HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

As Joey asked, via facebook, "So how does it feel to hit the big THREE ZERO? (for the 7th time)" Someone once told me, on my real 30th birthday, that from then on when anyone asked my age I could just tell them I'm 30.  And if they ask when I turned 30, just to answer, "Oh...a little over a year ago." 

I remember growing up that my parents didn't really celebrate their birthdays much.  I don't know if they didn't want to, were just too busy, or if it was an aging thing or what, but I love how getting older feels - the confidence I've gained and the experiences I have had are great, not lamentable - although I will admit I'm glad to be through with some of those experiences!  So, I've decided that I'm going to overlook Joshua pointing out my gray hairs and wrinkles (yes, he does that ALL the time to tease me - at least I know when it's time to color!) and from now on I am going to extend my birthday celebration from one day to one week.  

It's LA DOLCE VITA, Baby!

Then again, maybe I'm just justifying that this year, with Joey gone, I started celebrating last Saturday and am still going...while the cat's away...LOL

Friends along the way...

Today, I had the great opportunity to get away for a little girl time with a friend - it rejuvenated me and it reminded me that even though I've moved a "couple of times" I have been lucky to have collected such good friends along the way.  Fortunately for us, we live in an era of internet and facebook and we don't have to lose those "friendly" feelings even though there are miles and many times years between us.  I know that I will have opportunities to meet up with these friends again through the years.  One of my good, longtime friends (I've known Raith since 2nd grade!) once told me that real friends never really have to catch up and get to know each other again, they just pick up where they left off - I have found that to be true time and time again. 

I look forward to picking up all my friends again here and there along the way...

Perspective...

Today, Joey leaves for 12 weeks of training in SC.  Just a few years ago, I would have been really dreading this separation - wondering how I was going to do it.  Funny thing, when I see all the amazing women around me doing not 12 weeks, but 12 months or more of separation I get a whole new perspective.  12 weeks seems like a blink.  

Surprisingly, I have come to see that distance really DOES make the heart grow fonder.  I realize that even when your marriage isn't perfect, it's pretty good - being separated reminds you of the good things...every day!  You rekindle the ability to appreciate each other and when you're together you don't bicker over the little stuff - it just doesn't seem all that important.  Even though, given the choice, you wouldn't choose to be separated, I am surprised that I have been able to find positive things about it and focus on them.

Of course, in a few days when the kids are driving me nuts my "perspective" might change (-: