Over The Hill.........40!!!

JODY TURNS 40!

Can you believe it? It has arrived. AHHHH! I'll be leaving my 30's this week (tomorrow) and entering into a new decade of adventure and growth.

About a year ago, I started to panic about turning 40. On TV, you always hear, "After 40, you should worry about....." Forty also sounds a whole lot older than even 39. After my panic and meltdown, I just got excited. And here it is.

Dave went all out to create an unforgettable experience for me, the birthday celebration of a lifetime. First, he arranged a huge BBQ for our family and friends. Those who know me well know that I love BBQs about as much as anything! By the end, we counted about 75 people who attended the celebration throughout the evening. The number, however, wasn't so important as the faces. So many loved ones in my life came. It was simply marvelous.

Dave, Jody and Alyssa

Here are some of our first guests and neighbors,
Steve, Bruce, Dana and Nate

Dave arranged for three grills for the chicken and hotdogs. A big thanks to cousin Brian for cooking grilling for over an hour!

Here are some of the Nielsen cousins!

Dave made certain there were black and white balloons everywhere. He arranged for this cake! Delicious!

Uncle Doug!

Fav-o-right Uncle EVER!
(The Sanpete county pronunciation of "favorite" is very important here)

Dana, Nate and Merideth Hult

Steve and Ella Johnston

Ahhhh, FOOD!

My cool brother, Jeff and his beautiful wife, Nicole

Lindsay Family!

Eating and enjoying the beautiful spring weather!

Jody and Jen Johnston!

Friends

Loved the cake!

Yolanda and Dana DuJardin

After I blew out the candles, Dave asked everybody to gather around for his gift. I was shocked since I thought the party was more than enough for a present. Anyway, Dave gave me an envelope with "Southwest Airlines" on it. I opened it and saw, "Milwaukee Wisconsin" and underneath I saw "Las Vegas" so I got confused as to what my present would be! Dave then said we were going to Vegas for several days and would see some shows together. I was in shock! It was the best idea for me.

A big thanks for Dave!

My neighbor and favorite photographer, Jen Johnston, was using my camera to take pictures of everybody. Suddenly, she came outside to find me and said, "Jody, why are there 6 or so beautiful redheads in the kitchen?" I laughed and told her they were all related to my mother-in-law. She said, "I HAVE to take their picture together. Here are several of the Vanderwel girls and my mother-in-law, Barbara.

No, not the Beckams, it's the Nieportes!

There are about 50 more pictures that I could insert here but I'm out of time! Thanks to all for your sweet birthday wishes and for taking time out of your busy schedules to be with me. A special thanks goes out to Dave's mom, Barbara, for all of her help too. To anyone who Dave forgot to invite, know you are loved by the Lindsays!

Alas, I bid my 30s good-bye! Good-bye 30s! Goodbye! Thanks for being so good to me. You have filled my life with memories of 4 pregnancies, 4 births, a master's degree, as well as building and selling homes. In a nutshell, my family came to be in its entirety during my years with you.

Forward

I look forward at this point, embracing what is mine to hold for the short time it is given to me.

Forward

40s! At the end of my 40s, my oldest will have graduated from high school and I'll have two teenage sons, one of which will be able to drive. Alyssa will be 11 years old. Dave thinks he'll be bald. :)

Forward

I'm so thankful for my family, husband and loved ones. I look forward to the memories we will create together! In my 40s! :)

No more goodbyes.
Look'in forward!