Welcome to 30

Yesterday was my 30th birthday. And I had some great things planned to do but that all got thrown out the window when Mr. Jude caught a stomach virus. He slept in until 10am which I thought was a wonderful birthday gift until I found him in a crib full of vomit.

I had planned on doing a bit of shopping, maybe lunch out with Joe and then dinner with my parents. But my day turned into a lot of cleaning and eating pizza on the couch by myself for dinner. Ironically, I don't feel bitter or sad about how the day turned out. I did get a lot of great cuddles from a sicky Jude, Joe brought home a delicious lunch and because of multiple naps I had a bit more me time than usual.

I did get to open my presents from Joe and Jude and I absolutely love them. I got two books, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass and The Fantastic Mr. Fox. I'm sure Joe used a coupon for each of the books which also makes me very happy. Then I got a beautiful Ring from Thailand and a Wrap-Around Dress from Bali. Both the ring and dress didn't cost anything because I had received a gift certificate to use for a Product Review on The B Keeps Us Honest. I love that I received some nice and thoughtful gifts that didn't cost a lot of money, I think that makes it even better.

Joe and I are supposed to go on a date tonight but Jude is still a little under the weather so we'll see how it goes.

There's a Party In My Tummy for Jude Lieb!

I can't believe the time has come to celebrate Jude's first birthday!
On Saturday, June 27th he turns 1 year old.... also we're throwing him a killer party!
Obviously it's going to be Yo Gabba Gabba themed! So to all Jude friends... come party with us!

To all Jude's grandparents and other people that might want to get him something, he made me a list!

1. 12mo or 18mo clothes (Mommy suggested this one)
2. shoes for walking! size 4 or 5
3. sippy cups for drinking juice!
4. board books or anything that I can open and close repeatedly
5. ice cream and lots of it!
6. money for my savings account and college tuition (Jacob suggested this one)
7. Burn Notice Season 2 on DVD (Daddy suggested this one)
8. molars so I can eat chips
9. anything Yo Gabba Gabba
10. all my friends to come to my party!

Well Hello There 29

Yesterday I celebrated my 29th birthday. Since I got my big present on Saturday we kept it kind of low key for my actual birthday.

During the day I hung out with Jude as usual. Then in the evening my parents came over and watched Jude so Joe and I could go out on a date. Because it was my birthday and Joe's birthday is exactly on week after mine and because I'm always signing up for free stuff. We ate dinner at Red Robin where we both had FREE Burgers! Neither of us had been there before so it was an adventure. The burgers were decent but still no match for MoJoe's or Raleigh Times.

Afterward we went to the Galaxy Cinema and saw Sunshine Cleaning. It was good but a bit sadder than I expected. However, I would still recommend you see it. We had one free movie ticket and got the other at the "member" price. So all together my birthday date was pretty economical. :) I think we probably spent about $15 (including the generous tip for the waitress) on an evening that would have otherwise cost almost $50.

Next week we'll celebrate Joe's birthday in a similar fashion... dinner and a movie... and of course we will use coupons!

Oh yeah Jude got me a present, via his father. I now have 3 new potted plants to add to my garden. Basil, Dill and a Banana Pepper.

Hooray for May Birthdays!

Super Secret Birthday Trip

This past Saturday, after my yard sale excursion, Joe took me on a Secret Birthday Day-Trip. (Well it wasn't that secret since he told me about a few days in advance so I could plan.) We drove to Charlotte to visit the new IKEA.
Before we got married Joe and I took a big trip to the IKEA in Virginia (which was the closest location at the time) to buy furnishing for our new apartment. Since then they built one in Charlotte and we constructed a list of additional things we needed. So my for my birthday we put aside a little money and went shopping!

We mostly got small things but a few larger items came home with us... thanks to the Bonchaks who called us while laying on the beach in Charleston to ask if we could buy a 6ft Lack Wall Shelf. (We are good friends!)

So here's what we got...
Hannes Computer Unit w/Drawer
4 Vagen Curtain Rod Sets w/ 1 additional Double Rod wall hardware
3yds of Fredrika Fabric (the blue on blue print)
Ikea 365+ Garlic Press
Lattsam Potty in Blue
Barslig baby spoons
Kalas bowl set
Tripp tin set
Sy sewing Kit
Mula Bead Roller Coaster
4 Nyttja Frames
2 Granat Cushions
Charm Funnel Set (Blue)
3 Bars of Chocolate
1 box Kakor Chokladflarn (Double Chocolate Cookies)

We also ate at the Resturant and Bistro:
Buffalo Chicken Wraps
Fries
Mac n Cheese
Ligonberry Soda
and
$1 Ice Cream to finish the day.

After our 4+ hour visit to IKEA we met Joe's friend Metal Mike at Akropolis Cafe for dinner and then let Jude play in the kids section of Barnes and Noble. Jude was great the whole trip! It was a great day spent with my family. Joe thought he was giving me a shopping trip but he gave me so much more.... all the things I love: Family, Road trips, Shopping, Deals, Chocolate, Greek Food and the perfect day!

