Today I turned 40

My good girlfriends from our days in Turkey sent me this shirt -- along with videos, an amazing Snapfish book, and a necklace. Truly, it made my birthday. To be remembered by people you love and receive hugs and cards from your kids, and be told that you matter -- truly, isn't that the only thing we really need on our birthdays?

It was fun to turn 40 because it wasn't just another birthday. It was a BIG day. I have been alive for four decades. And I have four amazing children (and of COURSE an amazing husband) to show for it.

(It was also fun because I have been doing a LOT better emotionally. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS!)

I will be going on a cruise with three great friends in a few short weeks to celebrate my big day. But today, I worked the farm. I actually made a big mistake today and as a result, I spent THREE HOURS unwinding some twine form one of our fencing reels. Not exactly great birthday material.

But I was reminded that this was QUITE a decade for me. During the last ten years, I:

• Had four children.
• Moved to northern Florida.
• Moved to Turkey.
• Spent a quarter of a year in Germany having Abigail.
• Moved to Portugal.
• Moved back to the States.
• Bought our farm.
• Started homeschooling.
• Said good bye to an amazing dog and added two wonderful dogs to our family.
• Had our in-laws join our life. 
• And of course, got to spend another decade with the love of my life.

Truly, it was a great ten years. It has been a great life. I look forward to this being merely a halfway point (and hopefully not even quite halfway) to the rest of my life. 

Thank you to all of you who remembered me today. It was fun to have a "big deal" birthday today and be remembered by so many people.

Thank you to everyone! Truly I am a blessed woman to have such a wonderful tribe of people surrounding me.