Young House Love

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Three Zero

Today I turned 30. Woot.

John Birthday 3 X 10

My mom didn’t make me stand in front of an “I AM 30” banner (or fashion a crown for me) like she has in past years, but she and my dad did have us over for brunch on Sunday morning. It was actually a surprise that Sherry planned with them. I had known about the brunch (since my cousins, aunt, uncle, and little sister had traveled in from DC for the day), but was somehow oblivious to the fact that they might use the gathering to celebrate my thirtieth until a candle-filled plate of muffins was placed in front of me. Oh, but my mom did make me this:

Birthday Mom Spatula Gift

Never one to just slip money or gift cards into an envelope, my mom constructed this “flower” with a happy face spatula and paper leaf pockets that housed some gift cards to my favorite places. Oh, and the can “planter” was stuffed with new running socks (likely my dad’s contribution).

My sisters went in on this for me:

Birthday Bike Poster

It’s the Christine Berrie bicycle print that I’ve always loved over on 20×200. It’s the perfect addition to my bicycled-themed art obsession. Speaking of which, I did actually manage to secure a set of the Gap bicycle prints that I yearned for thanks to a helpful Gap manager (remember when I pined for them here)? We were truly shocked when they arrived at our PO Box. Lesson learned? If you ask enough times, a manager might take pity on you and actually send a sign your way (instead of tossing it into the dumpster). So be the squeaky wheel, folks. And hooray for recycling! (Get it? Bicycle? Cycling? See what I did there?).

We haven’t figured out where to hang my new bike collection yet, so pictures “in situation” will have to wait for another post when we pin down proper locations.

John Birthday 20x200 Print

But I do have “in situation” pictures of what Sherry gifted me. Any guesses?

Birthday Opening Robbie

Yup, it’s a white rhino. Specifically the large Robbie trophy that she bought me from Cardboad Safari. I know it’s probably one of the weirder sentences I’ve ever typed, but rhinos are kind of our thing. We even worked one into our blog header.

John Birthday Rhino Close

Sherry knows that I’ve always loved the larger Cardboard Safari creations (not that I don’t also love our little full-bodied Robbie, who makes frequent appearances in various places like our console table and our laundry room). Big Robbie is an especially fitting gift since I surprised Sherry with a ceramic rhino for V-day a while back (more on how that turned into a highly involved rhino scavenger hunt here). So apparently we like giving each other horned mammals. And they keep getting larger. Maybe we’ll end up with a life sized rhino in our kitchen someday a la the giant dog on Friends.

Oh but one word of warning for anyone else who’s eying a large trophy: be sure to consider how far they stick out from the wall when it comes to where you want to hang them (this guy comes out about 18 inches). We fortunately found this spot where no one’s gonna knock into him when they walk by or sit down (since you stand up in front of the chair and not on the chair). So while nobody puts Baby in a corner, we totally put Robbie in a corner. And we love him there.

John Birthday Rhino Far

Overall, the birthday celebrations were pretty low-key (just the way I like ’em). My family took me out to dinner last night and my mom is babysitting tonight so Sherry can have a date with her old man (aka me, in case that was too cryptic for you). Lately she has been calling me her silver fox because I’m sporting some gray hair in the front. But she swears up and down that it’s a compliment. Her rebuttal is usually “Hello? Anderson Cooper – I rest my case.”

Oh, and since I never got around to making a “to do before I’m 30” blog list (like Nicole), I was pleasantly surprised to find that I had actually made one on paper back in high school (as part of a prompt in my senior English class). Who knew keeping those old notebooks stored away would ever come in handy?

Johns15Before30List

Looks like I had gone back and updated it with “Completed” marks sometime around 2005. And sadly I haven’t checked off many more since then. No new countries (#4), bungee jumping (#6) nor movie roles (#7) for me. Though Sherry and I did visit Hollywood (#8) on our first vacation together in October 2005.

John Birthday Hollywood

And I sorta accomplished #9, if you count my run in with Kelly Clarkson at a client event in May of 2005.

John Birthday Kelly Clarkso

Neither Sherry nor I can remember if we still had our fish when we got Burger, so #10 is an unknown. I definitely haven’t learned how to play the bass guitar (#11)… or even the regular guitar (though I owned one for a short time in 2002). But I did work for the National Geographic Channel (#12) in the summer of 2001. It was far from glamorous, but certainly more satisfying than seeing #13 come true. Oh the lofty dreams of an 18 year old…

And although I had completed #15 by visiting Hawaii with a friend before Sherry and I even started dating, it was nice to earn some bonus points by going to Alaska on our honeymoon.

