Thirties

On Friday I turn 39. As I enter the last year of my thirties I can't help but reflect on all of the changes that have occurred in me and my life.

I started my thirties in a new city and state, a thousand miles from our extended families. I was also VERY pregnant with our 3rd son. Maybe both of those things contributed to my rather blase reaction to turning 30. I figured I would freak out a little but not so much. (I anticipate a full freak out next year when I turn 40 LOL).

I've learned a lot in the last decade. Mostly about myself. When I first became a mom, I thought that if I gave my whole self to being a mom, I would be awesome at it. I stuck with this theory for a long time. It is a really crappy theory!

My "A-HA" moment came when Magoo was still a toddler. I went to the doctor and asked to be put on antidepressants because I couldn't get out of the funk that I had been in. She was very frank with me and told me I wasn't clinically depressed, I just wasn't making myself a priority in my own life. She recommended that I make time to workout regularly, treat myself to me time (a movie, a pedicure, whatever), and spend good, quality time with Mr. T. Best. Advice. Ever!! 


There are still weeks, months days that I forget this awesome advice.  Sometimes Mr. T reminds me with a gentle "You need to go shop or something" :) and sometimes I'll stop and think "What the hell is your problem?"  And then I remember...oh ya - I'm putting EVERYONE before me.  There is nothing selfish about making you a priority.

Here's another bit of unsolicited advice...make your relationship with your spouse a priority.  Go on dates.  Ask family to keep your kiddos for a long weekend and go somewhere together.  Put the kids to bed early and watch a movie cuddled on the couch.  Send a sweet text or voicemail to your spouse telling them you appreciate all that they do.  It doesn't have to be a dozen roses or a new car, just don't forget about each other in all the craziness of raising a family.