I know, I know….it’s been a while since I have blogged. My life has been “fast forward on crazy” these past few weeks!
My kids leave town for a church camp tomorrow. My 40th birthday is this coming weekend. My first triathlon is this weekend. And my GIRLFRIENDS love me enough that they stole me out of town EARLY for my birthday.
Last weekend, I was just taking my time getting out of the shower…..thinking I was going shopping with my Mom (nice job Mom) when I heard this incessant beeping of horns outside my house. As I run outside IN A ROBE and MAKEUP-LESS, I see my 4 closest GIRLFRIENDS loaded up in 2 vehicles with their bikes and bags packed…..they had planned a GIRLFRIEND’S weekend away just for me!
I had so many things going thru my mind when this picture was taken:
-I know there is a camera snapping pictures and that I have on no makeup and I really don’t care.
-Even tho I don’t care, I still know that I am no Demi Moore when it comes to crying.
-They love me…..they really love me.
-Are my kids and husband gonna be ok without me for a weekend?
-Wait, did we have any plans this weekend? (turns out we had nothing….thank you husband!)
-Am I gonna be able to workout (my tri was in 2 weeks)?
-And where are we going???????
Just that morning I had told a friend that I was “unsurprisable”. Yep, I ate crow. I had nooooooooooo idea. Not even a hint of an idea.
So into the house I ran to throw on my favorite yellow dress so we could head out of town…..
I seriously got ready in about 5 minutes. I couldn’t wait! I had been crying on the phone with my momma about our adoption struggles and life’s struggles only a few hours before the girls pulled up. This weekend was just what I needed….. it was a salve to my soul.
These are my 4 closest girls. My front line. My sisters in Christ. I love them dearly.
After we posed a bit, we were on the road to Rocheport, MO…..home of the Katy Trail.
The girl’s had booked us a weekend at a place called “The Girl’s Night Inn“….perfect for a GIRLFRIEND’S weekend.
The first thing we saw when we pulled up were these vintage bicycles. Hilarious! And a deathtrap I might add.
They had old batons and hula hoops. Croquet sets and hammocks. Smores and a firepit. Old fashioned fun!!!
They also had a basket of dress up clothes. Shauna had on the sequins as soon as she saw them….sequins are her second skin.
We spent the entire weekend eating, laughing, crying ….and staying up way too late.
The rode the Katy Trail for a 20 mile bike ride. It was so hot and sweaty and yet we didn’t even seem to notice. There was JOY in the JOURNEY.
The Katy Trail runs right next to the Missouri River and was just a beautiful, beautiful ride!
Then there was movies and nail polish ….. and more staying up late.
“Here’s to good women: May we know them, may we be them, may we raise them”. Love!
Everything was centered around relationships with GIRLFRIENDS…..which I love!
Even the cookbooks…..
And the tshirts….centered around GIRLFRIENDS.
To my GIRLFRIENDS…..I love you each more than you know. You have been friends who have stuck closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). I am forever grateful for the years and years of close friendship that I have had with each of you. We are in this together for the long haul. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
12 comments
SO sweet!!! What good friends, indeed. I am so glad they were able to surprise you. Truly priceless!!! Happy Birthday!!! Blessings!!
Lucky you. Lucky them. Looks like so much fun and I always believe you have to be a wonderful friend to have those kinds of friends. They say a lot about you.
As for turning 40 you are a baby. The 40’s were fun but now that I am 50 well I think THIS is the best decade yet. 🙂
Enjoy and Happy belated bday
Pam @ BeColorful
You still looked beautiful without makeup 🙂 I remember my 40th b-day party 4 years ago. Unforgettable memory. Glad you had a WONDERFUL time! Happy Birthday, Jen!
You look beautiful- I know I haven’t been around in ages, but I am pretty sure I just saw you on the TODAY SHOW! I was watching this morning and I looked at my son and said HEY! I know who that that lady is! It was an awesome piece and HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY!
Your besties know exactly what you NEEDED! Time away with you to celebrate YOU! I love how they incorporated fun workouts so you had absolutely no reason to feel guilty about being away. Workouts, wine and women…sounds like a fabulous weekend!
I know I’ve told you this before, but you girls are truly beautiful!
what a great post! thanks for sharing your day
what a great post! thanks for sharing your day
Happy Birthday! Great post today..thanks for sharing…Pat H
It was so much fun! I look forward to many more birthday celebrations or surprise birthday celebrations whether it be on a beach in Cancun…zipping, or long bike rides, good food/wine and relaxing…just enjoying the blessings of friendship. Raise your glass to many more moments like this!
Absolutely awesome for some time with friends. I could have sworn I saw you on the Today Show out of New York. Sitting at a table with your kids, something about 40 years old eing the new 30. ????? Was that you? I didn’t get to see the whole segment. Darn it! You’re such a sweetie! Love your blog! Carolyn
This made me wanna cry a little bit. I love this! How cool is that!
Man looking at the pictures it makes me want to go back. I hope you know how much we love you and that we celebrate your life and the blessing it is in our lives. Thanks for all the fun…I should have worn that skirt out on the town. Cant wait to celebrate many more birthdays…love you!