Things I've learned, things I know to be true, and whole lotta nothin'...

In 40 years...I'm feeling nostalgic this week.  Like the end of an era and the beginning of a new one.  Like I need to go have my roots done real quick.  Like maybe I should do a lot of things different.  I think my next decade will be one of accepting my faults.

I have learned that patience are hard to come by.  It's okay to not act your age.  I have learned how to say no to my kids.  I like vampires named Edward Cullen.  The dollar movie is not all it's cracked up to be even though it's only a dollar.  I have the best husband in the world.  I am not sure how I got so lucky, but God and fate brought us together after 8 years of friendship, 2 years of dating and 14 years of marriage.  I have learned that being married to your best friend makes life way easier and way happier.  I have also learned that marriage takes a lot of teamwork, a whole lot of give and take and sometimes it's best to bite your tongue rather than say what's about to cross your lips!  I have learned to thank God every day for my Mom and to apologize to her every chance I get.  I have also learned that you truly do reap what you sow, so watch out.  I have learned that getting pregnant can take years, being pregnant sucks, giving birth is pretty easy (after the first one that is), and that raising kids is a lot harder than I thought it would be.  Being a Mommy, though, is the only job I ever wanted and it is the most precious job I've ever had.  I know that God intended for me to be the Mommy of girls, my girls, because I wouldn't know the first thing about peeing standing up and playing ball.  I have learned that 40 isn't old at all, it's a little wiser than 20, sounds more fun than 30, and it's right around the corner.

Poetry makes me happy; both writing it and reading it.  Barbie clothes laid out to dry on the bathroom counter crack me up!  I know I never would have made it as an elementary school teacher, which is what I aspired to be my entire life.  Instead, I take care of 1 person who really needs someone to care for him.  Caring for those who really need it is easy.  Having sympathy for those who bring the trials of life on themselves is really hard.  I think it is impossible.  Being grown up is not acting your age, rather taking responsibility.  Each time you buy a house, the mortgage gets a little bit higher.  Eight year old girls are competitive.  Who knew?  Four year old girls still have nap mat fits.  So do 40 year old girls, just not as often.  Sometimes the thought of one more chore is a chore to think about.  Mad Men is an awesome show!  Vacuum cleaners don't last long in my house.  The scent of lemon pine sol is much better than the original scent.  Having candles lit in your home is only for when adults are there.  Carpets should be cleaned once a year.  Toilets should be cleaned once a week or more.  Sheets should be changed once a week or more unless you weigh 40 pounds and sleep on 1 square inch of the bed.  Pets are a precious part of life.

I think it is hilarious when people pronounce words the wrong way and call things the wrong name.  You gotta laugh at something.  Being a smart-ass makes me who I am.  It's part of my coping ability.   I think that families should live close to one another.  Did I mention that I have an amazing husband?

It is very important to work as a team and listen to what others have to say.  Your way is not always the best way.

There are way more (hopefully) things that I have learned and that I know, but right now, what you see is what you get.  I do know that as I put my babies to bed tonight, I made sure to tell them that the two of them and their Daddy are the best people that have entered my life!

I know at 40 I am the luckiest GIRL in the world!!!