I am a sentimental girl.  No question, I have nostalgic blood running through my veins.  So, it is no surprise that I have thoughts of that nature running through my mind at this time.  Yesterday was my 40th birthday.  I am now a 40 year old woman.

That doesn't scare me or surprise me,  but I AM inspired by the number.  It seems as if I an now a TRUE grownup.  Like perhaps I can stop waiting for the REAL mom to show up, the REAL wife to step in, the REAL actress to start playing the roles I play, while this understudy part that I've been playing comes to an end.  I am 40 years old now.

My birthday, the actual day, was such a day of celebration.  I had the privilege of sharing my celebration with a group of close friends and of course, my family.  It was a glorious morning of laughing and enjoying each other.  I have the best friends in the entire world.  They are sweet, fun, helpful, beautiful, inspiring, and altogether lovely.

My friends are the foundation of my world.  They are who make my world solid, fun, and worth it.  I felt so blessed that they would come to share in the joy of my turning 40.  Along side my girlfriends were my daughters and my mom, as well as my hubby, son, and dad.  These individuals help  complete the picture of my life.  I am not an island.  I absolutely cannot take credit for any day being my very own.  Other than the Lord, the people that He has provided for me help make my days fun, creative, challenging, full of love and work and enjoyment. The fruit of HIS love, is my very own love.  

Over the past decade the thing that I have learned the most about is love.  Love can save you.  Love can encourage you.  Love makes you happy and can also leave you disappointed .  Love puts a spark in your heart, causes you to sacrifice time, sleep and money.  Love rescues you from sadness, and pushes you straight into the arms of the One who is the only one who epitomizes TRUE love.

People, human kind, cannot fulfill all that Love is supposed to be.  I am learning that I cannot hope too much in the human sort of love, but I can always throw myself onto the love of the Father.  This is what I have learned and pursued over the last decade.  Love.

And as I continue to grow, I have complete Faith that God will continue to grow me into the true woman of love He has planned for me.  I will be the Mom that He has designed me to be, with love.  I will reflect His plan as the wife that He wants me to be.  As a sister, a daughter, a disciple, a friend... with the Lord living inside of me, I will learn more and more, and live more and more like the person that I have been created to be.

Being 40 excites me.  I anticipate growth and humility and peace as the next decade reveals its days to me.    

Today is Meredith's 8th birthday. Few things are more fun as a family than celebrating one of our own. Such has been the case this weekend. Meredith has celebrated for a few days, some with just us, and some with friends. My Meredith is a precious, unique, and special little girl. Every day, she amazes me with her intelligence, her style, her maturity. She has the greatest sense of humor and she is such a ham!! Her personality has so much flair and she comes up with the greatest stories and phrases. I can usually (almost always!) count on Meredith to be easy.  Most days, she just goes with the flow. As her name suggests, she is full of grace. Honestly, she just couldn't be better named. She IS grace, and it was God's grace that Meredith was given to me. I am blessed abundantly to have given birth to Meredith 8 years ago. She is our gift of grace, and today we celebrate her. Happy Birthday, my sweet girl. My life became a better life when you came into it. I love you with my whole heart, dearest Meredith.   I am so blessed to be your mama.

My Dear Maddie - Every once in a while, a cluster of events comes along that gives one of my kiddos a chance to shine. That is what the last couple of weeks have been for you.  The light in your eyes has lit up my own eyes.  You have made every opportunity that you have been given beautiful and I am so proud to be your mom. 

I have delighted to watch you work hard on your wax museum project.  There was never a better Queen Elizabeth I, except for perhaps the original.

My heart just about burst with love at your 5th grade graduation.  You were so beautiful and confident as you walked across the stage.  I truly wanted to stand up and shout, "That's my Maddie-girl!!" The awards that I would have given to you weren't a part of the ones called out from the platform, but they are the ones that are even more important. 

If I had been given the chance, I would have awarded you for your kindness.  You show such kindness to your friends, your family, your teachers.  I also would have given you a blue ribbon for your laughter!!!  You make everyone laugh around you; your laughter is so contagious that other people just can't help themselves being happy when you are around.  If I could have, I would have shouted from the rooftop that you are growing in responsibility, that you love Jesus, that you are patient and forgiving, and that you always have a positive attitude.  You inspire others around you to see the good in life.  As you make this transition into middle school, I am so excited for all that is in front of you.  One of the biggest blessings in my life is to get to hold your hand and hug your heart every step of the way.  I love you so much, my sweet girl.  You truly light up my life.