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Today is my birthday.
My original plan was to just totally ignore it. Not mention it and pretend it wasn’t happening because you see it’s a big one! I thought about just staying in bed all day and pretending it wasn’t happening but then something happened – a dream came true.
You see, on my 18th birthday, many years ago, my parent’s gift to me was a trip to England to visit some of my relatives who I had never met, to visit the birthplace of my grandparents. Unfortunately, that trip never happened. My father quit his job, moved across country, started his own business and the money was just never there.
I have mourned the loss of that trip for 32 years (don’t do the math!) In fact sometimes I have done more than just mourn it, I have complained about it and felt sorry for myself that I have never been to England.
Now before you feel too sorry for me, I have kissed the Blarney Stone and stood on the Cliffs of Mohr (while my husband hung out over the Cliffs!). I’ve also stood next to and witnessed the amazing power of Igauzu Falls in Argentina and visited the breathtaking Macchu Picchu in Peru so I’m not all that deprived.
But I have never been to England. When my son was accepted to study at Cambridge University this summer I was thrilled. If I was never going to make it there at least one of my children would have the experience.
Then my daughter Cali applied and was accepted into a study abroad program over in London for this coming Spring – again I was thrilled and secretly a little jealous.
Well last Saturday my sweet family and dear friends threw a surprise party for me. It was a wonderful party. So many of my friends were there to celebrate with me that it made turning __ not quite so bad (I still can’t bring myself to actually say the number!!)
There were friends, delicious food and great entertainment. (For complete details and pictures on the party visit Your Homebased Parties!)
And there was a gift from my husband.
It was a surprise gift.
The gift was actually a dream come true!
It was a trip to England for 10 days. I will meet up with Cali after she finishes her studies this summer and we will tour the country (including a weekend trip to Paris hopefully!!)
So I guess turning 50 isn’t quite so bad (there I said it!!)
All of you out there that have been to England I need you to share with me your must sees! Where do we need to go and what can’t we miss??
More party details and photos here.
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Happy ___ Birthday!!!! (I know that number)
Have a great day!!!!!!
Love,
LuAnne
Wow!! Happy birthday! What an awesome gift and to be able to share it with your daughter!! I went to Paris on my honeymoon:)
Happy Birthday!! What a wonderful gift. And even better as it was a total surprise! Have a great day.
Lisa in Texas
Awww… HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! This totally made me cry. So happy for you!
what a truly wonderful birthday surprise! Sounds like you will have great time and happy birthday! January birthdays are the best!!
What an awesome birthday! What amazing family and friends. I loved the theme and the entertainment….such a hoot. You look so great, Leigh Anne! You are a wonderful example of celebrating family and life. You’ll LOVE England. I hope you have beautiful weather and lots and lots of fun. What an awesome gift. Best wishes!
I’m excited for your trip! It’s always nice to see pictures of the reaction to gifts. Have fun! I can’t wait to hear about your trip, I’ve never been to England!
Oh, yay! What a wonderful surprise! And happy birthday…you deserve the best of days!
Happy Birthday!! Enjoy your day! I went to England in high school, and loved it! I imagine you’ll enjoy it more now, than we you were 18! Congrats!
What a wonderful gift! I have always wanted to go to England… maybe one of these days! Happy Birthday and have a fabulous trip this summer!!!
That made me smile! Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday, Leigh Anne!
Boy, oh boy! Can the two oldest Helms boys ever help you out! They went to England on a budget that would’ve made even the most seasoned traveler laugh, and had one of the best trips that some of those seasoned travelers said was better than anything that they had paid $1,000’s of dollars for…when you’re ready, we can set up a phone call between you, #1 and #2…
Are you going to be there during Wimbledon? Because they can tell you how to go for FREE or next to nothing…
Way to go, Jim
One more question… Does Jim have a name tag on because now that you are ___ you can’t remember his name?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEIGH ANNE!! WHAT A GREAT SUPRISE. YOU LOOK SO CUTE IN YOUR PICTURES. YOU LOOK A DECADE YOUNGER!!!