John Birthday Alaska

Speaking of which, I’m gonna earn a third check mark on #15 when Sherry and I continue the turning-30 celebration next year (Sherry hits the big 3-0 in March) by following through on our plans to vacation in Hawaii (which will also multitask as a vacation to celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary). But more on that another time. A long post like this has made these old bones weary. Just kidding. To anyone wondering, 30 feels just like 29. But Clara’s even more fun this year because she’s walking and talking (and singing hilarious songs). This morning, for example she sang this:

“Twinkle twinkle little star, how I wonder what you said.”

Anyways, thanks to my family for a fun 30th. And to everyone who made my 20’s an exciting and eventful decade. Here’s hoping the 30’s are just as fun!

Comments

  2. Kalei says

    Happy Birthday, John and congratulations to you both on being featured as “The Best Home Decor Blogs to Bookmark Now: Part II” on Refinery29.com’s SF website. You’re the first on my Google Reader!

    Cheers!
    Kalei

    Reply

  5. Emily B says

    Happy Birthday, John! Today is my husband’s 29th birthday. He has two pictures just like your flashback pics…same blue and red coat, but no crown. :) I hope you enjoy your day.

    Reply

  8. Ali says

    Happy Birthday!! I just turned the big 3-0 myself a few weeks ago. Felt VERY odd the first time someone asked me how old I was and I said, “30.” I actually laughed out loud. Which made me feel more like 12. :)

    Going to make any “must do by 60” lists? :)

    Reply

  10. Dana @ House*Tweaking says

    Here’s to 30 more big ones just as great – or even better! Happy Birthday!

    Just for you and your Sprite t-shirt loving self, John…my 3-year-old, Everett, has invented his own version of Taio Cruz’s song ‘Dynamite.’ Reminded me of Clara’s Twinkle, Twinkle rendition…

    “Now I told you once and I told you twice. We gonna light it up like it’s Coke and Sprite. Sayin’ hey-o…”

    Reply

  11. Briel K. says

    I love your mom’s creativity on your gift. So cute. Your list is awesome too! I tried out for The Real World once. I don’t think I was crazy enough for them. :) You guys really need to work on #4! And if you ever have a hankering to do #8 again I hope you’ll drop me a line so I can show you around! I can get you much closer to the Hollywood sign than where you took that photo at Hollywood and Highland. :)

    Reply

  13. Meredith says

    Happy Birthday! I turn 3-0 in May, so I’m desperately working on my “before 30” list that I made right before I turned 20 (I got sky diving taken care of, which was a biggie!). Also working on a “before 40” list to be written up prior to the b-day. Who knows what great things the thirties shall bring?

    Reply

  14. Anita says

    Happy birthday! I gotta admit, I’m going to try for a silver hair sighting in your future postings. I’m celebrating the big 3-0 in June, but I’ve already told my family that this year was my first 29th birthday – with many more to come :-)

    Reply

  15. Karen L. says

    Happy b-day 30 yr old! The thirties are the best of all in many ways…..though each decade has it’s “perks” I think. So glad you have so much fun celebrating with your sweet and thoughtful family. Love the fun ideas too! Have a super time!!

    Reply

  16. julie g. says

    Happy Birthday John!!! Thanks for sharing such great family memories with your fans. I love that you not only had a bucket list for 30 but that you actually went back and referenced it.

    And I can’t believe I am asking this, but what kind of cabinet or little set of doors do your parents have to hide their flat screen tv? It is in the background of one of your post photos. Thanks!

    Reply

  17. Katie G says

    Happy Bday! If it’s any consolation, I am a mere 26 but already finding an alarming number of white hairs on my head. I come by it honestly, though — my great-grandmother’s hair turned completely white before she turned 30!

    Reply

  19. Allyn says

    Happy happy birthday!
    The hubs is turning the big 3-0 next year, so I’m already brainstorming trips. Chicago or Charleston are being thrown around. Mainly because we want to eat lots of food, and I keep hearing about great places to eat there.
    Doesn’t take much.
    Pretty sure at one point in elementary school my life list included having red hair (um…natural blonde here, though I did dye it red for a short time), having a horse ranch in some sort of mountains, and twin girls named Rose and Violet.
    Yeah…

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Not only did I send a video to MTV to apply for the Real World in college, Sherry and I made a joint video to apply for The Amazing Race right before we started dating (our whole pitch was we were friends with crushes on each other and the race could make or break us). Haha. Guess we weren’t interesting enough! Only later did Sherry admit she was very happy we didn’t make it because she gets nervous on camera, is terrible with directions, and “only runs when being chased.”

      -John

    • Laura says

      My husband told me on our first date that he would only run if a puma was chasing after him. I knew he was for me after that confession.

  23. Kasey March says

    I think I’m going to tune in to the comment section so I can keep reading the crazy things people’s kids say. And to add one more, my cousin Zoe once told my Dad and I, “I can’t see the dark!” when the lights went off during a storm.

