Birthday Joy

I have to say, even though I do a poor job of keeping up on Facebook, and even though I don't always know the point of trying to stay connected with more people than it's possible to do well....it sure makes birthdays really fun. :) Thanks for all the sweet messages on my wall....it's so great to receive bday wishes from people I don't ever get to really talk to. Facebook sure makes the day feel more special.

It's a beautiful, sunny, and warm (well, warm enough to play outside) day!! And Carter and I have had such a fun time. Today's episode of Disney's The Imagination Movers was even about birthdays. Carter keeps thinking it's his birthday again too. :)

As far as life in my 30s, I am still loving it. I do have to say that I noticed 4 big changes this last year that I assume are just a part of aging:
1) My skin has suddenly become very dry. Particularly my forehead. So dry that I sometimes have to apply moisturizer 3-4x a day so it won't itch or flake. Lancome counter, here I come. Or maybe I should start with Vaseline.
2) I am at the same weight as pre-baby, but everything continues to shift. I am certainly not as toned as I used to be, but I also just carry weight way differently that I used to. It's a little bit depressing, but I am not giving up on a return to bikinis.
3) The, ahem, monthly visitor, that all of us women groan about has decided to stay a few extra days each time. I tried to tell her that she wasn't welcome to stick around that long, but AF doesn't listen well.
4) While I do notice lines around my eyes, they aren't noticeable under makeup. But I never thought the lines and wrinkles on my hands would be the sure tell sign of my age. :) My new theory is that you can estimate a person's age based on their hands. I am not kidding. Compare the hands of a college girl and the hands of a 30-something woman. You'll see what I'm talking about.

I like to use my birthdays as a time of reflection. Here are some of the highlights I'll always remember about the last year:
- My first REAL publication (real meaning it came with a check) :) It was a devotion in The Upper Room.
- Scott and I completed house plans for the home we hope to build next year and live in forever. It was such a fun project to work on together as we dreamed about our future and our family.
- Carter learned how to say, "Wuv you, Momma." Love it!!
- We got matched with our precious daughter, Grace.
- I reached a new level of intimacy with the Lord once I fully grasped that his love is UNFAILING. Some lessons don't sink in until you're driven to your knees.

Scott and I do a mini retreat every January to evaluate, plan, set goals, and make resolutions, but here are some random hopes and goals for this next year:
- Write an article a week.
- Learn to use my new camera through some type of class or book.
- Develop some allergy-free recipes for Carter that our whole family can eat together (recipes that will taste good too)
- Work my tummy and get a six pack. :)
-Then get pregnant and carry the baby (or babies!) full term. (Okay, so that may not ALL happen before my next bday.)
- Enjoy sweet moments with my children because they'll be all grown up before I know it.
- Drop what I'm doing to welcome home my husband every day instead of being so focused on finishing dinner, laundry, or other less significant tasks.

It's been a joyful day, and I couldn't conclude without celebrating my mom, Mary Lynn. Now being a mother, I've learned that your child's birthday is a big deal for you too because you remember the miracle of the day you gave birth. It's as big a day for moms as it is for the kids. Here's to you Mom!! Thanks for giving me life!