On the real deal ...

11-1-11

Was like any other day.  Except I turned a year older.

38

It's been a good year for me.  Some moments were happy, some sad .. a few surprises .. and a few disappointments coupled with pain.  I am grateful for each moment.  Because it means I am alive .. healthy ... and if it weren't for the unpleasant moments, I wouldn't be able to appreciate the spectacular ones ...

This birthday I am missing my youth.  And not my 25 or even 30 year old body.  That was great and all .. but this year in particular I am missing being a little girl.  I miss being a single digit.  Reminiscing with the other pea in my pod lately has reminded me of that little girl ..

Simple things ..

Like ...


Braided pig tail hair


Catching lightening bugs in the dark ... lighting up a jar .. with holes at the top


Laying in the summer grass looking up at the clouds making animal shapes ..


Holding a best friends hand ...


Telling secrets .. with hands cupped over the ears ..


Making forts ... and drawing rainbows and unicorns on paper as decorations ..


Licking the batter off the beaters ..


Giggling at a sleepover ... until mom yells .. then getting under the blankets and covering the mouth so it stifles the laugh making it even funnier...


Bubblegum flavored lip gloss ...

The innocence.  I miss.  But memories will sustain.

But this year ... at age 38 ... I plan on connecting with the other pea and re-creating some simple moments.  As adults.  It can be done.  It will happen.

On November 1st of this year ... I walked into my house and this is what Hayley masterminded with the boys ..

Homemade cards (which makes my heart happy) ... a little cake ... a pumpkin roll .. flowers .. and a couple of gifts from Hayley.  I have to say she's a thoughtful gift giver.  The first gift was a digital photo frame to keep beside my bed .. and a Brookstone warmer.  It looks like a kidney bean shaped bag filled with saline.  You plug it in .. it gets warm.  Mostly for my feet.  Because they get so cold at night.  Sometimes before bed I will sit on the bathroom counter, with my feet in a sink full of hot water. Like I said .. thoughtful .. she knows me.

A very awesome birthday ... a little wild .. and then a little mild.  And honestly ... the mild one warmed my heart.  A lot.  I live for these guys ... they are my center.

With birthday love,

Poppy