The Best Way to Turn 33

I have to say, my birthday was so 

great this year. Jake was on a busy month 

in the PICU, so my expectations were 

very low. So it was a great surprise when 

I found out he took MLK day off to 

celebrate my birthday (a few days early)!

First, he arranged to watch the kids

while I went to a surprise breakfast at

the Mad Hatter with some friends.

Heck, I didn't even know I had this 

many friends here in Durham!

(From left: Cassie, Charisse, Jessica, 

Stephanie, Cabrina, me, Melissa & Janssen)

In the afternoon, he arranged for me

to have a nap and then we went to 

Cheesecake Factory as a family.

I ordered my favorite avocado rolls,

and got a darling mini Sundae for

dessert (since I don't like cheesecake).

(outside the restaurant)

On the 21st, I held a playgroup at my 

house and had quite the turnout! At one

point I counted 12 moms and over 30 kids.

I bought a Publix cookie cake to share,

and picked up a new flavor of Bluebell.

After the crowd left, my friend Melissa

stayed and put our kids to work sanitizing

the toys. We had lunch and a nice chat.

When Jake got home, we ate dinner and 

opened presents, and Corbett sang 

"Happy Birthday" to me about 7 times. 

(note how he says, "To Bethany")

I can honestly say this was the best 

birthday I've had in a long time.