The BIG 4-0....

Yep, I am officially out of the 30's and headed into the 40's.... Today started so sweet with my two littlest ones jumping into bed with BIG birthday wishes. Braden and McKenna had such huge excitement in their eyes in anticipation FOR me. Then McKenna snuggled in next to me while I ran my fingers through her hair and gently tapped my finger tips on her forehead- oh those little moments....

Awwww...... 40. What does that number mean? I was really, really dreading this birthday. I know it's just a number, but 40 is a much BIGger number. Am I young or am I old? I didn't cherish 30 much either, but I was okay with 30 because I was a fairly new mother, and was in the midst of enjoying my new journey of motherhood. I had dreams of a family of 4 or 5 (all-together), yet ahead.....
And I was still carded at the counter when purchasing wine to make Martha Stewart's yummy "Bolognese Sauce". So I was considered "young"-looking, right?
....I could still sit with legs crossed on the floor and get up and not be sprung back into an awkward position in a shocking and surprised pain. Ooooo, so I was still "limber", right?
Hmmm.... And let's not forget that the size 8 that I was before getting pregnant was what I thought to be (at the time) "heavy" for me.... Maybe I can still wear a size 8 (in one brand), but there's excess baggage that interferes with the "comfortable" feeling I used to feel in them.

But if I look back in the last 9 years, soooo much more has happened. Yes, there has been schedules added, more wrinkles (yet the noticeable gray hasn't totally emerged!-shhhh Tammy), and a nagging "teenage" acne problem, no splits or high kicks in these legs, and few pounds changed-give or take- but my life is SO blessed with three little souls that dance around me day after day after day. I have learned so much without a textbook, I've met some incredible people, experienced places and things I never even thought of in my 20's. God is SO good. And as my sweet friend, Brandi, says over and over, "He is good ALL the time". Overall, He most certainly has been good to me every day in these past 9+ years.

But 40. What will the 40's bring to me? I certainly feel a "shifting" of sorts (and in more ways than one!) I mean, for the next 9 years, what will life have in store for me? 9 years. Yikes. It's amazing how fast time rolls after schooling, right? But it's even more amazing how fast it goes once your own kids are in school!
I don't want to feel older. I don't want to have to buy a size bigger. And I certainly don't want to miss out on any of the "little things" that matter most. But it's okay not to do the splits ever again. ;)

So a better way to put it is, what does God have in store for the next 9 years?? I'm not entirely sure, but I am feeling a calling... I am making the decision to pray every day about it, along with making other choices to be a healthier me- inside and out. I am currently reading (a non-artsy crafty) book titled, "Honor's Reward" by John Bevere (a totally awesome book). And I am going to give honor where it is due- to my family, my friends, my leaders, my co-workers, myself, but most of all, to my God. And I know He will give BACK to me mounds of blessings in return.

So, here's looking at you 40! A continued, yet slightly adjusted journey through a different set of numbers,
that's all.