30 is the new 29

Thirty. 30. Thir--ty. 

That's my reality. I'm a real life grown up now!

My foster kiddo turned 14 yesterday. I remember 14 like it were yesterday. If I let myself get lost in the past I can take you on a memory driven tour right back to my 8th grade classes, teachers, friends, drama and of course, boyfriends. But seriously, who wants to go back to being 14? 

Oh, don't get me wrong, I'd do just about anything for my 14 year-old body again (why didn't I appreciate it back then?), but the rest I could do without!

Fast forward 16 years. Sixteen? Seriously? Breathe...

That was 16 years ago? Making kites in Mrs. Olsen's pre-algebra class (I never did get mine to fly). Color coding states on my geography map in Mr. Busch's social studies class. Getting a referral from Mr. Busch for holding hands with my boyfriend in the hallway. Being elected to Student Government for the first time. Getting 14 beautiful red roses delivered to my school from my daddy on my14th Birthday. This stuff seriously happened like yesterday. Or maybe the day before. I remember it that clearly. Yet it was SIXTEEN years ago. That's just crazy! 

And now, I'm 30. A decade ago I was 20. A decade from now I'll be 40. I remember my parents being 30... and no offense mom and dad, but you were kind of old from my perspective back then. 

Here I am married for 10 years to an incredible man, mommy to the two most amazing kids, foster mom to a pretty darn cool teenager. And 30 years old. When did I grow up? Where did time go? How did my babies turn into grade schoolers? 

Is your head spinning yet? Mine is! 

All that to say, I'm looking forward to my 30's and to the decade to come despite the fact that I'm constantly reminded of how fast life is flying by. 

If I can make only one request for my 30th year, I'd like it to be this: I'd love for my acne to clear up (you know, since I haven't been 14 for a really, really long time now) before my hair goes completely gray. Is that too much to ask?

In all reality though, I am hopeful that this year will be an amazing one, though I'm intentionally laying aside my expectations of what I'd like it to be like. Don't get me wrong, I have some goals I'm striving for, but I'm attempting to releasing my grip on unrealistic expectations. 

I am 30 years old today. I wonder what God has in store for me during the first year of this new decade in my life? Here's to finding out. Ready or not, here I come!