39!

 

My self portrait at 39.

Thirty-nine.

Teetering on the precipice of 40.

It's an interesting experience getting older.  I remember my Dad saying to my Grandma Helen one day, who was in her 80s at the time, "There's a young lady inside those eyelids, isn't there, Helen?"

"Oh, yes."  She replied.

 That was really a learning moment for me.  One that I now feel I embody a bit.  I'm getting older, (not that I'm old by any means!  But looking 40 in the eye is a definite milestone!) and yet I don't feel mentally that I should be nearly 40.  Though I am noticing small things about my body that suggests I can no longer take health for granted...my hair falls out if I don't get enough Iron (I'm losing it again, to my dismay), my cholesterol continues to creep up and is on the verge of requiring medicine, after being nearsighted my whole life, I'm quickly losing my close up vision and it's harder to make the number on the scale budge downward...Some intentionality is definitely required.  And the need for that feels a little surreal as well.  Surely I'm not old enough for these things to be happening!  And though they are small things, it definitely suggests that I need to pay attention.

But there are things I really like about getting older as well.   The clear definitions of my values, and priorities in my mind and the confidence to live them out.  Feeling secure in who I am with little worry about what others might think.  (Though I do care about the opinion of those close to me whom I respect). And I just really like this phase of life.  I love the ages that my kids are at.  Though challenges present themselves, we are feeling more equipped for parenthood.  Dan and I have figured out how to successfully navigate marriage and are content in our relationship.  I feel grounded in my faith.  We have wonderful friends.  And despite the uncertainty that continues to plague other areas of our life...

Life is good.

So each day I step toward 40 feeling very blessed and happy with the life I lead.

I had a really simple but lovely birthday this year.

Dan got up and went to church with the kids, while Mom and I slept in after arriving home very late the night before.

Dan bought me this beautiful corsage.




After church, we met up at Hudson's for brunch.  Dan and the kids were already there and when I walked in they were all holding up signs that they made that said, "Happy Birthday Mama!"  It was so cute.

 

Though Matthew is growing up and is nearly 10, he still likes to sit on my lap.  He came to get a little lovin' during brunch.  I love his snuggles.



After we ate, we snapped a few photos by the Koi pond.

 

Kaitlin insisted on wearing this hat to church and carried this "parasol" around nonstop for days.




Dan asked me what I'd like to do for my birthday and I just wanted a lazy day at home.  Life is so busy and I'm always on the go, so it was a treat to just put on sweats and be at home.  The kids were invited to 2 different birthday parties this day, but we opted to give ourselves this day off from running around and had a family day at home.

We put a movie in and I sat on the sofa and worked on organizing the tens of thousands of photos on my hard drive.

Dan made beef stroganoff for dinner for me upon my request and then we opened gifts.  Kaitlin had been working so hard wrapping gifts for me.



She even decorated the bottom of the package with part of a Valentine's Day napkin.  :)



Inside one of the boxes there was this beautiful crocus.

 

The kids all made great cards and were excited to tell me all about them.

 

These were all the treasures Kitti gathered from around the house and wrapped for me.  So preicous.  Even spare buttons.  :)

 

Andrew worked really hard on his card and did some amazing writing.  I was so proud of him.

 

This is some of the best writing he's ever done.  I know he worked really hard on it, and that made it a special gift.

This photo makes me laugh.



It's just so our life.  Andrew wrestling inside of a blanket ~ Kaitlin in her silky pony PJs with her hat and the flower decorating the tea pot.

Matthew made me a wonderful card and gift as well, but sadly Dan didn't happen to have gotten a picture of it.
 
Mom thoughtfully brought a beautiful cake from my favorite bakery in Richland.  It was delicious.



Making a wish....



It was a quiet, and wonderful day spent with my family.