LOVE,
CINDY
I love it! I wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday–even though I don’t personally know you, I do love your blog and am often very inspired by it. I’m not even sure how I originally found your blog, but I have gleaned some fabulous ideas from you, so thank you for sharing so much of yourself here. Have a great day!
I lost my sister (who was 18 months older than me) to breast cancer right after her 39th birthday. She had always done the hard things first, so when it was my turn to go into a new (intimidating) decade and she hadn’t done it first, nor was she there with me, it was a particularly challenging day. I’m thrilled that you have such a loving and supportive family to make your milestone birthday memorable and happy! The way you interact together is such a joy to watch! Have so much fun. The only part of England I’ve been to is York, but they have the coolest Viking museum called Jorvik. Loved it. Happy Birthday to a stellar, beautiful woman!
That is SO COOL!!! My husband just booked tickets this morning for us to go to England for our anniversary in May….I am so excited!! That sounds like a great Mother/Daughter trip…some of my best memories were trips with my mom (I think you know her, Carol Rodda).
Happy Birthday!
YOU’VE HAD A BIRTHDAY SHOUT HOORAY! I WANT TO SING TO YOU TODAY! ONE YEAR OLDER AND WISER TOO! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! (can’t help it…I’m a sucker for primary songs
I’m so happy for you and your party looked fantastic.
Happy Birthday!!
Happy Birthday to you (cha, cha, cha)….. — sorry, I have grade-school age kids!!! Congrats and what a wondeful gift from your husband! I think Michelle Tachick and/or Nancy Smith have beeen to England, so they can give you ideas. Happy Birthday Leigh Anne!
Happy Birthday Leigh Anne and thanks for sharing the party details with your “friends”. You, of all people, should never be intimidated about turning 50. Look at all you have accomplished! You are an inspiration for so many and your talents are endless. What a great thing this Internet is…to think that because of you, your computer, and your selfless desire to share your gifts, thousands of women(probably men too!) have become better cooks, decorators, crafters, and more! Enjoy England, you deserve it!
Ha, ha David (David is my brother in law for those of you out there!) Yes, the memory is going but it’s not that bad yet. Actually we were all given Italian names for the evening but I can’t remember what his was. Mine was Leigh Anna. Everyone kept thinking they had spelled my name wrong!!
Awwww, this brought tears to my eyes!!! You are truly blessed! Happy happy birthday!!! Have a wonderful time on your dream trip!!!
Happy Birthday. What a wonderful surprise gift and party. Enjoy!
Happy Birthday!! My husband served his mission in Brazil and he always talked about going back and taking me to see the beautiful country. It seemed like there was never time or money to take that trip. A few years ago I started secretly saving for that trip. In April of 2007 I gave him an itinerary for his 40th birthday that was for a three week trip to Brazil. We had a wonderful time and are trying to make it to Brazil this summer for my 40th. Enjoy your trip.
Gayle already mentioned York, I second that….it is a beautiful place with so much to do…shopping, museums, great food (I loved the bakeries!!!). We were there once in December and it was absolutely beautiful. The lake district is also very lovely. The Yorkshire Dale’s, home to James Herriot, will be our primary stop on our next trip to England….not yet scheduled…just still a dream:-) We have had the opportunity to visit England a few times and I don’t think I would ever tire of it. Such a beautiful place! Please do get out of the big city of London and enjoy the picturesque countryside!
Happy Birthday!!! Hope your trip is lovely and very memorable for you and your daughter!
Happy Birthday! What a wonderful surprise
Just wanted to let you know I really love reading your blog and am so glad I found it!!
Happy Birthday Leigh Anne! Thanks for all of your inspiration and enthusiasm. May all that you give away come back to you ten fold!
You will love London…the museums, plays, concerts, cathedrals, subways and double decker buses are all part of the flavor. Don’t miss Harrods…there is no place like it!
On my first visit I realized that so much of it is familiar (but a little different)because that is where so much of who we are in America came from.
