On getting older...

Today is my birthday. I am 28 years old. It seems weird to say that because that means I am almost in my 30's. I remember when I was in high school and I thought that people in their 30's were sooo old! Funny how your perspective can change huh? Back then I thought, "Wow your 3o years old? Your life is like half over." Now I feel like my real life, the one I am suppose to be living has just begun. Not like the time that I have spent before now hasn't meant anything, because I have learned a lot in my 20's. But, I love the feeling I get when I look into my husband or my two daughters eyes, or the feeling I get just on a lazy evening watching a movie in our living room of our little home that we remodeled together. There is something about those feelings that make me feel happy, at peace, settled, and very excited about what will lie ahead for our family.
Tonight my husband took me and our girls out to a nice dinner. We met his parents, his grandparents, and his brother's family at one of my favorite restaurants. It was just nice to sit and eat and visit. But, most of all I enjoyed not cooking or cleaning dinner up. That was nice!
My husband, (bless his heart...for all you okies reading this blog, you know what that really means) has this very awkward and embarrassing tradition on my birthday. Every year, no matter who we are with, big or small groups of people, he will go around the room and have everyone say something that they love about Shana. Kind of sweet, but embarrassing right?
I mean, come on, like anybody who is put on the spot like that is going to say, "Ummm...I don't know...maybe...ummm...well, I don't have anything I like about Shana?"
But, tonight, it didn't seemed so forced or awkward. I realized listening to Robert's family talk about me like I was one of their own daughters, and even though we are really different in a lot of ways, I know that they love me and appreciate what I give to Robert and their grand daughters. It was a nice gift.
My husband tells me I have a surprise coming up this Friday. Something just for me. So I will let you know how that goes after it happens.