I'm 28 years old!

Today is my birthday! Yes, that's right world, I'm officially 28 years old. My sister asked me if I felt older and my answer to her was that I already feel atleast 10 years older than my actual age so while it does sound a lot older to me than 27, it doesn't feel much different.

I've often said that I have an "old soul" and I don't think that's a bad thing at all. I do think I have a good balance of acting like a Grandma and still being a fun woman in my twenties. Still, I'm definitely not like the average person of my age. With all of the activities that my sons are in I get to interact with quite a few other parents. I am always the youngest and usually I'm the youngest by a lot. Infact, one of the women at Matthew's bus stop says that every year on her birthday she turns "29" because she refuses to acknowledge anything higher than that. Let's just say she waved bye-bye to 29 long ago.

My husband is 2 1/2 years older than I am, so I get the benefit of seeing what awaits as the years start stacking up. I love watching stand up comedy and I can't even count how many times I've heard the joke that as soon as you turn 30 everything starts falling apart. Being a huge fan of stand up, when I kept hearing this joke multiple times from multiple people, it did send up a red flag that maybe there is some truth behind that joke. Well, I'm here to say that it's true! Within a month of turning 30 all bets were off between my husband and his body. It was as if his body had some warranty that expired the day he turned 30. I wonder what it is about that age that makes your body say "eh...I'm going to stop working now, enjoy!!"

Still, I look forward to the idea of getting older. I particularly look forward to how Matt and I will be as old people. I have a pretty good idea of what kind of "little old man" my husband is going to be and let me tell you, it's hilarious (just picture the most adorable old man you've ever seen with wild and crazy white ear hair that puts a carnival cotton candy to shame). I'm quite sure that I'll be the "crazy cat lady" and together we'll provide much amusement for our sons and their future spouses.

For now though, I'm sure even at 28 and 30 we provide much amusement for them already.

Matthew is 8 years old! (January 1st)

I was too sick to write this entry when I wanted to write it. This was actually the first year since Matthew was born that I was unable to stay up and watch the ball drop on his birthday (New Year's). I was just too sick.

8 years ago on New Year's Eve I went into labor with my first son. After a long and hard labor Matthew James Jr was finally born at 4:57pm on New Year's Day. I couldn't have asked for a better way to start a new year.

Our little family has come a long way in these last 8 years. It is truly amazing how fast time passes by when you have kids. It feels like yesterday that I was holding him for the first time in the hospital.

Matthew is growing into such a funny, caring, and smart kid. I always tell Matt (Sr) that both of our sons are the best of each us. I can definitely see that in Matthew. He has his dad's caring heart, my sense of humor, and he is just so smart.

I feel very lucky to have 2 wonderful sons that make me happy every single day. I am proud of them for everything they do. Being their mom is what I was put on this earth for and I feel so lucky for my family.

Happy Birthday Matthew!

My husband is 30 years old!!! (Dec 1st)

It's not quite midnight yet, but close enough! When my hubby wakes up tomorrow, December 1st, he will be 30 years old!!! I am most definitely more excited than he is. I love his birthday. I love that I get to make a fuss over him all day, tell him a million times how special he is, how thankful I am to have found him (not that I don't bug him like that every day anyways haha).

30 years old. Time sure does fly. We've been together through our teens, our twenties, and now here he is entering his thirties!!

I love you so, so, so much Matt. Happy Birthday to my other (better) half!

Riley is 5!

I can't believe it's been 2 months since I've written here. I didn't get flooded with any emails about my absence so I'm sure no one really minded ;-).

On September 12th (which it will be in just about 1 hour from this moment) my youngest son Riley will be 5 years old.

My due date with Riley was September 12th but I really didn't think he would actually come that day. I mean really, how often are babies born on their actual due date? I had been feeling really sick the night of September 11th and made Matt sleep on the couch that night, something I really hated to do! I just couldn't get comfortable and needed the entire bed to spread out and ease my pain. I woke up the morning of September 12th just a few minutes before 6 am. I'm sure for most people the first thing on your mind when you wake up is a trip to the restroom. If you've ever been pregnant you know this urge gets multiplied by 100. So, that morning as with every other morning for the last 9 months I got out of bed fully intending to head to the rest room. I put my feet on the floor, stood up, and my water broke. I ran (waddled) out to the living room where Matt was peacefully unaware of what had just occured. The day was finally here. Labor was easier the second time around because I knew what to expect and I kept telling myself that no matter how much pain I was in I could get through it and at the end I would have my beautiful son. Riley was born at 1:17pm on September 12th (a far cry from the 23 hour labor with Matthew!). He was beautiful. My kid's birthdays are the 2 happiest days of my life.

Now Riley is 5 years old. I love his silly faces, his goofy dance moves, and his funny phrases. I love how he writes his name with every letter being a different size. I love how he likes to help me make crafts and thinks I'm an amazing cook (I'm not!!!). I love how he loves his big brother and absolutely adores his daddy. I love you Riley, Happy Birthday.