I'm thirty...

I turned the big 3-0. And I don't feel any older. I know for many people, thirty is a huge deal. They feel like they've suddenly come face to face with how old they really are.

I guess I already have.

Seriously. I spend most of my days taking care of my kids, one of whom will be heading to kindergarten next year. I find the occasional gray hair and the not so occasional "smile line." Some mornings my legs or back are really stiff when I get out of bed. And after two kids, one who joined us via c-section, well... let's just say I definitely don't feel like I have the body of a twenty-something anymore.

So, I guess thirty didn't really sneak up on me.

That, or I just haven't really thought about it much yet. I mean, I am terrible at getting stuck in time warps. To me, Snapple will always be "that cool new drink with the lady answering questions on the commericals." Seattle grunge rock will never belong on a classic station. A part of me will always think that black hats with huge flower pins on big hair (a la Debbie Gibson) is a good look. There are kids I taught in VBS years ago who are in college- Yeah, college- and to me, they are still sometimes that kid from my little four-year-old class. Often my hubby & I will read an article about something and think "that wasn't that long ago, only 1995." And then we realize 1995 was almost fifteen years ago, which is, in fact, classified as that long ago to most people.

So maybe thirty will still creep up to surprise me with a reality check in the next few weeks.

I was surprised by my husband, who brought flowers and Gigi's cupcakes to work. And by one super cool person (and an accomplice, perhaps?) who sent me a big box of sentimental candy from Old Time Candy Company. And other birthday greetings, including a really special book from my dad.




We had yummy Italian food at a local restaurant where you eat free on your birthday. The girls were great even though it was a late dinner. They even gave me one last gift and fell asleep on the way home.

Happy Birthday to me.