40 things for my 40th birthday

I’ve thought much about my 40th birthday. Those thoughts have mostly been reflective, led me down a path of nostalgia, and didn’t really even lead to me anything concrete. Greg and I celebrated life between our 40th birthdays this past fall. (Listen, it was a good excuse for a trip, right?)

So, anyway, here we are. Forty years. It seems like a worthwhile milestone. If you were on my porch, I’d offer you a piece of whatever birthday dessert I end up with, and we could talk about these things, things I’m thankful for, things that mark my life right now, things I’m remembering. There’s no particular order because rambling conversations are real life.

1. I’m really looking forward to going to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin in a few weeks. Jockey Being Family invited us to be one of the adoptive families recognized at its annual gala. We met the JBF folks in DC and I love how they support and encourage families created through adoptions. (Here’s more on that.)

2. I’m a summer girl. I don’t love sweating, but I love the pace of the season, being at the pool, and the longer days.

3. God’s taught me the value of seasons, though — both the ones on the calendar and the ones in our souls.

4. I make decisions fairly quickly. So does my husband.

5. I’m 64% extroverted, he’s 99% extroverted.

6. I like to analyze our personalities way more than he does.

7. Greg and I have been married for going-on 17 years. Most of the time we feel comfortable speaking for each other.

8. The first years of marriage were hard for me. We didn’t understand how to smoothly merge expectations, traditions, and assumptions. I was diagnosed with diabetes in January 2004, after almost 18 months into marriage, and that rocked our world for a while.

9. I wear an insulin pump and have since September 2011. I was nervous about always having it on me, but my doctor at the time said I would regret not replacing the shots sooner. My doctor was right.

10. I have a new diabetes doctor, an endocrinologist, who I adore. He’s from Guatemala and works in Madisonville, which is about an hour and a half away from me. I always learn something that has nothing to do with my pancreas when I’m in his office a couple of times each year. (I wrote about my doctor here because benches, or even doctor’s offices, can become sacred spaces.)

11. Turning 40 did prompt me to get a local primary care doctor.

12. I like going to the dentist. So do my kids.

13. I don’t really like exercising. I tried to like running twice in my life — once in middle school on the track team and several years ago as an adult.

14. When my two big kids were little, I was in a stroller exercise class and I loved it. We met at the park, walked and ran with our strollers, did stretches and using our stroller and park benches, and other cardio things with our babies nearby.

15. I do like to walk and talk with friends. Sometimes I will walk on my treadmill and read.

16. Giving and receiving experiences as gifts is my favorite.

17. Gift giving used to be my love language but as I’ve gotten older I’ve cared more about quality time. (I recently shared about that.)

18. I like medical TV shows, but I cover my eyes regularly when I watch “New Amsterdam,” “The Resident,” and “Grey’s Anatomy.”

19. I’ve never mowed the grass.

20. I made a turkey for Friendsgiving once. And I hope I never have to make it again.

21. But Friendsgiving is a favorite tradition. We’re going a decade strong. I hope it never ends.

22. Also Greg has shot some turkeys that are in my freezer. So I guess I need to fry those. Or he can deal with them in his new smoker.

23. I like to bake deer steaks. And my kids like to eat them.

24. I also learned how to cook steaks from cows in my oven. It’s easy and delicious.

25. I sound like a country girl. Maybe after living in the country on 100+ acres where I can’t see my neighbors, I am a little bit country.

26. I know for certain I’m a pool girl.

27. But I like to be at the ocean too. Although I’d rather swim in a pool.

28. Swimming was the only organized sport I’ve ever played.

29. I’m surprised by how much I liked our Disney World trip in 2014. Then we went on Disney Cruises in 2016 and 2018. We’re headed back to Disney World in October.

30. I like to travel — even with kids. Sure, it’s stressful sometimes, but we’re all better for it.

31. I like to be home too.

32. Being a lifeguard was my first job when I was 16.

33. I can’t believe 16-year-old kids are given life-saving jobs.

34. I did have to jump in from the lifeguard stand and help a boy to the side. He was more cared than drowning. But he shouldn’t have gone off the diving board.

35. Yes, I know. My 3-year-old girl goes off the divining board. I supervise; she’s part fish. And I’m not 16 anymore.

36. My first car was a two-door, hatchback 1987 Ford Mustang.

37. Until the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica I drive now, my favorite car I’d owned was the 1996 (?) Geo Prizm.

38. I don’t know how to drive a stick shift.

39. During pre-martial counseling, we did an assignment that had a list of chores and tasks and Greg and I individually said whether that was typically a husband’s or wife’s or shared responsibility. Driving was one of the tasks. I said shared; Greg said husband’s, which is actually what I wanted to put. Greg almost always drives when we’re together.

40. I’m happy to be turning 40. My 30s were my favorite decade yet, but I think there’s potential for even more adventures and joys in this decade.

*****

I’m celebrating with a fun giveaway on Instagram, so be sure to check that out before it ends Sunday night. {GIVEAWAY HERE!}