A new decade

Rather than being depressed that I turned 30 today as most people seem to be, I am actually finding myself to be rather excited and proud. I've had a pretty amazing 30 years and I'm excited about what's coming next. 30 is just one more year that I can say God has blessed me with.

My best friend Stacey's birthday is only two days before mine, so since we were 16-years-old we have been celebrating our birthdays together. We even celebrated our 18th birthdays together in Singapore with our first alcoholic beverages at Hard Rock Cafe (18 was legal in Singapore).

So we decided we had to do something special for our big 3-0 together. And I think special definitely describes yesterday. We did the Great Strides walk in the morning (which has traditionally fallen right around our birthdays) then headed straight from there to Patrick's of Atlanta for a spa day. We had massages (I had a hot stone massage that was so fabulous I can't even explain it!), manicures, pedicures, and facials. We were treated to a fabulous lunch, and just hung out in the quiet, serene spa. After weeks of packing and yard work it was exactly what my body needed. And after opening a new business and handling loads of fresh produce while pregnant, it was also exactly what Stacey needed as well! (www.bigorganicgarden.com if you're in the Gwinnett area!) It was truly the perfect way to ring in 30 and we've decided it should be a yearly tradition- next year we plan on mud baths and massages!

Great Strides 2014

[No pictures of the spa day- I did think about it, and wish I had gotten at least one picture, but we looked a little goofy in our robes with our greasy post-massage hair]

We finished off our amazing day with dinner at our favorite spot- Bahama Breeze! We have not celebrated every birthday there, but it has become a tradition for us, from our first birthday celebrated together at age 16, to our 21st birthdays when we were finally legal here and could try the Bahamaritas, and now our 30th, with many more in between. Stacey and I have always had a thing for the beach and the tropics (hey, we did spend 4 months together in Costa Rica!), and Bahama Breeze has just the perfect atmosphere to sit back and relax while enjoying the company of friends.

The birthday girls

 Unfortunately I could not find a picture of Stacey and me together at our 16th birthdays! Sad! My mom found one of Cassie and me, and I found one of Stacey with the group. I had one other one of Stacey, but I think she'd be happier if I didn't post it. ;)

Cassie and me, 2000 and 2014

The groups at age 16 and age 30
In attendance at both: me, Stacey, Cassie, and Adam!

As I was packing up clothes in my closet for the move, I came across a dress that I just about got rid of until I remembered that it was the dress I wore for our 16th birthday! Why I've kept it this long, I don't know, and how I fit in a dress at age 30 that I wore when I was 16 is also beyond me (and, honestly, not really a good thing as much as most people would kill for that), but it was fun to wear it to our celebration as it brought back so many happy memories.

30 is bringing a lot of changes that make me both happy and sad, but I am looking forward to seeing what God has in store for me for this next decade. :)

Curb appeal

I am exhausted. Even my fingers almost hurt too much to type. Why you might ask? We have been working our pretty little tushies off around here to enhance our landscaping and, hopefully, our "curb appeal."

According to realtor.com, "Studies have shown that curb appeal can increase the value of a home by 4 to 5 percent. Homes with poor curb appeal in neighborhoods with excellent landscaping sold for 8 to 10 percent less than the market rate."

So with a small monetary investment, and a large manual investment, we went to work to spruce up our yard as we prepare to put our house on the market at the end of May.

I found a few "before" pictures, though they all include snow because apparently that's the only time I photograph my house. I think it goes without saying that with two young kids and only one parent who puts forth most of the effort around the house (that would be Jason, just so you know), our gardens have gone rather untended. We keep the grass cut and pay a lawn service to keep weeds at bay, but beyond that, we just try not to get letters from the HOA. So here are the most recent photos of the exterior of our house.

Bushes are way overgrown (even in winter)

Lack of proper garden edging (hard to tell in snow)

Crepe myrtle on left is way overgrown, along with the bushes
Bushes beneath the crepe myrtle are ugly and spindly

So here is our work in progress. Still to come (but already purchased) are new mulch and some flowers for around the front tree and in the garden beds. The leftovers of the daffodils will be gone by then and in there place we will have some petunias and impatiens. Also, please excuse the grass, it will be getting a haircut and edging very soon.

Overall yard, added edging around front tree, will also add flowers

Added new garden edging, bushes hacked back
(Mowing the lawn will make the edging look even better)
Also notice two photo bombers

Nice parking job, I know. 

Crepe myrtle properly groomed
Removing lower branches really opened up the yard

So, still some more work to go, but I think it already looks great! We've also done a good bit of work in the backyard, finally adding mulch and edging around my gorgeous rose bushes. I didn't snap pictures tonight, so I'll post some along with updated pictures of our finished yard. 

Anyone have any tips for enhancing curb appeal, or home value? I'm all ears!

P.S. I could not be more thankful for my Energizer-bunny mom who spent her Mother's Day weekend (and the ENTIRE week beforehand) doing this with me!