Thoughts on 30

First thing this morning:

Me to Jake—You should get up with the kids.
Jake—Why?
Me—Because it’s my birthday.
Jake—Oh yeah.  Ugh.

At breakfast:

Jake to Logan—Go tell Mom “Happy Birthday!”
Naomi—Ah dAAAAAAA abble abble eeeee! (They were happy noises.)
Logan—We go fire station today.  Here yours hat, Mommy.

My own thoughts:

Prior to my run—Hmmmm . . . (I have no brain in the morning.)
While running—I look darn good for 30.  I feel good too.
Before showering—I still have zits.
While showering—It’s pretty cool.  30’s a nice benchmark, a good
        time to reflect on what I’ve accomplished so far.  2 kids, 3 
        continents, only 1 marriage!  1.5 degrees, 2.25 languages,
        many good friends.  Good physical and mental health.  
        Growth as a disciple of Christ.  Some pretty amazing
        experiences and lots of joy along the way.  I’m doing well!

        Somehow 30 feels like I’ve arrived.  Like I’m legitimately an
        adult.  It’s not a bad feeling at all.  I think it must be like
        getting your Ph.D.—the actual piece of paper.  There’s the part 
        where you work, study, learn and grow, but somehow none of 
        that counts in the outside world.  Then you get that piece of 
        paper and, even though the piece of paper in itself is
        meaningless, it provides that external validation.  30 feels like
        that, like I have something that I can show people that says “It
        doesn’t matter that I’m petite, female, young-looking.  You
        can start taking me seriously now; I’m 30, I’m an adult, with a
        brain (a good one).”  I’ve put in the work, now I’ve got the
        number to back me up.

Thoughts the rest of the day revolved around mailing packages, going to the library, getting lunch, naps, bike rides, diapers . . . anything and everything except that fact that it happened to be my birthday.

Final thought as I put this together—Hey, I’ve got a whole new decade to fill!   I wonder what kind of thoughts and adventures it will hold.  It’s kind of exciting!  Happy birthday to me!  (And thanks Mom, especially for the giving birth part.)