Here at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam, I was going to let this March 3rd sneak by like any other day with non the wiser, but…I didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to thank you all for sharing a special spot in my life.
Never did I think that ladies I have never met would feel like “friends,” nor would I be able to deepen my friendship with people in real life because we share a bit more openly on our blog – especially when we blog the beauty AND the bedlam.
I wanted to have you all ponder my age…forever…but I admit, I am entering this dark, and dangerous, new decade.
If I wanted to keep it a secret, I wouldn’t be able to show off what I have been enjoying for breakfast the last few days
(and all the pics had the dreaded age on them).
I am not even a chocolate cake lover, but this six layer little sinner, made by a French pastry chef at this Bistro, has been tempting me daily
(whew, it’s finally gone – someone had to take care of that.)
We laughed when they brought it out because I think he was going to have a heart attack that my sweet sis in love defaced his creation with the candles, and roses.
The fun twist behind this surprise party was that I “planned” the date, time and place myself.
I direct a home school group and we try to have various ladies’ nights out.
Well, with my evening scheduling being so crazy lately, I have postponed the date two other times, and knew that I couldn’t cancel this one.
I announced the date only one week earlier (so they were fast), and that this coffe night would hold, no matter what…even if only one other person could come, I was going to be there.
It was a really busy day, I taught the pre-teen girl’s Keeper Club how to make home made pizza,
and arrived home with just a few minutes to spare.
Had I known that pictures were awaiting, I would have used that time to change my “fat” jeans and shirt, fixed my bad hair day, and put on some make-up, but I was just meeting those friends that you share your bedlam with – you know those kind?
The kind you don’t change your clothes for?
So yes, they got me good…which is rare….
I am so blessed with friends, old and knew, with whom I can share life.
Friends who email me with frugal deals, and cut coupons with me, friends who laugh at me but love me anyhow, friends who have stuck by me through financial disasters, but encourage me along the way with all the amazing things that the Lord has done, friends who have been there through the births of many children, and celebrate the joys and blessings of mothering,
friends that allow me to just be….
This girls night wouldn’t be complete without acknowledging that sharing life with this best friend is a joy, even if he says I’m now officially middle aged.
In my heart I don’t feel middle aged. I’m told I don’t look middle aged…but could it be true?
Is he right? UGH! 🙂
The Lord has wonderful plans in store for my hubby and me during this God Watch period of our lives, and I know that in His time He will reveal them.
So now we wait….
I wouldn’t want to go through this with any one else.
aww happy birthday! what a special evening.
happy birthday!!
I’m glad you had joy by the boatloads for your b’day…..I know you are as much as blessing to those folks are they are to you and as you are to US!!!
Suzanne
Happy Birthday!
That cake looks soooo yummy!
I’m turning the Big 4-Oh in September. I sure hope no one throws me a party …… LOL
Hope you are having a wonderful day. You deserve it!
(((Hugs))) Laura
HEY IT’S TIME TO STAND AND NOTICE…JEN IS 40.
GO AHEAD, DIG YOUR FINGERS IN TO THE ICING AND THEN HAVE A BITE FOR ME.
HAPPY 49…000PS 40TH DEAR FRIEND
March 3, 2009 3:02 PM
THAT WAS ME DELETING…FORGOT TO SPELLCHECK.
Happy Birthday! I really enjoy your blog. I love all your great yard sale finds and wonderful recipes.
ummmm, I’m 42….do you know, I never thought about 40 being middle aged. Is it?? 🙂
Happy Birthday!!!
Um, I wish my fat jeans were as skinny as your fat jeans!
Did that make sense? ;D
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday, girlfriend! I didn't realize this was a BIG one with a zero on the end. Awwww, glad they did a surprise for you. My sis threw me a surprise 40th too & it was a lot of fun. Have a great decade, the 40's really are good ones, but they do fly by, I will warn you. And BTW, you look GREAT!
Happy Birthday! That big one is creeping up on me, too! Glad you had a fun night.
I’ve recently found your blog and I love it. You are really inspiring me to become more frugal. Maybe I’ll even become a coupon clipper!!!
Happy Birthday to you:)! Hooray!
sandy toe
Happy Birthday!!
A great excuse to eat cake. I think I’ll go find a piece.
