“I smile because you’re my sister. I laugh because there’s nothing you can do about it.” ~Unknown
Happy Birthday, sis!
Be sure to wish the love of my life a happy birthday! Poor guy has strep throat on his birthday so it’s not starting out well for him. Head on over and give him some love!
As I celebrate the 4th anniversary of my 24th birthday, I thought it would be fun to look over the last year or 28.
Things I have learned:
- I will never stop missing my grandma.
- Love isn’t all you need—you also need a deep commitment to standing by that love through all the crap that comes your way.
- No matter how well you think you know your children, they will never stop surprising you.
- That’s a good thing.
- Taking time for me is not a guilty pleasure—it’s an absolute necessity.
- Needing time away from my children does not make me a bad mother (okay, so I’m still learning this one).
- Having a community—both here and in real life—is important.
- Merging the two completely rocks.
Things I have accomplished:
- starting a successful business
- maintaining my sanity (mostly) while leading a Brownie troop of 24 first graders
- stopping my mother-in-law from calling 3 times a day
- spiritual growth
- actually writing in my blog
Things I will do today:
- pretend to wear a crown
- pretend I’m not getting closer to 30
- get my nose pierced (If I write it down will that keep me from chickening out?)
- remind myself why I don’t want a tattoo
- have a nice dinner with my family
- eat dessert
- take a long bubble bath
My birthday is coming up soon! I love birthdays. How else would I get a special holiday all about me? This year, though, I’m feeling a little weird. Not sad, not really even nostalgic, just thoughtful. I will officially turn almost-30. Right now, at 27, I still picture myself close to 25, but next Saturday puts me over the hump and closer to 30.
For some reason 30 is the magic number for women to freak out about where they are in their life. I’m looking back on my life—at the decisions I’ve made—and just thinking. There are so many things that I struggled with at the time and thought I would someday regret. Oddly, I don’t.
I’m no where near where I thought I’d be at this time in my life, but that’s not a bad thing. I love my husband, my children, and the opportunity to care for them as my main occupation. I love my job. I love my life. It’s just not ever what I pictured.
Do I miss the big city condo I thought I’d have? Not really. I like my small-town house. Do I miss the career in architecture I planned and worked towards? Nope. I love being Brownie leader, PTO mom, and toddler-toter for my kids. Do I miss the SUV I always planned to drive and haul my blueprints? Okay, so that one I miss. I’d love to have something larger than my mid-size sedan, only now it would haul soccer equipment, food for school parties and sick friends, totes full of craft supplies for Brownies, and plenty of kids.
And that’s exactly what I want to fill my life.
How’s this for a Valentine?
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY HEATHER I LOVE YOU
This is the IM I received last night from my littlest sister. Never mind the caps and the total lack of punctuation. This is the best Valentine. It’s especially meaningful to me because ours is the relationship I worry about the most.
Hayley was 7 when I moved out. Seven. That’s the age my daughter is now. It’s so weird to think of how young she was when I still lived at home. She is obviously a completely different person now, and I struggle to know her. Being a teenager makes her especially difficult to know (and love).
Okay, I’m just kidding about that part (mostly). No, really. I love her to pieces, but I want to know her as Hayley—not just the cute kid sister I had before I left. I’m working on it. I truly think she’s working on it. Maybe we’re getting there. I don’t know. I guess the first time I think, “oh, I can’t wait to call and tell Hayley” I’ll know we’re there.
In all the madness of my Christmas drama, I completely forgot to relay fun bits from the holiday season. Today, I was putting on my new favorite sweater. The story surrounding it is nice and I am here to share.
My family and I get up the morning after Christmas, load into the car, and drive the 3 hours to my parents’ house. We were supposed to be there just long enough to drop off the dog and unload their presents before heading to my grandparents’ house. My little sister asks if we are opening our presents before we leave for lunch. Um, no. We have like 5 minutes.
“Oh. I really wanted to give you your present before we leave.”
Five minutes later, Hayley looks me up and down. “I really want to give your present now.”
“Ooh, new clothes!”
“I didn’t say that; I just can’t wait.” Right.
Enter my other sister. Hayley turns to her and says “Don’t you think I should give Heather her present now?”
Lexie looks me up and down.
“Fine. Just give me my present so I can change clothes for the fashion police.”
They insist I looked fine, but gave me my present anyway. It was a beautiful, soft off-white sweater. Which I was promptly instructed to put on even though I looked “fine.” Then we left for lunch with the family—chili.
You’re thinking this story ends badly, but—a true Christmas miracle—I did not spill anything! I was looking gorgeous when my grandfather announced we were each doing family pictures. That was when it was pointed out that we were all wearing the same sweater. Not the same sweater—because that would be difficult—but 3 different colors of a similar style.
Mom used to dress us alike when we were little. When did it become cool again?
And I’ll let you decide which is which:
- I got some “no” RSVPs today.
- We still have around 15 girls coming tomorrow night.