It took her a bit to feel comfortable but as long as Daddy was right there with her she was brave!

The water was shallow enough for the kids to feel comfortable to play.

Going down the slide all together!

Going down... or over the side!

One happy girl to be outside!

Watching her bro bro and sis sis play in the water!

Nate enjoyed going down the big slides.  Much better than the blue one, but don't tell the kids...

Janessa and mommy getting their toes wet!  McKenzie's ready to call it a day.

At Coldstone for a birthday cake!

Yummie!

A wonderful birthday for the best and most amazing husband and dad!

And if you've made it this far in the post then you get a special surprise.  A FIRST in our 6 years of marriage.  And only one other time in all the years I've known Nathan have I seen this....

When I met Nathan in Virginia the guy had one burly beard and longer hair.  Then, before we were married, he randomly decided to shave off his beard.  When I saw him I cried.  Yes.  Sadly that is the truth.  He looked SO young it was weird.  So since then he's always had stubble, because once his hair started to grow back we both decided we liked that look on him.  We always joked that when he turned 30 he should shave again because maybe by then he would look a little older clean shaven....

Well 30 is here.

And off went the stubble that has been there for the last 6+ years.

What is he going to look like?!?!!!.... The anticipation was killing me!

And there he is folks, for the first time in over 6 years.  Nate, the clean shaven man.  Yeah he still looks younger.

Before... After

Look at those dimples!  I had no idea! haha! Just kidding!

I am happy to announce that in the last few days the stubble has returned and so has my husband whom I have always known.... ;)