Hey Birthday Buddy…today is my birthday too!! I’m 42 today. Welcome to the 40’s!
Happy birthday!!
Give me a couple of years, and I will be pondering that big 40 as well-I hope I look as good (and happy) as you do-
Blessings to you today!!
What sweet friends! Happy birthday!
-Kim
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
How very sweet of your friends and sister! The cake looks YUMMY! Yes, women are amazing and share so much with each other. Happy Birthday Dearie. Oh, the 40’s ain’t that bad. 😉
Happy birthday you spring chicken you!
Happy Birthday! What wonderful friends and what a sweet surprise. Thinking of and praying for you and your family while you God watch.
I had so much fun! You are a great storyteller (chickens and all) and it’s great to meet up with your sweat pants sisters!
Happy Birthday! It looks like you had a great time.
Forty-shmorty
You look like you’re twenty-five!
I’m so glad they were able to ‘get you.’ You deserve to be queen for the day!
Happy, happy birthday to a precious lady… you shine!!!!
Happy Birthday! I thought of you last night as I was grocery shopping with my list and coupons in hand. I saved 78.6% on my first official couponing trip!
Happy, Happy Birthday, Jen! Welcome to the 40s. I entered the decade last August. And, since 30 is the new 30 – we’ve got lots of years ahead for “beauty” and for the “bedlam”. 🙂
Blessings to you. Happy 40th!!! May the next 40 bring the Lord great glory!
Happy Happy Birthday Friend! My Hubby shares March 3 with you!!! Watching and waiting on your behalf.
Next year you’ll be wishing you were 40.
But didn’t you get the memo?
40 is the new 30! Happy Day!
Melanie@Bella~Mella
Happy birthday! And wow, that cake looks delicious! 🙂
How fun!!!! Happy Birthday!!
Happy Birthday but no way, you are 40, you are really turning 30 and had those children when you were still a child.
I need to plan my own party, I am turning the next decade older…. don’t tell anyone.
Cynthia
What a special birthday!! Celebrate all month long!
Happy, happy, happy birthday! How special! Kelly
Happy Birthday! That cake looks yummy!
Happy Birthday! What a great time it seems!
You look just fine in your jeans and shirt, happy birthday and God bless you and your family.
http://www.zcouple.com
(((((Happy Birthday Jen!)))))
I agree. Opening ourselves up with the bedlam does help our friends to relate and know us more even if its just over a blog post. It still means a lot in real life when you have a moment to share.
I wish you the Happiest of Happy Birthdays!!! May this be a year filled with wonder and joy at all of God’s many blessings in your life!
Blessings,
Stacey
Happy Late Birthday!
That’s a new twist on surprise party.
I’m a chocolate lover, so I’ll gladly take a piece off of your hands. 🙂
happy birthday! What a wonderful party. you don’t look a day over 18!!!
Happy Birthday, Jen! I’m sorry I’m so late! : )
You are so loved! I know you had a wonderful time!
Happy Birthday, girl! I’m so glad that your wonderful friends surprised you! Yay for good friends!
I’ve been telling The Hubster that I want a surprise party for my 40th. I guess that kind of defeats the purpose, huh? He’s got 2 years to get his act together.
Love you!
K
Happy Birthday….you look so young and beautiful!
Happy Birthday!!!!
Happy birthday, girlie!!!
happy birthday! so glad you friends pulled it off. My hubby just got a job after almost one year of unemployment. It was a serious God Watch time and we loved it – really. He was able to serve in ways he had not been able to in years and God had many blessings along the way!
First of all you look great! I hope I look as wonderful as you when I hit the next decade, second how fun of your friends to give you such a nice surprise! Happy birthday!
Toni
http://thehappyhousewife.com
That is so sweet! Happy Birthday, Jen!!
hope you had a blessed birthday:)
Happy Birthday Sweetie!! Hope it was wonderful!
Happy (belated) Birthday! It looks like a fabulous day and I love how you recounted it all. And good job planning your own “surprise!”
That cake looks amazing and I would definitely have joined you in eating it for breakfast (and maybe lunch and dinner too).
Happy Happy Birthday! Another pisces!
Manuela
Happy birthday! That’s my birthday too 🙂 I found you through TCB. Really enjoy reading your posts.