Be sure to take a day trip to Windsor to see the castle there. It is such a charming town.
If you decide to go to the London Temple like I did, be aware that it is not in London at all, but also involves a day trip!
Don’t be afraid of “50″. It is just the beginning of reaping the rewards of all you’ve given to your family and life in the past.
Happy Birthday! What a special gift, I loved seeing your reaction in the pictures, priceless. I haven’t been to England, but would love to someday. And how neat to spend it with your daughter who will undoubtedly come to love the country herself.
Happy Birthday Leigh Anne! It’s wonderful that your husband knows exactly how to make your dreams come true!
Happy Birthday Leigh Anne !!
What a sweet and thoughful husband you have ! I could see the expression in his eyes too when you opened your card… Looks like he was going to cry.
Very touching.
Wow what a wonderful Birthday sursprise! We lived in Wales when I was 12 (Dad was Navy), and looking back at it now, I loved it. The weather, eh not so. But you must visit some of the Castles, they are amazing, taste some local foods (I miss the curry chips/vinegar chips), pasties…there is lots on London, the Roman Baths was neat. The rolling fields are just beautiful also. Be careful if you drive, driving on the other saide is a little difficult. I would love to take my family there someday to visit. I have ancestors from England as well and my oldest Brother & Sister went to London Central High (USA school). What a great trip you’ll have!
Your cake looks so beautiful!!
Happy 50th birthday mom! Thanks for still being such a great mom despite being so old! Don’t worry we will find a great nursing home for you!
Love,
Clark
Your pictures made me cry! What an amazing present. Happy 40th Birthday!!! (sorry, I was never good at math)
Lisa in Nevada
What a precious birthday gift. Happy birthday!
I am crying too. How sweet. What a wonderful gift. So happy for you.
Wow! Many many congratulations for the birthday, the gift, and of course, for finding such a thoughtful husband. I have been to England twice now, and I cannot tell you how wonderful it is! I highly recommend visiting the National Gallery and taking a free (tips only) walking tour of the city. My husband and I did this and our guide was spunky, full of insight, and let his followers in on a lot of London tips (hot spots to check out, cheap nights at local pubs, etc.) Having taken both the big bus tours (the ones with an open second “story”) and the walking tour, hands down, the walking tour wins! Here’s the website:
http://www.newlondon-tours.com/
It is so fun to read all the posts about the Surprise BD party and the upcoming trip. Way to go Jim! Enjoy this special day and know you are so loved and appreciated all around the world!
Leigh Anne, Happy Birthday! I hope you have a great day.
What a nice party you had with your family and friends AND what a great gift from Jim. Love your pics from the party. The looks on your faces; especially yours and Jim’s as you received your gift made me cry. I’m so happy for you and hope you have a great trip to England.
I’m so jealous!
Not about turning__
just about the trip to England. Hopefully someday I’ll be asking YOU what the must-sees are! Have a fabulous time!
I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this amazing adventure than you! You better take a ton of pics! I don’t know what I am going to do without my Leigh Anne fix for 10 days though! Lucky girl! Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday Leigh Anne! Thanks for an amazing website!
I’m so happy you are fulfilling your wish of getting to England! My husband had the same wish/desire and was scheduled to go. He married me instead! I hope one day to be able to go to England with him!
Many Happy Returns!
Nancy
Happy Birthday, Leigh Anne!! I hope you had a wonderful day, and I can’t wait to hear about your adventures in England!
well hopefully you will see me there! (that’s the best sight in England). Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday! What a thoughtful gift from your hubbie. Those pictures are priceless!
Have a wonderful birthday….what a great gift..your husband gets an A+ in good gift giving technique…you deserve it and the photos are awesome.
January babies are special…My grandaughter turned 4 on the 3rd, I had mine on Monday the 4th I turned..ummm never mind, Susan Iida-Pederson is the 5th and now yours is the 7th….awesome strong women…we rock!!!
