40 and Fabulous!

I case you forgot, yesterday was my birthday.  I know, I hardly mentioned it.  Sure kept it to myself these past few weeks!

I really had a great day.  Jeff let me sleep.  The crew made me breakfast, then church, a little shopping and dinner with the family.  I got some great gifts.  One made me jump up and down like I was five and just got tickets to Disneyland!  My dad got a picture and if it surfaces anywhere, I will pout.  

It was a perfect birthday full of family and cupcakes!

happymommy

The BIG 4-0

Today I begin the next decade of my life.  This is a big one for me.  Jeff and I were talking last night on the drive to my birthday dinner date, that neither him nor I even imagined ourselves as 40.  Not because we didn't think we would make it to 40, but because we just couldn't imagine ourselves as 40.  Well, here we are.  We are parents to two little children.  We are productive members of society.  We are loved by others.  More importantly we love each other.  Our marriage and friendship are solid and constant sources of joy for me.  Don't get me wrong, we have our issues.  Anyone who is married who tells you they have a perfect marriage and never fight are big ol' liars!

As I sit here on the couch next to Jeff while he watches one football game on the tv, and another one on his laptop, I marvel at the wonder of him.  He is passionate about everything.  Sports, music, his job and his friends.  But there isn't a doubt in my mind that the most important part of his very being is his family.  I never wonder if Jeff loves me and I know he always wants to make sure I am happy.  He is such a wonderful father.  He laughs and loves with abandon.   I am lucky, and I know it. 

happymommy

The outside, in....

Because this is the month o' happymommy, I have decided to write about the people in my life who are beyond important to me.  For the next twelve days or so, I will be sharing with you stories of those who are a part of my life, who make a difference, and who, for better or worse, have the "privilege" of loving me.  I will be working my way from the outside to the inside.

Let's start with my friends.  I have a group of them, some with whom I spend way too much time, and some whom I see rarely but every time I do, it is like we saw each other yesterday.

These people put up with my drama.  My happiness, to anger, back to happiness can happen at the speed of sound.  Yet, these people still love me.  Drama surrounds me, mostly of my own making, but still, these people remain.  

Because my family was so nomadic growing up and since I carried this need to constantly move and morph into adulthood, I have few friends from those times who are still part of my life.  I lost one two years ago, and that was heartbreaking.  I miss her.  I am angry at her to this day, but would forgive her in a heartbeat if she were to ever ask.  Tomorrow is her birthday and I would love to have her back.  I also have another friend from a past life and I keep up with her on Facebook.  I care deeply for her and her family.  There is another one whom I have known a lifetime but even though I never see her,  I consider her family!

 Poor Girl has known me since we were 13!

 

And then there are those that are in my life because of Jeff.  He came with about a billion friends and each of them I consider close friends.  They come with craziness and happiness. They give my family so much joy that when we see them, we embrace each second together.

Finally, we have those who deal with me weekly and even daily.  Maybe these friends don't know they mean more to me than I can express.  But I love them.  Each of them.  They bring me such joy and I am lucky to have them.

Friends...

happymommy