You know you're getting old when.....

Yesterday I kissed goodbye to my 20's. It was a good decade. I accomplished much. I graduated from college, served a mission, got married, bought my first home, had my first writing job, and gave birth to 3 children.

And yet, there is a part of me that thought that I'd be somewhere different by age 30. I'm not sure what, really. I guess I thought I would've made my mark on the world by now.

Just the same, it was a good birthday.

My husband surprised me with a new Canon Rebel XSI. Here is the first picture I took with it.



Pretty exciting, I know. You are all awed and amazed by my hidden photography prowess.

Adam spent the day saying "Mom, when are we going to wrap the rest of your presents?" I kept asking him what other presents, to which he would respond, "I can't tell you or it won't be a surprise." I don't think he understands that his birthday gifts come from the dollar store so I can give a lot of things to open for not a lot of money. Whereas my single was more expensive than all his birthday presents from all his birthdays thus far combined, so it was okay that I only got one gift. Even this morning the first thing he said when he crawled into bed with me for his morning snuggle (before running off to watch Curious George) was "Mom, we forgot to wrap the rest of your presents last night."

The evening turned into a slight comedy of errors. My sweet husband planned dinner and a movie but turns out the movie (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) was longer than either of us anticipated and the restaurants were all closed at 10:00 when the movie let out. But, not wanting my birthday to end yet we found ourselves at at a 24 hour Ihop at 11:00 at night where we were seated next behind a loud speaking slut. (sorry, that's the only word I can think of for her, and that's being generous) At one point I nearly asked if we could be moved but her date finally had had enough, too and said he was done sitting with her and so she left just before our food arrived. (And there was much rejoicing throughout the restaurant!)

And so I conclude my birthday post with a list of all the ways I know I'm officially old now.

1-All I wanted for my birthday was my house scrubbed from top to bottom. (wow! living life on the wild side)

2-My husband was home for the day and I was dying to spend the time running all my errands without the kids

3-It was a glorious gift to get a 45 minute nap in the afternoon

4-I chose to spend my birthday with just my husband and kids, no big party required or even desired

5-I willingly passed up birthday cake because I didn't want it to go straight to my hips. (okay, I had french fries and pancakes loaded with butter....so I didn't totally deprive myself)

6-I stayed out until midnight and am paying for it today

7-When going out with my date I wore tennis shoes instead of my 2 inch heeled black boots

8-I spent most the night snuggling, not my husband, but my croupy baby who couldn't sleep because he couldn't breath.

9-And I didn't mind

10-I could only come up with a list of 9

My husband reminds me that 30 is the new 20. So, here's to My Next 30 Years!

I think I’ll take a moment, celebrate my age
The ending of an era and the turning of a page
Now it’s time to focus in on where I go from here
Lord have mercy on my next thirty years

Hey my next thirty years I’m gonna have some fun
Try to forget about all the crazy things I’ve done
Maybe now I’ve conquered all my adolescent fears
And I’ll do it better in my next thirty years

My next thirty years I’m gonna settle all the scores
Cry a little less, laugh a little more
Find a world of happiness without the hate and fear
Figure out just what I’m doing here
In my next thirty years

Oh my next thirty years, I’m gonna watch my weight
Eat a few more salads and not stay up so late
Drink a little lemonade and not so many beers
Maybe I’ll remember my next thirty years

My next thirty years will be the best years of my life
Raise a little family and hang out with my wife
Spend precious moments with the ones that I hold dear
Make up for lost time here, in my next thirty years
In my next thirty years

~Phil Vassar