38 Years

Of course, the obvious addition to my blog this week is me turning 38.  And I am proud of the fact that I can stare at that number and NOT freak out!  But truth be told, there is no demonstrative reason for me TO freak out over 38.  I certainly don't feel a year older, I am lucky and blessed with good health, I have a wonderful wife and kiddos that I thorougly enjoy spending time with, I am very happy in my career and location.....nope, no freak out here.

We had a visit from my mom this weekend.  Just prior to her arrival, she asked what I wanted for my birthday...I got the distinct feeling she was looking for some sort of tangible answer.  I think I surprised her with my quick answer that all I really wanted was a date night with the wife, just watch the kiddos for an evening.  We don't have enough of them, but when we get the time, I still love date nights.  We had a great date.  I discovered a great new-ish restaurant in town, Hayashi, with incredibly good sushi (correction, nigiri...thanks to brother Bingo for the verbage correction), and great hibachi.  We also got to see "Life As We Know It" (better than I thought it would be, the poo poo on the face scene was a riot) while overdoing it on buttered movie theater popcorn.  A great birthday date, thank you honey!!

I guess my choice in birthday present from mom just about sums up where I am these days.  The tangible is OK, the occasional play-thing is nice and neat...but in all honesty, I'd rather just have time with my family.  I don't feel like I have enough time with them, you know the whole having to provide for them and all.  But I certainly take what I can get!  Few things make me smile like Taylor doing his best to explain to me what his Pokemon characters are and what they do, Cameron sitting and watching football with me asking every question you can imagine about the game (that's my boy!!), and Lauren sitting in my lap wanting to read book after book after book.  Few things are as good for my soul as these three wonderful kids, and I thank God every day for them....and just continue to hope I am doing right by them.  I'm trying, anyway.  Add to that my wife, Denise, who has blessed me with 10 wonderful years of love and family, and I am truly very lucky.

So no, no freak out here.  My first 38 years have been very good to me, and I will spend the next 38+ trying my best to be as good to my family as God and life have been to me.

And lastly, thank you everyone for the kind birthday wishes.  As blessed as I am in family is as blessed as I am in friendships, and I cherish every one of my friends.

So, onward.  We will see what year 38 has in store for us, and the march towards mid-life continues....we will see if the freak out happens then!