I’m turning 30 this year. In less than two months, actually. It’s not something I’m really dreading, but it’s there. It’s a large, milestone birthday where I can either choose to celebrate or deny that it’s here.
Maybe it’s the looming 30th birthday or this stage of life that has me a little bugged. The stage I’m talking about currently is where life seems to be on hold as we wait for a house to sell. And I’m pushing myself closer and closer to God each day as I try to listen to what He’s telling me.
And there it is. Why is life on hold because of our house? Why aren’t we just living and doing what we want to do?
If the looming 30th birthday should tell me anything at all, it should be that this life moves so quickly.
And the reminder that this world is our temporary home, should remind me to stop wasting time. The promises of eternity with our Creator are much better than any silly thing I’m worried about here.
So why do I frown at each new little line I see around my eyes each morning when I get out of bed?
Why do I rub those little pillow creases on my cheeks and fret over the recent shift in my teeth? (Now, I give myself a pass on that one since I did wear braces for four years and really don’t want to ever need a reason to do that again.)
I’m laughing as I remember Truvy’s line from Steel Magnolias, “Time marches on and eventually you realize it’s marching across your face.”
But here we are. We’re getting a little bit older each year. Our boys look a little bit older every morning when we first greet them with a chirpy, “Goooood morning” voice.
Our days have reached an “ordinary” place, and I’m actually loving it. I have fewer stories to share these days of fun things we’ve done. And that’s okay!
We’re having fun, but it’s only the kind of fun that your people understand. Our stories are only funny to us. We’re the only ones that get them. We already have inside jokes with our children.
These details of the every day, ordinary events are the ones that stand out to me.
Every day I hold Hudson’s little hand as we walk to the car or inside the school building.
Every day Hayes gets a little bit manic and runs full force through the house right before bed. He screams wildly and loves it!
Every day we all pile up on the couch and wait for Fiona to alert us that Daddy is home for the day. Hayes is always the first one to the door and he immediately starts screaming to greet Todd.
Every morning Hudson sits at the table eating his breakfast, and when his brother comes in, he shouts, “There’s my Hayesy-boy!”
Every night Todd and I alternate which boy we put to bed, and we read the same books over and over again. Our boys react the same way each night to each story. It’s repetitive and it’s beautiful.
Every day at nap time, Hudson begs to watch a movie, and the answer is always no. But sometimes I let him curl up with me on the couch after we put Hayes down for his nap.
I won’t forget these things. They don’t all need a blog post of their own, but they might make their way into the baby book.
Because these are the things that matter to me right now. No drama. Not the typical excitement. I don’t have as much to write about. It’s just every day life as we all get a little bit older.
Bring on 30! We’re going to embrace the ordinary and enjoy just where we are right now.
And instead of wishing days away or waiting for the next big life move to happen, I’m finding myself wanting it to slow down just so my boys are still small enough to both fit on my lap at the same time.
Only you could reference Steel Magnolias in a serious blog post and it works perfectly. Cheers to 30 being the new black.
Ha! One of my other favorites is, “Weezer, you know I love you more than my luggage!” 😉
I will be 30 in April 2013 so I can identify with finding the new lines on your face. LOL I seriously do not know how I went from 21 to 30 so fast! I love those everyday things that happen when you have a connected and committed family. They are beautiful and fleeting, which makes them bittersweet.
I love that quote! Thirty is not so bad.
Life is about making those beautiful memories and inside family jokes and stories. The thirties are nice! And each decade, thereafter. Life is good!
As someone who recently turned 40, I look back at 30 and remember it like it was yesterday. I miss it and I don’t. I miss the considerably less grey hair, I miss being able to eat whatever I wanted and not have to work out extra to make up for it, I miss not questioning what I wear as being perceived as “too young” for me…just little things like that. It was a bittersweet decade for me. I started my 30s as a newlywed so eager to start a new life and a family. Then I went on the the darkest years of my life that included infertility, too many doctors, too many tests and the early pregnancy loss of my sweet first baby. Then things took a turn. Finally IVF #4 was a success and I had an amazing pregnancy, followed by the arrrival of the most beautiful baby boy ever. It’s been an adventure to say the least! We moved into a new home, in a new neighborhood far from our family and friends, but we have made new friendships — all 3 of us — that I am certain will last a lifetime. I will fully admit that I had a very hard time with this birthday. The possibility of adding to my family is pretty much gone and I am working on grieving that. But at the same time, I am content. I am happy and I am fulfilled and I truly believe the best is yet to come, for all of us, and I am just trying to enjoy it one day at a time. 🙂
Beautiful post, as always! (and beautiful picture of you and your family.) I truly believe that the little, everyday things really are the best and most special. I’ve been trying to really focus on and enjoy all the little things in life that end up making life so special – especially after the loss of a very close friend to cancer earlier this year. I even pulled over my car yesterday to take a picture of the sunset. My daughter was confused as to what we were doing, but enjoyed looking at the picture and talking about The beauty of God’s world with me. I hope your thirties will be as wonderful for you as they have been for me – it really is the best decade and there’s so much to look forward to!
I feel the same way about turning 30 – I’m ready, I’m happy, bring it on! I love reading the little ordinary moments that are real life – they’re precious.
Oh Erin, I love your heart. And boy can I relate… I feel like I am in this place so often in my life. Isn’t contentment, peace, and waiting on God’s timing such an tough balance? I hope He never gets tired of my prayers because I sure do send up a lot! 🙂
And, I feel the same way about birthdays and growing older… always a reason to CELEBRATE life and the blessings in it.
Love it! I love the simple things. Last night hubs and I were just reflecting at how content we are with our little routine and family 🙂
P.s those photos are gorgeous!
This is beautiful Erin–truly!
I feel like we are somewhat in the same place. Life will change shortly, but right now we are in a groove with W and I hope to always cherish these days too. Great reminder!
I love this, Erin.
After reading One Thousand Gifts, it really is the everyday ordinary stuff, illuminated with thankfulness, that becomes extraordinary and brings the most joy. Enjoy all those little sacred moments.:)
It’s funny how you can spend your teenage and early 20s waiting and hoping for that “wow” moment in life…and then when you have kids, you realize that “wow” moment happened when you sat in your mom’s lap to read a book, or took a family walk when you were a kid. And now we get to do it all with OUR kids. Isn’t life funny?? Like my mom always says…..don’t blink!
Wow, this is a great positive!! And it’s so easy to see how the positives far outweigh the negatives in life 🙂
We often take things for granted but wake up, smile and embrace the day!
Have a happy weekend x
I LOVE this post, Erin! I just turned 36 and life really is great right now! Gavin is almost 4 years old and baby #2 will be here in a couple of months!
However, I have been realizing a little each day that I am waiting for something to change in my life and I’m not exactly sure what it is, but that if it’s going to change, I need to be the one to make it happen. I don’t feel as content as you feel, but don’t quite know what it is that’s bugging me.
I love reading how you appreciate each little thing! It’s so inspiring!! Keep it up!
It’s wonderful finding the extraordinary in the ordinary. 🙂