turning 40!

I have been saying I am turning 40 for awhile, I am sure so I get used to it slowly. I was doing okay about it and then I read a friend's blog (hi Kris) that had a 40 countdown of things she wanted to do. Of course, I thought, "oh no, I don't have my countdown. What can I try to accomplish in 5 days." (ha ha, my birthday is Sunday)

Heather, my sister, and I talked about it and had some good thoughts about turning 40 and some funny ones. So this blog is dedicated to my sisters.

40 Things I want to do before I turn 40..this week (have done and and will do)
1. love my husband and celebrate how hard he works
2. love my children and not yell when one of them spills a protein drink all over my clean car
3. take them on fun outings like the beach, story time, and ballet class
4. do as many "under ducks" at the swings that they ask for
5. Have a Bible study in my house and savor the opportunity
6. get my guitar strings fixed and play b/c I love it and so do my kiddos
7. make the grocery store trip really really fun
8. with my kids make muffins and bread for my family coming and not worry about mess or time just enjoy it
9. Read my Bible and enjoy it not just get through it
10. jog!
11. dance
12. sleep
13. watch some really good entertaining tv and enjoy it
14. say good-bye to Oprah
15. enjoy school time with Deveraux
16. read some truck books to Anderson
17. read my favorite stories growing up to Deveraux
18. watch a sunset
19. water my garden and hope my gingers will grow
20. take some great pictures
21. breathe
22. pray
23. surrender to Jesus
24. clean my house and enjoy the process (a little)
25. hang something pretty in my house or arrange a new shelf
26. call a dear friend
27. call my great aunt because I love her
28. receive the Bergstroms with much love
29. be a blessing to my family
30. enjoy my Maui friends
31. read an old journal
32. make dinner (something that does not always come easy)
33. eat well
34. drink lots of water!
35. take a walk with a dear pregnant friend who is past her due date
36. love my husband
37. be kind
38. savor
39. love
40. Live in gratitude and thanksgiving to Jesus for all my many blessings!

I can do this!
You see these are all the things I already do and will continue to do. I hope I do them more mindfully which writing the list makes me see this and do them more fully. Turning 40 is important but it is also another day in a long line of days and I will just keep on keeping on. I do hope to pursue a few things like guitar, singing, and photography and that is good. I do think, have I accomplished what I wanted to? Yes, for today. I have loved, I have failed, I have needed saving Grace, I have the most amazing family that claim me as theirs.

I read an old journal last week where at 25 Andrew asked me if I wanted to go to Nashville and check it out b/c I had some singing dreams, so now I ask, "what if...?" I don't know the answer to that question, but I do know the path I am on is the path I choose and I stand in gratitude. I really cannot imagine my life without Deveraux and Anderson and for them I would not change anything.

And Andrew reminded me my life is half over, which is encouraging, a whole half, who knows what will happen!!
(I will let you know if I accomplished my list)