Thirty

I guess I might as well just get it over with: I turned 30 a few weeks ago. 30!!! To steal a line from a country song, "Remember when thirty seemed so old?" Well, I'm there now. I honestly didn't think I would have any problem with turning the big 3-0, but for some reason it kind of bugged me. Like the night before, I had this strange anxiety and tightness in my chest and I just wasn't sure I was ready to be 30. Ready or not, it came. Like a reasonable adult, I realized I was being semi-ridiculous and tried to narrow it down and figure out what was really freaking me out. 

As I thought about it, I reflected back to turning 20. I remember my 20th birthday well and I was so excited for it! I was so happy to no longer be a teenager. I was a lovely BYU co-ed at the time and it was just so embarrassing to tell boys (and especially their families) that I was only 19.  The moms would give a sweet smile, but you could tell they were really thinking, "This girl is just a kid. My son is dating a baby. She doesn't know anything about life and now she is here with my son. AAAAHHHH!" 

(Okay, that is slightly exaggerated, I didn't really date that many boys or meet too many families, but I do clearly remember being embarrassed about it a time or two.) Back to the point, I was really excited to turn 20 and felt like I was standing on the brink of something fantastic and just couldn't wait to see all the great things life had in store for me. My 20's were so good to me: I met Greg and fell in love, graduated from college, became an aunt, received my temple endowments, had a beautiful wedding, had our own apartment and a decent car, had a real career and a little money in my pocket, moved back to my hometown, became a mom--twice, and finally owned a home. 

As I was thinking about turning thirty and what I had to look forward to, I honestly thought to myself, "I will change more diapers, do more laundry, cook more meals, pay more bills, have more babies and put on a few more pounds....argh." I hesitate to even say that, because it makes me seem unhappy with my life, which I am not. I really am very happy and I love being a wife and a mom. My life is filled with good things and I experience genuine joy every single day, but I will be honest in saying my life is not nearly as exciting now as it was ten years ago...and that's okay. There is a big difference between joy and excitement, and I am mature enough now to know that I have been blessed with the good stuff. Excitement wears off and fades away, but joy is lasting and can be eternal if we let it.  

That being said, turning 30 just really wasn't that exciting for me, but it was good. In fact, I would go so far as to say it was great. 

Greg had put a lot of thought into making my day special and planned some fun surprises for me. A few of my favorites were these gorgeous flowers...

...and this beautiful jewelry box. Check it out! Greg made it and although he still wants to put a few finishing touches on it, I think it is perfect and I couldn't love anything more.

Greg's parents also watched the kids so we could enjoy a fun night out in Salt Lake City. We had a great dinner with Brian and Sher, explored the new City Creek Center, and saw a chick flick of my choice. Greg even acted relatively respectable during "The Vow" and only made fun of it a few times, so it was a success!

I have come to terms with being thirty and I have determined to make this the best year of my life. I am currently compiling a list of "30 Things To Do While I Am 30." I will share it once it is complete. This year is going to rock...bring it on!!!