The Beauty of Being 40

“Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.” -- Audrey Hepburn

I love this quote.  I am beginning to appreciate my age.  I never had that mid-life crisis (at least not yet), or depression about hitting 40.  In fact, there are a lot of things that are great about being where I am in life.  I feel like I am freer to be myself, because as the years go by, I care less about what other people think.  I wore a costume to our party last night.  I realized when I came home that my hair was a mess from taking my hood on and off all night, and that I hadn't freshened my makeup before the party, and that the costume wasn't exactly the most flattering outfit (I made a monkey costume out of a sweat suit).  There were lots of people there that I had never met.  There were probably a few who thought the CO's wife should be more dignified, or something.  But........I DON'T CARE!  I am who I am.  I have a great husband who loves me (and doesn't let on if I am embarrassing him).  And, I love to embarrass my kids!  While there are some things I would probably change about myself physically if money were no object, I am eating right, and I feel good.  I need to step up the exercise, and I know that would help increase my weight loss, but I am losing, so I am moving in the right direction.  Many years ago, I would be stressing about getting the perfect dress for the Marine Corps Ball (we have two to attend this year), but I haven't thought about it much, and it doesn't bother me to wear something I've worn before.  I sometimes wish I could impart this peace to my teenagers, who have drama nearly every day about friends, or their bodies, or their hair, or what to wear.  I remember feeling the same way and it is nice to be past all that.  Of course, I am not really past it because I have to play my part in helping them to resolve some of these issues.  The ones they want help with, at least!  I suppose life experience helps you to sort out the things that matter most, and those that just aren't worth worrying about.   40 is not so bad........

 

A Good Day

Today I was the mom I wish I could be every day. It's a good feeling. My house is clean (thanks to the cleaning ladies!), my laundry is almost caught up, the kids and I went to Tae Kwon Do tonight and spent some quality time getting exercise and learning a life skill. My high-schoolers are celebrating Spirit Week, and my oldest daughter and her friend decided to go as Lucy and Ethel for character day tomorrow. I live for this stuff! I rag-rolled both of their hair tonight, and they bought dresses and fake pearls to wear. I bought them fake eyelashes and bright red lipstick. They are clearly excited, and it is so refreshing to see the sunny side of the teen years sometimes!

Tomorrow my 3rd daughter turns 10. A big birthday for a military kid - she'll get her own ID card. I made 90 monster fingers (pretzel sticks dipped in white -for mummy, green for Frankenstein, and brown for werewolf) for her to take to school tomorrow in lieu of cupcakes.

Tomorrow night we are having a hail and farewell for officers and Staff NCOs. There will be about 100 adults and 70 kids in attendance. I am glad we changed the location from our home to the lodge by the base stables, especially since it is supposed to rain. I have planned activities and games for the kids, and I will be making two kinds of chili and hot dogs. Everyone else will bring food to contribute.

Timmy wrote an autobiography this week in which he had to describe his family. It was interesting to see what he has to say about everyone. He said, "My mom seems to be happy all the time". I was glad to read that. I am happy more often than not, but I do have my moments! I know that the key to happiness is being calm, and trying to stay on top of things. Flying by the seat of my pants is not working so well for me these days! Thank goodness my husband is home!

I know that after Halloween, the rest of the year will likely fly by. I am determined to be more organized in regard to holiday activities, and I plan to get a jump start on my Christmas projects soon! I know that I am not such a happy mom when I am stressed out! We will be renting a cottage in the Shenandoah mountains for Christmas week. My dream is to have a simple Christmas - one where we spend the evenings watching Christmas classic movies, playing board games, drinking hot chocolate, and just enjoying each other's company. The kids are growing up so fast - and with my oldest graduating from high school in 2008, I am not sure how many full family opportunities we have left to get away. And it is sad that we have to get away from home, away from computers and cell phones, so that we can have our kids to ourselves! And so that they can have our undivided attention as well. I am looking forward to it!

My head is too small for all of these hats......

My husband's battalion is in a period of transition.  We are losing one battery and gaining another, and our last one deployed will be back in a week or so.  Lots of moving parts!  Our Key Volunteer Coordinator, who has 12 years of KVC experience, is gone, since her husband moved up to Regiment.  She was wonderful (still is, we have a lunch date tomorrow), and I miss her!  Until we can get someone else to take her place, I am the acting KVC and Key Volunteer Advisor. As well as the battalion officer's wives' representative.  I have information I have to pass on to the other wives in the battalion.  Some of it is the same info, some of it applies to only one of the groups.  I am trying to be sure everyone is included and getting the right information.  We are planning a Hail and Farewell here on October 26th, to say goodbye to the officers and staff NCOs we are losing, and to welcome the new joins.  I have absolutely  no idea how many people we are talking about, but we are making it a family event, so there will be lots of kids, as well.  I hope it doesn't rain!

I am also the Thursday parent volunteer in my son's class, A bi-weekly CYO leader, and daily cook, chauffeur,housekeeper and homework helper.  And the night nurse when someone is up all night coughing.  And the emergency contact person when someone forgets to bring something to school.  Sometimes I feel like everyone wants a piece of me.

What do I want?  A nap would be nice..............

For Kiley

Your sister says you are spoiled.

Your Daddy says you don't like him because you cry when I leave you with him.

Your brother is the first to pick you up if I am not available, and will carry you around to make you happy.

You light up when you see me, and you kick your feet and your whole body responds with joy.  As you smile and reach for me, I know I am the lucky one! 

Sometimes that means that an entire morning goes by, and I haven't accomplished much around the house.  Sometimes I get frustrated because all you want is to be held and talked to, and there is always so much other stuff that I need to get done.  I had a light bulb moment  as I sat up in the wee hours this morning, holding you as you slept, because you awoke each time I tried to put you back in your crib, I felt a wonderful sense of peace.  You tucked your fuzzy head under my chin, and I could feel your deep, even breathing.  And I thanked God for blessing me once again with another human miracle.

One day, you will skin you knee.

One day, you will struggle with math.

One day, some boy will break your heart.

One day, I'll be up all night wondering where you are and if you are OK.

One day, you will assert your independence.

One day, you won't need me anymore.

For today, I will be thankful that I am the only one you need.

I love you, my sweet, sweet baby.

Competition

As you can imagine, living in house with so many people, there is always competition between family members.  This morning, my oldest was holding my youngest daughter, who was reaching for me, and my oldest said, "I was the prettiest baby, wasn't I?"  I said to her, "You were definitely the easiest baby!" and she was.  She didn't cry much, was content to play by herself, and ate and slept and did all baby things with ease.  She was an ideal baby.  Of course, after this interchange, the others who were also in the room at the time wanted to know what kind of babies/toddlers they were.  Megan was into everything.  I described her as the "most mischeivous".  Shane was content being the "drooliest baby".  When Colleen asked what she was, everyone said at the same time, "You were the fattest".   And she was.  We used to call her "Fatty McFatfat".  This did not make her happy, and she ran out of the room, close to tears, so I went to her and told her that, since she was my only breech-baby, she was closest to my heart before she was born.  That seemed to satisfy her, and she gave me several hugs after that so that she could hear my heart beating.  SAVED!..........until the rest of them come home from school, and Colleen tells them she was closest to my heart, and they all want to know what was most unique about each of them.  I guess I should start preparing.......................