Notes on 40

Today was the day. Kind of minimal and just right.

Backstory: My sibs and spouses and kiddos all get together every November for a long weekend at a gorgeous house in Mesquite, NV to chat and play and not worry that we can't get together for holidays. 2 Novembers ago I had a great time, then saw the photos. I was large. I decided then and there that not only was I going to get my physical act together but I was going to train. Train and work and be in better shape, so that over the weekend of my 40th birthday, I would go to San Diego and take surfing lessons.

I did a good job!

I lost a bunch of weight and toned up. I was full of energy and happy. By November of the next year I was just about where I wanted to be. I wore a kinda-clingy work outfit and heels all the way through the work day and on the 90 minute drive to mesquite. My family was impressed! I had biceps! I could walk for hours and not get tired! I could swim and swim and swim!

My husband was on board with the trip, along with a girlfriend who said she'd take the lessons with me. I love the ocean, I love water in general. I was pumped. I bought a surfing magazine and started emailing Southern California friends about good beaches, less populated and into surfing.

January first I took a test. In the middle of the night. Dumb me. - I'll share all of that another time.

So, the surfing journey took a hiatus and I launched myself into impending motherhood again, and waited for my 40th birthday. What would I do instead? It's kind of momentous you know.

Here's what I did.
1. Showered
2. Pills to stop contractions, and for gestational diabetes blood glucose monitoring.
3. Went to the Dr. for the second of 2 steroid shots to boost the baby's lung growth (seems I'm 4cm dilated and 70% effaced with 8 weeks to go).
4. Waddled into Target to use the ladies.
5. Waddled into Nothing Bunt Cakes just long enough to say "I know I'm diabetic right now, but it's my birthday and I MUST have the red velvet cake tonight! Oh, and look at that cute apron!"
6. Bed rested
7. Napped
8. Ate dinner (thank you Albertsons for your rotisserie chickens!) then red velvet cake while wearing my new apron (thank you, loving husband)
9. Poked my finger about 9 times.
10. Meds again.

My kids made me cards. Lara even made me coupons for a back rub, a foot rub and any chore. Sweet girl. My husband has been giving me gifts for 2 weeks because he can't stand to wait. (LOVE him)

Lovely, low key, family filled birthday. I'm glad I'm 40.

Seriously Old Birthday Greetings

My birthday is this coming Friday. I'll be 40. Pregnant and 40. Remember those t-shirts you'd see years ago that said "I'd rather be 40 than pregnant?" Well, I want one that says "I'd rather be Pregnant AND 40." I don't think they'll be very many buyers other than myself.

I've been on bed rest for - forever - it seems. I'm really active at church, being the Primary president (which means I'm kind of in charge of all the children's Sunday activities from ages 18 months until they turn 12) and I haven't been able to be there for 2 months. Bless the women who work with me on this, they've really picked up the ball and kept things going. I'm going to owe them big time.

Something else I really miss is taking the sacrament (kind of like communion) every Sunday. It gives me a chance to think about the promises I've made to my Heavenly Father, and the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for me. It's also something I've pretty much taken for granted all these years. But going without... that's a different story!

Finally, a couple of weeks ago some of the young men in our congregation began bringing me the Sacrament, in my home. They're really very professional about the whole thing... that is to say they're very reverent. I've seen these boys playing basketball, or coming home from campouts. Not terribly reverent, if you get my drift. But here, in my living room on Sunday, they take what they're doing seriously and I am uplifted and edified by their work. Bless those young men.

As it so happened, the entire Primary made me birthday cards this past Sunday - plus a huge, oversized card with their names and hands outlined on it. What a lot of work that must have been for the leaders! I was touched. When the young men came over to bring me the Sacrament, the youngest of them said "Oh, is it your birthday? Happy Birthday." I thanked him and then my husband chimed in "yep, she's going to be 27." I grinned at his joke and said "yeah, I'm super old" to which young man said "aww, you're not old until you turn 40."

Gee, thanks.