A year ago, on my birthday, when I turned 29, I wrote in my journal about how happy I was to be living my life. Challenges, joys, speedbumps, blessings and all! I also wrote about how I wanted to spend the next year improving myself in many ways to enter my thirties feeling great and being my best self! I specifically wanted to be establish more consistent routines to strengthen my spiritual self. I also wanted to strenghten my self-discipline to improve my physical health (it's an ever-present desire of mine to give up sugar....but for some reason parting with this vice is hard)! There have been times when I have been in much better "health" in both areas so I knew the sacrifice it would take to strive for these goals. Somehow having three small children and a very busy hard working husband, the stresses of moving to a new state, and then moving again to a new city within that state, took most of my focus and my goal turned into more of survival than a quest for excellence. But because of this, I learned different things about myself and about my personal happiness that I didn't know were possible. I also felt more balanced in my heart and my mind than I have found myself to be in the past. So I welcome my thirties, I will embrace them, enjoy them and hey, if I can't get myself all together in one year, why not go for a decade?
I arrived home from Utah the day before my birthday. Joseph was still away for his work retreat, I unpacked quickly so that the house would be in order when Joseph arrived home and so that I could enjoy my birthday with a clean house. (Is that possible?) The day was wonderful! I woke up to sunshine and mid 70 degree weather. It was just one of those days where I felt happy to be alive. Occasionally I have days that really drag, but my birthday day was exceptional. I felt happy, free, bright, wonderful feelings. I love days like that! Joe arrived home at 4:30 and surprised us at Brynn's ballet class. We then headed to one of our favorite restaurants, "BJ's" and had a yummy dinner. Afterward we shared a yummy Pizookie! One of our favorite treats! YUM!
Joe had fun hooking me up with lots of fun, new running gear.
The little ones were so cute. They started opening every present even before they finished singing "Happy Birthday!" They were so excited about it all!
This is one of the cards Joseph gave me. It explains so well the way we feel right now. We have ongoing dialogue about what we want for our family, discussing where we want to settle down and establish roots. This card really represents the way we both feel.
The best present of all was being all together with my little family again. They bring me great joy!
12 comments:
Happy Birthday! I am not exactly sure when it is but I knew it was close to my dad and my brother's birthday's and their's are the
27th and 29th of November. I love the card Joe gave you. I made me teary. What a great present. You get so spoiled on your birthday. It looks like Christmas. I am gald you had a great day. You make 30 look good. :)
Love, Kristina
Happy 30th!! My 30th is in a couple of months. For some reason I too have been thoughtful on how I would like the next 10 years to go. So many things have happened in this decade that I can't even imagine what's in store. I'm glad you had a great day! 70 degrees sounds lovely right now. We are enjoying a beautiful snow storm today.
i was at the hospital today and someone mentioned what year they were born. i was trying to compare their age to mine and couldn't remember how old i was.
happy birthday amy.
Thanks for the nice comments. :)
Kristina - Joe gets carried away sometimes for birthdays and when they involve any type of outdoor gear, he goea all out. He has a definite weakness for outdoor/sporting gear. He always has and I'm sure he always will. I could tell stories about that one. :)
Jenni - Wow! When I think of it that way, alot does happen in a decade. I too wonder what's in store.
Amy - I had a year when I forgot how old I was. I was sure I was turning 27 and Joe informed me that I was turning 28. I was convinced otherwise. It creeps up fast.
Sounds like you had a Happy Birthday! I was very glad to see that 30th birthdays can be fun. It made me have a brighter outlook on my upcoming birthday. Happy Birthday! I love reading your blog and all of your thoughtful insight on life. It inspires me!
Happy Birthday!! My decade from 30 to 40 just flew by. (I think I am the oldest person, other than your parents who read your blog :).)
I am glad your day was so fabulous!
Love, Tif
I really like the picture of you and the kids, it makes your day seem like a perfect one. For me at least, I am usually the one behind the camera and so we have more pictures of everyone else...how fun to have this memory!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMY! What a party. And yes, wanting a clean house to enjoy on your big day sounds perfect, just hard to do!
Joe gave you some serious gear. Love it all. You'll be able to run for miles and miles happily now.
And the card was perfect. It's true, when you are with the one you love, you are home.
sorry, amy's comment was paul's. happy birthday...
Happy Birthday! I turned 30 last month - it felt so good. I wish you a decade full of happiness and growth - the same thing I wished for myself. Cute pictures!
Happy Late 30th! What a fun day! I think you make 30 look GREAT!
Happy, happy birthday, Amy! I hope you had a wonderful day. I didn't really have much of a psychological drama when I turned 30, and I hope I won't be much more psycho next September at 40; but I can say without hesitation my 30s were my best decade by far. Enjoy it—the best is ahead of you! :) Love you.
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