Today I'm 40

There, I said it. Out loud. Today is my 40th birthday.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/upload/80079699594834384_XtqMCJzi_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/upload/80079699594834384_XtqMCJzi_c.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.weddingrowcalifornia.com/wedding-cupcakes-california/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />And I'll admit I've been struggling with it, as an impending doom. Like it was some kind of label that changed who I am, or stuck me in a different category. That somehow the new decade meant I could no longer wear my hair long, my nails navy blue, or shop in the Juniors department <i>(okay, maybe I should give that one up...but it's the upside for having no boobs!)</i>. <i>"Forty is too old for that stuff,"</i> I was telling myself. <i>"Maybe I'm supposed to wear a one-piece at the beach?"</i><br /><br />But last night as I sat down to write this post, after an amazing weekend full of family and friends, love and celebrations, I had no feelings of dread or doom...only gratefulness for all the love and support I have, the amazing life I've lived, and the joy that still lies ahead.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/2462974767443669_YfhzfwLF_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/2462974767443669_YfhzfwLF_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.americanantiagingmag.com/aging-is-not-lost-youth/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Maybe I have more lines on my face, but that's from all the laughing...hard, snorting, pee your pants laughs. Yes I've discovered some dark spots, but that's because I love being outdoors and have been lucky enough to explore the world. The loose skin on my stomach? I have two beautiful kids who I was blessed to carry. Now the loose skin on my neck, well, that's just rude.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://slicedbread.blogher.com/sites/default/files/campaign_images/Sugarplum8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://slicedbread.blogher.com/sites/default/files/campaign_images/Sugarplum8.jpg" width="370" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://hisugarplum.blogspot.com/2012/04/growing-older-can-i-do-this-gracefully.html" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I hit the husband jackpot, there's no question about it. It's cliche to say you want to grow old with someone, but when faced with the reality of what that actually looks like, some people <strike>run</strike> turn away. But his unconditional <strike>blind</strike> love gives me so much confidence and security, and makes me excited for the future, no matter how wrinkled.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/141089400796658882_njBxhVx7_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/141089400796658882_njBxhVx7_c.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.someecards.com/someecards/usercards/1336434730531_4153704.png" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />I no longer think of 40 as a label, but rather a badge. A blue ribbon of sorts that I've made it through puberty, high school, the uncertainty of my 20s, early years of marriage, and my kid's preschool years.   And while <i>(God-willing)</i> I'm not in the twilight of my life, I have nothing but excitement for what lies ahead. Life just keeps getting better, and I think I'm getting better right along with it!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/upload/191473421627490491_Ox0ivA5D_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="327" src="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/upload/191473421627490491_Ox0ivA5D_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/upload/191473421627490491_Ox0ivA5D.jpg" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />But you can bet your boots I'll never give in to gray hair, my nails will be all the colors of the rainbow, and as long as my backside fits a Juniors size....I'll be <strike>squeezed</strike> in it! And I have a whole gaggle of lifetime friends who will be right there with me!<br /><br />And the frosting on this cupcake? Look who I share a birthday with....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8177913836/" title="hey girl by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img alt="hey girl" height="604" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8347/8177913836_cb908233ec_z.jpg" width="467" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Today I'm 40

There, I said it. Out loud. Today is my 40th birthday. via And I'll admit I've been struggling with it, as an impending doom. Like i...

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Happy Happy Birthday, Baby!

Today we're celebrating Mr. Sugarplum's birthday! It's a momentous occasion...not only because he was born, but for the next two months, he's a whole six years older than me. That's practically a generation gap. One adult and one senior, please. But I'll go easy on his advancing age, seeing as how my birthday is around the corner...and <a href="http://hisugarplum.blogspot.com/2012/04/growing-older-can-i-do-this-gracefully.html" target="_blank">it's kind of a big one</a>. Why is it men get finer with age?!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8023849723/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="john2 by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img alt="john2" height="547" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8450/8023849723_2e12f89502_o.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br /><br />Mr. Sugarplum possesses all the qualities God knew I needed in a man <i>(including some to drive me bonkers)</i>. He's one of those people everyone likes and opens up to, he makes everything we do fun, he works at being a great husband and father, and I think it's his mission to make me laugh every day.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8023849555/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="john4 by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img alt="john4" height="366" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8181/8023849555_c1fbb319fb_o.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br /><br />I shared some of his personal back story <a href="http://hisugarplum.blogspot.com/2012/08/making-difference.html" target="_blank">here</a> <i>(every comment on <a href="http://hisugarplum.blogspot.com/2012/08/making-difference.html" target="_blank">that post</a> raises a donation to the Alzheimer's Association!)</i>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8023848568/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="john3 by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img alt="john3" height="581" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8456/8023848568_14c6f566ff_o.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br /><br />Life is grand with him in it...and we are a lucky family to have him. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50491685@N04/8023849773/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="john5 by hi sugarplum!, on Flickr"><img alt="john5" height="366" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8452/8023849773_3afe76d258_o.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Happy, happy birthday, baby!<br />You're the heart and laughter of our lives!</span></span></i></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/174021973071568028_F9WSOmGB_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/174021973071568028_F9WSOmGB_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cocodot.com/shop/sparkling-star-birthday-candles.html" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table>Boston Cream is his favorite, so we'll either whip up <a href="http://hisugarplum.blogspot.com/2011/09/boston-cream-cupcakes.html" target="_blank">these cupcakes</a> or <a href="http://hisugarplum.blogspot.com/2010/09/git-in-mah-belly-chocolate-eclair.html" target="_blank">this eclair</a> dessert. Yum! And don't forget tomorrow is our <i>About An Hour</i> party...come link up all your easy, breezy projects we can complete in an afternoon!

Happy Happy Birthday, Baby!

Today we're celebrating Mr. Sugarplum's birthday! It's a momentous occasion...not only because he was born, but for the next two...

Read more »