Over the hill?

In less than one week, I'll turn 40... the big 4-0.  I'm okay with that.   Really, I am.  People say it's all downhill from here, and I sure hope that's true.  Downhill is the fun part... I much prefer the downhill speed on a rollercoaster, or topping my street and turning around to see the sunrise and the downhill part of my run.  Downhill is where the excitement is - it's where you hold your hands high in the air and scream with enthusiasm.  So, bring on the hill!

it's an old picture, but so perfectly appropriate :)

With the big day so near in my sights, I am embracing it... and I plan to enter this new decade of my life with re-discovering and sharing all that makes me "me".  I'm not special, but I am unique.  God made me that way... He made each of us unique... and He intends for us to use that "unique"ness for His glory.  I have created in my mind a list... a "new year" resolutions, of sorts... ways that I can use my "talents" to glorify God and serve His people.  It's a long list, but as long as I keep God as my focus, I'm not intimidated. 

And while I really don't feel older, I am most certainly wiser.  I know first-hand that time really does fly... and that every second should be cherished, not squandered away.  I want to stomp in puddles and draw with chalk... and braid hair and paint toenails... and campout in the back yard and judge diving contests in the summer... to make frozen lemonade popsicles in paper cups and run through the sprinkler...

But I also want to take time to read a good book (first on my list is "Grace for the Good Girl" by Emily Freeman)... to finish sewing that cute apron for my sister... to organize my recipes and finish the cookbook I'm working on... to sip coffee and listen to the birds with my wonderful husband before the kids wake up... to feed my soul and to remember on a daily basis that in order to be the mom and wife I'm called to be, I need to take care of the woman God made me to be. 

My new favorite verse is Zephaniah 3:17... "The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save;  he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."  Love it!  Each day I cherish being quieted by His love, and in my mind I dance along to His singing.