    We both cracked up.

    Reply

  25. Amanda says

    Happy Birthday John! All of this nostalgia from the 90s-00s is making me get all teary-eyed. Oh the memories. Have a wonderful day… and date-night! :)

    Reply

  29. Jessica says

    Happy Birthday John! I am so confused about #13…. is that because you wanted to be on it!? haha. dreams are dreams, glad you could accomplish many before your 30th. New list for the next 20 years?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      To explain, sort of: I always felt like DC was kind of a neglected city. Everyone talked about NYC, LA, Miami, Chicago, etc but DC didn’t seem to be on anyone’s radar besides politics and history. So I thought DC getting its own season of Real World would mean it was finally getting proper recognition as a cool place.

      But then the Real Housewives of DC kinda undid it all by being the only season to not get renewed. Wop wop.

      -John

  30. Emily V. says

    I turned 30 this year too. I wish I would’ve done a list..maybe I’ll do a things to do before 35. : )
    Enjoy your day! Happy Birthday!

    Reply

  31. Sarah Mc says

    Happy Birthday, John! I turned 30 last week and completely understand how you feel. It was an amazing birthday, made even more special by the fact that my kids were old enough to understand and participate.

    In a strange coincidence, my husband and I also took a trip to Hawaii (Kauai) in September to celebrate our 30th birthdays and our 5 year wedding anniversary. Hope you 2 have a grea time!!

    Reply

  32. Hayley says

    Happy Birthday!!! The Dirty Thirty, as I like to call it. Like Sherdog, I hit the big 3-0 in March. From what I hear, the 30’s are the best decade!

    Reply

  34. Meggan says

    Happy Birthday!!! Maybe you’ll have to reach for the stars and live to see “The Real World: Richmond”!!! Haha! The 30’s are great, especially for silver fox!

    Reply

    • Meggan says

      Just love the kiddo stories, reading through reminded me of something my 5 year old said also during a power outage. He woke up screaming saying “My eyes can’t adjust, my eyes can’t adjust!” Not “I can’t see.” Ha, that’s what you get when you give them a thesaurus! ;)

  35. shereen says

    Happy Birthday! Welcome to being in your 30’s! You NEED to visit another country! I understand that you guys are busy with the kitchen, the blog and all the other wonderful things you are doing so a short extended long weekend up north to CANADA would be perfect in my opinion ;) If you wanted to make it a road trip I would highly recommend driving up to Montreal. Great inspiration, a touch of Europe all within a 12 hour drive north of VA! (Ottawa and Toronto are also great options…and anywhere on the East coast…and anywhere on the West coast…and far north up in the territories too!)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh yes! We have planned a Montreal trip for so long! We hear it gorgeous. Can’t wait to do that! Definitely this decade.. hopefully in just a few years!

      xo,
      s

  38. Izabelak says

    Happy birthday John!
    I turned 30 this year in May and had a family filled birthday which is the best way to celebrate this special number, I think.

    Reply

  39. Dana P. says

    Happy birthday!

    I don’t usually laugh out loud at blog posts, but reading Clara’s version of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” caught me totally off guard. You should try to catch that on video :)

    Reply

  40. Lisa L says

    Happy birthday! My husband and I are going to Hawaii for the first time in Febuary…it’s part of the what-we-want-to-accomplish-before-having-a-kid list. Aloha!

    Reply

  42. Asta says

    Happy birthday to us! I myself am turning 29 today. Glad to know that 30 doesn’t feel any different than 29, because so far, 29 feels about the same as 28. :)

    Reply

  45. Rebecca says

    Happy B day John- PS its my birthday today too…somehow I knew we had more in common than just obsessive compulsive disorder…not that I’m diagnosing you you or anything :)

    Reply

  47. Lindsey d. says

    Woo hoo! Happy Birthday! I turned 30 in February (big up for 1981!) and went to Hawaii in June. It’s a great 30th birthday place to go. Y’all have fun!

    Reply

  49. misa says

    my husband turned 30 in september, and i will turn 30 this coming april. oh, class of 2000; we’re growing up! i would HATE to see a list of the things i hoped to accomplish before turning 30. i had some very strange ideas about what adult life would be like when i was 18.

    Reply

    • Bethany Annechino says

      Let’s weep together about this. My reunion last Summer was most startling because EVERYBODY LOOKED SO OLD! I was certain that by 29 (30 in Feb), I’d have accomplished so much more than is even reasonable.

  50. Shelby says

    I think I need to buy one of the bicycle prints now too- it’s awesome. We are completing a remodel of our old tandem garage/3 season room which was always known as “The Bike Shop” since that used to be where we kept all our bikes when we first moved in. Now that it is our family room, I’ve been looking for a way to honor its past and I think that the bicycle art will be just the thing!

    Reply

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