Thirty-One

Yesterday, I completed my thirtieth year. For some, this is a sad realization that they are growing older, but for me, dare I say it is a tad bit exciting? Not only are birthdays really important to me, but so is the new year that they usher in. I've never been one to feel 'old' as a new year rolls around. Never. Not even once. Because truly, I do not feel old. I'm only 31, for goodness sake! Instead, I feel a sense of nervous anticipation wondering what they year ahead will hold...how my children will grow and delight me, or what new adventures await around the corner. I wouldn't be honest if I didn't tell you that my 'sense of anticipation' didn't also encompass a bit of healthy fear of those challenges and circumstances that will grow and strengthen me over the next 12 months. For I know that those are the times that are the hardest to endure...the moments that chisel away at the parts of me God sees as unfit. But in like form, I also know that the pruning of my life and spirit is only to my benefit....regardless of the pain in may cause at the time. For the bible says in James 1:2-4 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking for anything." So, I look ahead at the year before me with promise, hope, excitement and even a bit of trepidation. I'm sure it will not disappoint.

So how did we celebrate the beginning of this new year?? Well.....we had made plans to spend the day at the beach, so in order that we could leave at a decent hour, Ty got up super early to prepare breakfast in bed for me. He set his alarm for 5:30 (what a sweet husband he is!!), brewed some coffee and got to work cooking me my favorite breakfast of french toast, bacon and fruit salad. He had instructed Luke the night before not to disturb me when he woke up, and together they quietly worked in the kitchen. A few minutes before 7, both my boys came to wake me, adorned with party hats, party blowers and a breakfast tray brimming with a yummy breakfast just for me! :) They sang me 'Happy Birthday' as I sleepily attempted to rouse myself, and then Luke sat beside me as I enjoyed my food. Ty had bought me a silly birthday ribbon to wear that said "Kiss me...it's my birthday" and instructed me that I had to wear it all day (which I only ended up wearing until we got to the beach!) :) When I came downstairs awhile later, he had hung a big 'Happy Birthday' sign and had cards from both the kids and himself ready for me. What a wonderful way to start the day!! :) I loved every minute of it!

We headed to the beach a little later than we had intended, and got stuck in some bad traffic before we even hit Yucaipa, which delayed us almost 45 minutes. Blegh. We finally arrived at the beach at 11:30, with hopes of snagging a fire pit for roasting hotdogs and s'mores later in the afternoon, but unfortunately, due to our late arrival, there we none left. :( So disappointing. The day ended up being a series of events that echoed our arrival, but despite it all, we made the most of it and had a really nice time. You know what they say about the best laid plans. That is how our day went. So we opted to stop 'making plans' and just enjoy the moments. The weather was phenomenal...sunny, clear, 70 degrees with a slight breeze! Couldn't have asked for better! We settled ourselves on the sand and spent the day running in the waves, digging in the sand and just relaxing as we had originally intended. Luke was SUCH a good boy and as always, delighted in playing in the surf and making creations in the soggy sand. He becomes more and more independent each time we go, and while we always stayed close by, he did just fine playing on his own much of the time. Ellie napped in the shade for quite some time when we first arrived, but by the time our neighbors Kristin, Bill, Emily and Adam arrived, she was happily sitting near the waters edge, grabbing fistfuls of sand and laughing wildly at her brother as he ran circles around her! It is a memory that I will cherish for a long, long time!

I have very few pictures of our day, unfortunately. I resisted the urge to lug my camera with me each time we headed for the surf. I wanted more to enjoy my day and take it all in with my own two eyes, rather than through the viewfinder of my camera. So that is what I did! And in my mind, the moments of Luke and Emily cheerfully digging in the sand, the fun conversations I had with my friends, and feeling of the cool breeze brushing my cheek as I snuggled close to my sweet Ellie are the ones that I will hold close. It turned out to be a beautiful day!

We lingered at the beach until sometime around sundown (I think it was 7:15 or so when we finally pulled out of the parking lot) and despite bringing half the beach home with them in their clothes, both kids quickly gave into sleep as we drove. We roused them when we got home, hurried them through a tear-filled bath (they were both so, so tired!) and once the car was unpacked, Ty cut me a piece of my favorite birthday cake that he had bought. He plopped a single pink birthday candle in the top and sang to me one last time as I made my birthday wish and blew out the flame. Of-course I cannot share with you what I wished for this year, but I can tell you that if the year ahead of me is anything like my day yesterday, my wish will be fulfilled. A year of promise, hope, adventure and some challenges to keep things interesting!