The best kind of present is not a thing, but an experience. That is exactly what your trip will be! London is my (and all three kids’) favorite city in the whole world. Knowing that you like pretty things, you absolutely must have high tea with your daughter at Harrods. I went with my two daughters last summer and I know we will never forget it. I also think Windsor is a day-trip you would like. Bath is even better. The London Eye, crowded changing of the guard, and Stonehedge you could definitely skip. One thing you ABSOLUTELY MUST DO is go see a musical. Better than New York even. I saw Les Miserables with Liz a few years ago and then last summer my family saw “We will Rock You” — truly one of the highlights of my LIFE with my kids and husband (dramatic but true).
We took the Chunnel to Paris which was fun and easy…. door to door service:)
I am so excited for you! Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday, Leigh Anne! What an amazing birthday surprise! Major kudos to your husband…what a great gift!! I love that your family was able to capture the surprise on camera.
Happy Birthday. How wonderful.
DID YOU KNOW YOU AND THE PIONEER WOMAN HAVE THE SAME BIRTHDAY? ( I think). She posted that today was her birthday.
Congrats.
Leanne, Happy Birthday! What a surprise to see that someone I come to admire so much shares the same birthday as me! Looks like you had a wonderful birthday as I did. Spent the eveing with my wonderful girlfriends.
Sorry this is late but Happy Birthday, turning 50 isn’t bad at all..and what a great birthday present..
Congratulations! On both the trip and the birthday! I also hit the big one this year, guess we might as well make the best of it right? Sounds like you have a wonderful adventure ahead of you – enjoy!
Best wishes,
Kristin
Happy Birthday! What a fabulous present. Like you, I have ALWAYS wanted to go to England, but for some reason, it has always fell through at the last minute… Enjoy your dream trip (as I’m sure you will) enough for all of us, and make sure to tell us all about it when you get back!
My favorite movie is 84 Charing Cross Road. Here’s a link to the story line based on a true story – it’s an absolutely wonderful film – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/84_Charing_Cross_Road – I watch it when the longing to visit London (England) gets strong. I have been to many places in Europe but not to Great Britain. Someday……
Happy Belated! Every time I read your blog it makes me smile. You are truly one of those people who makes the world a better place by being part of it. Thanks for sharing yourself with all of us.
Leigh Anne, We lived nearly two years in the Cotswolds and loved the area and the experiences we had there. As of 2009, I finally have all of the pictures into albums. I admit, though, that I still need to journal to count the albums as finished . I was also fortunate to spend six days in London with a friend in 2006. I’d love to share some of my favorites with you…like the Portobello Market in London, Kensington Gardens, Tetbury, Bibury, Blenheim Palace, Windsor…. Expect weather similar to Portland and enjoy every minute. If you haven’t been to Paris then you and Cali must squeeze it in. It is my favorite city. Have fun being 50! I’ll take notes, because I’m not far behind you.
Hi. I haven’t read your blog that much but your ideas for 2010 really interested me. I am nearly 48 and feel I need to grab life while I can. What a wonderful birthday present. I live in England and while, like everywhere, it has its bad bits, there are some wonderful bits as well. Visit the tourist sites in London such as St Pauls, Tower of London and Greenwich (visit this by travelling by boat down the Thames from Westminster) Don’t visit Madame Tussauds (a real rip-off) and enjoy tea at Claridges or the Ritz. Outside London, visit the Cotswolds, Lake District, Cornwall, Devon, Wales ( as said previously, the castles are great).
Too many places to mention and visit (particularly in 10 days) but just enjoy the history and beauty of England. Enjoy your holiday.
Yipee! seeing the picture of you opening your gift made me a little teary. what a thoughtful hubby!
Hi Leigh Anne,
I’ve spent the morning doing my blog catch-up and as always, I’ve found a lot to enjoy here. It’s wonderful about your upcoming trip to England. As an American who has lived here for over six years, I have a lot of opinions about what to see. (I live 20 minutes outside of Cambridge.) My strongest recommendation is, don’t bother with Stonehenge if you only have 10 days. It isn’t very impressive in person. If you would really like more specifics, please feel free to contact me. Thanks for the great site!