I’ve felt like I’ve been 40 for the last year. My birthday just made it official. I love being older and feel grateful to have a mentality where I can embrace my age. Not sure if it’s a generational thing or what but I’ve earned every one of these years and I’m still getting better at this whole life thing.

I find I’m not as talkative lately. Oh I talk Neil’s ear off every chance I get…but other than that…here, with people at church, friends…I just have less I need to say. I smile and nod more and I’m really good at being the listener so many people need. I’m also taking fewer pictures. There’s less of a sense of urgency and more of a desire to just live in the moments.

So there is a whole story behind our weekend away. “Away” 20 minutes from home, and checking in with our girls a few times during the weekend. But it all started with picking Layna up from school and getting my car washed and vacuumed. My brother Bryan sent me chocolate covered strawberries which we all enjoyed. After the other two got home, we went and got take out so we could binge watch a show I’ve been dying to finish for over a year (we don’t have time for much TV). There was hotel breakfast with my best friend, a baby shower, swimming and more yummy food. And then home for my birthday dinner with everyone. I can’t believe I didn’t take a picture of my epic dessert…ice cream key lime pie (it was my own creation and a huge success, if I do say so myself.)