Turning 30

I turned 30 on December 15th. The Big 3-0! One of those milestone birthdays, this time leaving my 20's behind. It's not nearly as fun saying that I am thirty, rather than a twenty-something. 20 years old seems young with opportunities knocking. 3o years old seems...kinda old! I know, I know...30 is hardly old. But, it ain't 20. So, I have decided that 30 is the new 20. Still with plenty of opportunities and, in my case, certainly plenty of adventure to come.

My 20's brought me many blessings. A short list includes...

• A college experience resulting in great friendships, hilarious memories, way too much studying, and an earned college degree.
• My marriage to Brent on July 24, 2004. I married my love that day. At Last! We started our lives together. Our first year of marriage holds some of my most special memories of us together.
  
• A three-year Florida lifestyle. Picture it...two U-Hauls, a cat and dog in tow, and all of our belongings traveling south (and then north again).
• Buying our first home and settling in to a new life in Michigan. The midwest welcomed us home and to a new, lovely community.
  
• The birth of our daughter, Anna Marie. She is the greatest and most beautiful gift. After an exciting and thankfully fairly easy first pregnancy, we welcomed our little girl into this world and into our lives. And she has so blessed the last two years of my 20's....by making small moments amazing and by making me a mother.

And so, start my 30's. I am expecting again and am waiting patiently to become a mother to a new little life. Could there really be any better way to start? There is so much to look forward to. And there will be challenges. Including the goal of potty training Anna before June! And maybe a toddler bed for Anna? And learning to peacefully care for two children. And to still grieve the loss of my brother. To learn how to continue my life without Scott, to remember him well, and maybe try to make sense of it all.

I think I am up for the task of being 30. I had pretty fantastic 20's. I can't wait to see what the next 10 years will bring.

This December 15th was well spent and I enjoyed a very special birthday. I was greeted with a breakfast of my favorite bagel shop goodies and hot chocolate. And then a trip to the mall with Anna and Brent for lunch and a trip to see Santa. And THEN I came home to a surprise visit from my mom! She completely surprised me, which was so wonderful and special. We had a great evening and ordered in one of my favorite Italian restaurant dinners. I talked to my dad on the phone a couple of times and also received lots of birthday wishes from my family and friends. A great way to start my 30th year!