Finally 40!

This week I finally turn 40.  I have been waiting to turn 40 for a very long time.  I think  I have been anticipating this coveted age for about 12 years. The reason...? 40 is cool... 40 is grown up... 40 says... "I am woman hear me roar" 40 is no longer young... no one can call me a baby anymore... I mean... I'm gonna be 40 you know?  

Cool people are 40... really cool women are 40.  Women who are 40 seem to have found their voices... they are okay saying no, they say what they want, they know what they want, they don't take crap from no one!  Okay... so maybe I have built this age milestone up in my head just a little bit?  All the same... I can finally say... I'm 40!

On the other hand... I had this thought this morning.  If God gives me 80 years... I am half way done.  That gave me a very sad feeling of being on the back end of something.... like all the fresh, new, first time experiences are behind me... sniff.... sniff..... 

Naaaaaaa!!!! I still get to have Grand-babies!!!!! WOOOHOOOO!!!!!

Okay... all joking aside. I'm turning 40...

So... in the last 40 years, here is a list of my "so far" experiences:

I was born into a family that loved me

I have a Mom and Dad who love me and are proud of me

I have a wonderful sister, and 2 great brothers who supply me with adorable nephews

I have a brother in heaven who is waiting for me

I have been on 5 mission trips to foreign countries

I had a great experience in Junior High and High School with amazing friends

I have fallen in love

I had a beautiful wedding with aforementioned love

I have lived in 3 states (2 of which gave me snow!)

I had 3 beautiful, healthy baby girls

I have served in ministry, full and part time with my husband

I have had some amazing church families

I have been a theater teacher 

I had my very own herd of COWS

I have made Kindred spirit friends that will walk with me into eternity

I have met people whose stories have forever changed my life

I have laughed until I thought I would have a heart attack

I have felt joy straight from heaven

I have cried buckets and buckets of tears

I have felt pain I was sure would kill me

I have prayed for hours... no days...

I have witnessed miracles and

I have walked through valleys, mountain tops and deserts with my Lord

And just think.... this is just the beginning... because after all... I am 40 you know... :)