Happy Birthday to ME!

Free Stuff on Your Birthday

I love free stuff! I especially love getting emails for free stuff on my birthday.
So I was very happy when I opened my email and received 8 emails with coupons for my upcoming birthday!
Alot of resturants offer Freebies for you birthday! Simply sign-up and they'll send you an email with a printable coupon.

Here are a few you might want to join: (NC)

Baskin Robbins
FREE TREAT: Free 2.5 oz scoop of ice cream

Bear Rock Café
FREE TREAT: Free Dessert

Caribou Coffee
FREE TREAT: Free Birthday Drink

Carolina Auto Spa
FREE TREAT: Free $13 Car Wash

Cold Stone Creamery
FREE TREAT: Free Creation

Maggianos
FREE TREAT: Free Dessert

Qdoba Mexican Grill
FREE TREAT: Free entrée with one entrée purchase

Red Robin
FREE TREAT: Free Gourmet Burger-13 and over

Sephora
FREE TREAT: Free Birthday Item

Smoothie King
FREE TREAT: Free 20 oz. Smoothie

The Melting Pot
FREE TREAT: Free Chocolate Fondue for Two!

Cafe Carolina
FREE TREAT: Complimentary Cafe Carolina Sandwich with the Purchase of a Drink

Greek Fiesta
FREE TREAT: One complimentary Meal up to Ten Dollars!

There are many more that I don't have listed. So if you have a favorite resturant, check their website and if they have an e-club JOIN!

Happy 11th Birthday Cade.

Cade turns 11!

Jude and Lilly trying to eat each other!


Jude and Kendall!


Presents!

Miss Ella!


Happy Birthday!


Transformers Cake!


Grandma and some of the grandkids.

Jude's Great-Mema turns 80

Jude loves his Great-Mema.

They hung out together on Thanksgiving.

And he wished her a Happy 80th Birthday!


Ella hiding for the big surprise


SURPRISE!

The Saturday after Thanksgiving the family threw Mema a surprise birthday party. It was alot of fun and I think she was surprised. Dad and I worked on a special video documenting her life, I think it came out pretty good.

Happy Birthday Gavin

Me and my niece Lily! Look at those cheeks...

Gavin awaiting the cake. Ella looks pretty excited too.

Birthday boy turns a big 4!

Cousins... they look nothing alike but they are both super cute!

More of the cousins Jude and Lily

Lily and her big sis Braelyn.

The cake!

The Beach

Two weekends ago Joe and I joined my parents for a nice weekend at the beach on Emerald Isle, NC. We stayed in a nice condo with an ocean view and three community pools. Although the weather was a bit too cool to swim in the ocean, especially with the ocean breeze, we enjoyed walking on the beach and swimming in the indoor pool. On Saturday we explored Beaufort, NC visiting the Maritime museum and perusing the local shops. We also celebrated Joe's 30th birthday with a nice dinner at Riverside Steak & Seafood and an ice cream cake!

A nice pose with the ocean and sunset sky and the wind blowing my hair in my face.

Right after the wave attacked us.

Joe walking along the beach.

Birthday Ice Cream Cake!

My gift to Joe... a video camera! One day I'm sure he'll enter a video in AFV.

Happy Birthday to Me!

So I turned 28 yesterday and even though it was cold and rainy I still had a wonderful day! The only thing that could have made it better would have been no work, but that's what happens when you're birthday falls on a monday. However, Joe made my work day much better, he sent me a beautiful bouquet of tulips to the office! (The looked something like this!)

Then we had lunch together at Hot Point Cafe in North Hills.

After work we went to our Home Group Social Night, a cookout at the Bonchak's house. Since it was cold and rainy it was more of a cook-in but either way it was yummy and fun. Between, watching 6+ guys attempt to light charcoal in the rain and Seth leading a sing-a-long in the living room, and of course Frank getting to "know" Seanette, we had a blast.

Afterward, we went home and Joe finally gave me my presents! He always does such an awesome job picking out and wrapping presents. Here's a rundown of what he gave me...

1. Jonathan David Helser's new CD

2. John Mark McMillan's new CD

3. Sweeney Todd DVD

4. The Creative Family Book

5. 3 Ugly Dolls (to share with baby lieb)

6. 2 wooden jewelry boxed from Ten Thousand Villages

7. Each box contained 2 pair of earrings from the same store

8. An Aromatherapy Oil Diffuser

I also got a some great present from my family on Mother's Day, actually for my birthday!

My mom gave me a gift certificat to Iatira Day Spa! I'm super excited about that one! She also gave me a few pots so I can plant my vegetable garden.

Birthdays are fun.

I can't wait until next week when I Joe turns 30 and I get to give him my present! I think he'll like it, alot!