Happy Birthday To Me. I’m Headed to NYC.

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The title is absolutely meant to be read with the Happy Birthday tune. You’re welcome for humming it the rest of the day.

I’m 29 today. sigh. Last year in my twenties. What a – what an odd feeling. Like – I feel older than that. But then I can’t believe next year I’ll be 30.

That seems – surreal. I remember thinking 30 was REALLY OLD at one time. Like, gasp, ew, 30? O_o

Now, not so much. In my decrepit, feeble mind 30 is the new 18.

Or something.

Maybe the new 25. I was pretty dumb at 18.

So much has happened this past year. Since I turned 28 I:

• moved to El Paso
• went to San Diego for BlogHer11
• passed our 1 year anniversary of being sober
• went to New York for BlogHer Writers
• celebrated Bella’s second birthday
• got pregnant with twins
• celebrated 9 years of marriage with Sam
• went to Blissdom in Tennessee
• started working for Babble and Military Family
• lost Preston and Julian
• started our S. Korean adoption
• had a memorial service for our boys
• and now I’m headed to NY again for BlogHer12

So yeah. Lots happened this year. Good and bad. And as you read this, I’m either on or boarding a plane that will (eventually with 2 stops) take me to NYC for a few days where I can let go, cry, laugh, be hugged and hug, dress up, dress down, and just live in the moment of being with people who deeply get I love to do.

And can I confess something to y’all? (Oh, I’m using that word now. Yes.)

It’s a blessing to have the life I do.

Yes, a blessing. With all the ups, downs, and sorrows, I am still so blessed. I have a little girl who is healthy, a husband who loves his job and us so much, a cute home, I get to work from home doing what I love, I have dear friends, I get to travel to really cool places for both work and play, I have a supportive family, and I have a God that enables my heart to start to see the light in the darkness.

I am so blessed. So thankful that I was given what I have.

So here’s to 29. ::lifts sparkling cider:: May it bring a little more joy, a little less heartache, and no matter which I get, a growing of my faith in the One who gives it all to me.