thirty

In August both Bart & I said goodbye to our "youth".  We entered what many people call the dirty thirties.  How do I feel about this you may ask?  Actually, its not as bad as I thought.  There are definitely those moments where I say, "I'm 30.  30?"  How can I be 30 already?  I waited so long for that 13th birthday when I could finally get my ears pierced.  The car keys' jingle couldn't have made a more delightful tune when I was handed them on my Sweet 16, and I gained a new sense of American Pride when I was considered "adult" enough to vote at 18. Or how about the option of drinking alcohol at 21 and being able to rent a car at 25?   For my whole life I played, dreamt, imagined, envisioned, and so on as if I was 25ish and thats where I would stay forever.  Is that what many people do, or is it only me?  How am I past that coveted age already?  And is that the age where life really is the best and a person is at there so called peak?  I'd not only like to think that life just get better, but chose the attitude that it does.  Because really, it has to.  I have been given 30 years of life, and in those 30 years, I have experienced some of the most amazing life experiences: endless summer days of swimming in the cow tank and eating corn on the cob, countless hours of house & Barbies in the basement with my sisters, first day of school, accepting Christ as my Savior & Friend at age 6, High school graduation, college graduation, marrying my best friend, first professional job as a teacher, carrying and giving birth to our 3 beautiful children, moving to the beautiful mountain state of Colorado where we've had so many fun little journeys as a family, and much more.  No my friends, life doesn't peak here.  It just gets better.  Every birthday celebrated is a gift.  A gift of another year of life to live and enjoy with family and friends, but most importantly, another year of life to bring glory and honor to our Maker.  Lord, thank you for bringing me to my 30s.  Please help me live a life that is holy and pleasing to you.  Help me carry on an attitude of gratitude for where I am instead of wishing I would be backwards or forwards in time.  

We celebrated with just our little family of 5 on Bart's birthday by taking a day trip to Evergreen, CO.  Jude was only 2 weeks old, his first little trip.  We really did have a great time, and it was Bart's request to go here.  The kiddos & Bart enjoyed some lake fun, while Jude & I enjoyed the fresh air.

Bart outdid himself again.  He threw me a surprise party with all of our friends here in Parker.  I thought we were just going out to eat at one of our favorite places, On the Border, but friends, food, and fun were awaiting me there.  It seriously was one of the best gifts I've ever gotten, and I am so impressed Bart planned it all on his own! Thanks Babe! You're really the best!  What a great memory to have!