Fab At 40!

I had a birthday.

Another one.

And not just ANY birthday.

A big one.

A milestone one.

One that many people hide from.

One that many get depressed about.

When I first thought about the actual number, I didn't really like it.

But then, it hit me.

Just like everyone says...

"Age is just a number".

Really...

That's all it is.

So I've been around forty years.

So I've celebrated forty times on February 6.

I quickly decided it was nothing to be upset over.

First they said, "Thirty is the new twenty".

Now they say, "Forty is the new thirty".

Honestly, I don't care what is new.

What I do know...

Is...

That I'm LOVING this stage of my life.

So why fret?

I decided I'd make a list of some of the things that are absolutely awesome about being forty and being in this stage of life.

Here goes:

1.  MY KIDS

-No more night time feedings!  (They can actually make a meal on their own now!)

-No more potty training!  (Hallelujah, doing the happy ECSTATIC dance!  Thank you God we're past that!)

-No more monsters in the closet or under the bed. (They are so busy with homework and activities, they're out the minute their heads hit the pillows!)

-No more waking me up early on the weekends.  (They sleep in too!  And when they do wake up, they make a bowl of cereal and watch tv and I get to keep sleeping!)

-Watching them excel and grow in many ways. (Baseball, basketball, marching band, Royal Rangers, campouts, friends' houses, girlfriends)

2. MY HUSBAND

-After 18+ years of marriage, we're comfortable with each other. (Yes we burp, pass gas, yell, cry, argue, and see each other at our complete worst.)

-We are completely commited to each other.  (We've had "experiences" that have tested each other...but we both realize that we have made a vow before God and to each other that we are "LIFERS" and it just gets better with time.)

3.  MY FRIENDS

-After so many failed friendships, friends who have passed away, friends who have moved away, friends who enjoy a "one-way friendship", and friends of convenience...I have learned that there are VERY FEW TRUE FRIENDS in life.  (I thank God for my husband, my best friend who has always had my back no matter what.  And for a few tried and true relationships that He has brought into my life who are always there for me, at my best and worst!)

4.  MYSELF

-After struggling for so many years growing up with self-esteem and never feeling good enough, pretty enough, or smart enough...God has finally taught me that I am made in HIS image...and who am I to question that?  By questioning how HE made me, it's almost a slap in the face!  HE created me just the way HE wanted me! 

HE gave me the looks I have. (I am not ugly!)

HE gave me the intelligence I have.  (I am not dumb!)
HE gave me the talent I have.  (I am talented!)

I AM GOOD ENOUGH!

He helps me daily with my imperfections and struggles, but He also shows me that I do have purpose!

See!

That's a pretty good list of things I have goin' for me at forty!

At least I think so!

Naturally, I'm not giving in to Mother Nature and will "help" her as much as I can, LOL!

I tend to take after my Grandma M. in denying that I'm "old" and fighting it gracefully every step of the way.  Teehee!

Grandma colored her hair until she was too sick to do it anymore...as will I!

Grandma always had make-up on until she was too sick to do it anymore...as will I!

Grandma always swore by certain soaps and creams...as will I!

Nothing wrong with LOOKING GOOD as we age!

You hear people say, "Oh to be back in high school again!"

NO THANK-YOU!

"Oh to have babies again!"

NO THANK-YOU!

I am very happy where I'm at right now! 
It's a good place.

Each milestone of our life is good.

God has good things in each phase of life for us.

We will go through trials and tests as well.

But in the end, if we're serving Him...we always come out stronger!

And so to this birthday, I say...

You don't scare me!

I'm not depressed!

Because...

I

AM

FAB

AT 40

!!!