another year gone…

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

I haven’t written anything in a while.  Sorry about that.  We were so busy moving and then I realized that I didn’t have anything I wanted to write about.  Guess the muse has returned.  Here goes….

Today is my birthday.  My 34th birthday to be exact.  Some people would rather have a root canal than reveal their real age but I couldn’t care less.  It has never bothered me and I’m guessing that it never will.  Truth is, I don’t feel much different than I did at 24 (except for the 3 little girls in tow of course!).  Maybe a little calmer.  A little more tired.  A tiny bit wiser.  But altogether not that different.  I still get carded buying alcohol.  A few months before we left Auburn I was in the Kroger buying some beer for Robert.  The cashier gave me a look like “I know what fake IDs look like and you’re not getting past me.”  After carefully examining my license she turned red, apologized and called me “Ma’am.”  But I digress…

Among all the birthday wishes, several people have asked if I’m doing anything exciting to celebrate.  I’m really not.  Robert is bringing home some steaks to grill, I made a chocolate souffle for dessert and there is a new episode of The Office coming on TV.  Sounds like the perfect evening to me.  I love getting dressed up and going out for a fancy dinner but in all honesty, that’s not a requirement for me to enjoy my birthday.  I would rather have pictures drawn by my children and extra hugs and kisses.  I have one friend who was determined to have 24 hours away from her children for her birthday.  She was so stressed out and exhausted from planning, packing and organizing that she didn’t get to fully enjoy her 24 hours.  I have another friend who checked into a swanky hotel overnight.  Unfortunately she overindulged at the mini bar and suffered the rest of the weekend.  Guess their plans didn’t turn out exactly right!  Not that I wouldn’t enjoy some time away, it’s just not necessary in order to have a successful birthday.  I’m not one of those people who is going to sit on the sofa and eat bonbons for my birthday or Mother’s Day and refuse to lift a finger.  (I don’t even know anyone who really eats bonbons on the chaise but it is the expression that came to mind!)  Life continues whether you like it or not!

Having just moved to a new state, Robert and I are still finding our way around.  We are on the lookout for a good babysitter so that when we have the chance we can go out to dinner and maybe even a movie.  We’ll sit a little closer and talk a little softer and smile a lot more.  The topic of conversation will wander and dance and eventually return to our children as it always does.  We will come back home feeling reconnected and reminded of our love for each other.  I know that is important to do in a marriage.  I also know that we will have the same result sitting on our sofa in front of the fireplace once the girls are in bed.  It doesn’t take much!

I am very fortunate for the life that I have and am especially aware of that this year.  I am so lucky to have a husband who loves me just the way I am.  I am the mother of 3 smart, sweet and beautiful daughters.  I have a supportive and loving family.  What else could a girl ask for?