Over 30 League

So, it's official. I'm 31, and thank you all so much for all the birthday wishes. I wanted to share my day, since so many of you asked what I did. Well, I awoke early when Zachary woke up. I was hopeful Dan would get up with the kids so I could sleep, but he hadn't got home the night before until 1 am from a long meeting at work. So, I got up and started my day.
I was given many gifts from the kids of old toys wrapped up in baby blankets, and a beautiful picture of me drawn by Alexa (I was bald and looked like a giant smiley face with arms and legs). The morning proceeded by the phone ringing off the hook for various reasons. Next I paid the bills and got them sent off.
At 11am, I was ready to head to get groceries. The kids actually held it together for most of the shopping, but things fell apart at the check out lane. I realized I had forgotten my debit card at home, and you can only write a check if you had previously signed up for that feature, which I hadn't. So we had to put my order on "hold" and go and sign up for check writing. Meanwhile, the kids were restless and hungry and began fighting. I started getting the stares from people in line - you know the ones I mean. After we finally got out of there, we came home to unload the groceries.
My parents graciously invited us out to lunch. So, we threw the cold stuff in the fridge and headed to the restaurant. Very hungry at this point, the kids were ready to be served. We waited for 15 minutes before anyone came over. And they only came over because I complained to another server. So, we ordered, and 35 minutes later, we still hadn't got our drinks. At this point, Zachary is throwing the crayons, I had drawn every picture I could think of on his place mat, and Alexa is leaning against my mom looking like she's going to fall asleep. Another visit to the front, and we finally got served. Then it was back home to put Zachary down for a nap and finish putting the groceries away. Next it was on to cleaning up and getting dinner prepared. Then off to get the kids washed up and in bed. However, when I came downstairs after getting the kids to bed, Dan's mom had graciously went to the store and bought me a giant Carvel ice cream cake. That just made everything right for me. I settled into the couch with a big chunk of it and just smiled. Happy birthday to me!
So, I then began to review what 31 meant to me. I realized that if I was to play in a soccer or softball league, I'd now be in the over 30 league. Or, when filling out questionnaires I would now have to check the box to read 31-40. Or when calculating my BMI, the levels are bumped up because of my age bracket.
It made think that I am now into the next "phase" of my life. I reflected back on the past 10 years. My 20's. Ten years ago, me and the girls were celebrating my 21st birthday at Dick's Last Resort in Boston. I'm having memories of singing on stage with the band, and all of us having to wear embarrassing signs around our neck. Miss you guys! At 22 I got my Master's Degree and walked down the aisle with Dan. At 23 I got my first career job with my Master's degree. At 26 I had my first baby and left full time employment. At 28 I had my second baby, and walked with him through open heart surgery. At 29 we bought our first house. At 30 we watched Dan's dad take his last breaths, and I decided to dive into a new business venture. I feel as though I have earned my rite of passage into this next decade.
So, at 31 I am happy, content, in love with Dan, in love with my kids, and looking forward to what this decade has to offer to me and my family. I am stronger, more secure, more educated, more passionate, and know who I am more than ever. I embrace what the future has to offer, and no longer fear it. I can handle anything that comes my way. I am living each day to it's fullest, and trying not to miss a moment of my kids' lives. I cannot wait to see what my next ten years will be. Below is a good example of what I'm working with.
So, to answer all your questions, yes, I had a great birthday, and wouldn't have changed a thing.