Monday, June 23, 2008

A New Stage of Life

This week will mark a new stage in my life. There are 2 events that are about to occur:
1) I will be turning 30 tomorrow!! I know, I don't look a day over 21, but it's true :)

2) My baby will be turning 4 on Friday (you may not consider a 3 year old a baby, but he certainly is to me)!!

I realized a couple weeks back that when Jordan turns 4, he will officially be out of a car seat and into a booster seat. We have not been without a car seat in the car for almost 9 years. It is hard to imagine driving without it.

As I think about the baby stage definitely being over and me entering my 30's all in the same week, I realized that this truly is a milestone week.
I no longer can say I have 4 YOUNG children at home. In 2 years, I will have a middle schooler. Although turning 30 is not something I find difficult or upsetting, it is a little to sad to say good-bye to this stage of my life.

Although, I also look forward to what this next stage is going to bring. I will be doing a lot less spanking and a lot more heart to heart conversations. Soon, I will be having "the talk" with my girls (o.k., I'm not looking forward to that). Going to the grocery store, library, etc... is not a discipline moment waiting to happen. I can actually enjoy their company. I will be able to pursue my dream of becoming a doula in the next couple of years.

This is also a milestone month because we just celebrated our 10th anniversary. We are now in the 2nd decade of our marriage. With this comes such a sense of security in who we are together.

I guess I have stopped and taken some time to reflect over the past 10 years that God has walked with us as a family. I am thankful for all He has given me. I look forward to what He has for our future.
I know I will be able to look back at this week and month and pinpoint when my role as a wife and mother changed drastically. I know it doesn't happen overnight, but it sure feels that way.

31 comments:

Unknown said...

I am not sure why it makes me sad to read this post, this is a fun stage of life, and I am glad to be walking it with you!

Anonymous said...

Hey Cass! Happy, happy, happy 30th! Doesn't it feel weird to say goodbye to your 20s? I love you!---Emily P.

Anonymous said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you!!!!
love the picture of the family trying to have 'tude----thats the sweetest 'tude I've ever seen!
love,
lisa e

ps sore muscles stay sore longer when you get old, don't they?

Kelly said...

Happy birthday Cassie! I hope you are doing something special for your 30th!

Anonymous said...

Happy 30th Birthday, Cassie!! I hope you have a very blessed day. I remember my 30th birthday, nearly 8 years ago now!! I also didn't have any real difficulty with it. I was glad to be moving into a new phase of life. And now, with us moving to Florida, I know God has been preparing me all along for such a time as this. Thanks for your prayers.
Blessings, Pamela (from Oregon, soon to be Florida)

Laura said...

Happy Birthday!

Jen said...

Happy Birthday sweet friend! Love you, Jen

Lisa said...

Happy Birthday!!
You will love the next phase. Talking with your kids about everything is so valuable to them. Our children are 11, almost 14 and almost 18. The oldest is leaving for college in August. New phase for us!

Lisa Q
lifewiththequeens.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Great post about new stages of life... Happy Birthday!

Tiffany @ Lattes And Life said...

Aww, I was also sad to enter my 30s. It just feels different!! Happy Birthday!!!

And yes, your relationship with your kids DOES change as they get older...my daughter is 15, and our relationship is MUCH different now, but still just as rewarding as my relationship with my toddler.

Donna(mom24boyz) said...

I use to look at people over 30 and think how "old" they are, but then when I reached it I realized they feel just like they did at 18! I may be wiser in some ways, but I still feel like the same energetic, bubbly 18 year old at heart. Well, there are days energetic may not be there--but I still feel the same! It has given me an understanding that truly older people 60 plus and up must feel so trapped because in the heart they are the same as when they were 18-25 year olds.

My mom is a nurse and she has a soft spot for the older generation and she says it is because she knows at heart they are just trapped 25 year olds.

So I don't think you will truly feel any different, but you will have an understanding that people older than you are not "older" than you.

Happy Birthday!

Mikki said...

Great post!

Happy Birthday.

I remember this stage and time too in my life.

My girls are teenagers and now is the time I walk beside them instead of in front of them.

Each stage is so precious. Enjoy each one. And cherish the memories!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Cassie- Oh How I remember my 30th birthday it was 2 weeks before our wedding! have a great day and do something fun!!

Love ya-
Betsy

Anonymous said...

Where did you get the necklace?

Sunday said...

Happy Birthday to YOU! Happy Birthday to YOU! Happy Birthday Dear friend, Happy Birthday to YOU! Love you, Sun

Jennifer C said...

Happy Birthday Cassie! What a beautiful family God has blessed you with and they are blessed to have you as wife and mommy. Have a great week celebrating!
Jenn:)

Anonymous said...

Hey Cassie! Happy Birthday!! I guess this is quite the milestone month for you guys! Where does the time go?!! Hope you have a special day!! Love ya, Christie

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Cassie!!!! I have #40 creeping up on me soon. Steve gets there first though! Allison was born when I was 30 so you are way ahead of me.

Dianna M.

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday! Yeah, I left my 30s several years ago... my eldest will be 20 in two years!!!!!!!!!!!!! Enjoy the kids while you can, lol!

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday! What a wonderful reflection on the past 10 years. It only gets better and I agree with the poster that said you never really feel different inside yourself. Only the outward appearance changes. Enjoy this week!

Angie

Mom Knows Everything said...

Happy Birthday to you and your little one!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Cassie! Your kids are adorable. I love your new haircut! Hope to see you soon!

Niall MacC said...

Well, aren't you the popular one!!! Happy belated birthday to you and happy birthday to your 'baby'. (Where did he get those eye lashes?) Hope you both have a very nice anniversary and I think yuo all look good in the photos. Like what you said about less spanking and more talking and also what Donna said about being young at heart...
God continue to bless you all.
Ruth

Andrea said...

SWEET GIRL! The 30's are the best.
My Aunt Marsha told me this when I turned 30, and she was right.
I have loved every minute of it!
My husband says that he thinks women are the most beautiful in their 30's & 40's because of the confidence and life experience they lack in their 20's. I totally agree. So Happy Happy Birthday!
It has taken you 30 years to get where you are. You appear to have a wonderful life. If you think you do- Thank the Lord for giving you a 30th- before you blow out the candles!

A

Frugal Finds said...

Oh to be turning 30! I turned 41 this past March. Life continues to get older!! What a great looking family you have!!
Happy Birthday!!! and many more to come!!
Frugal Carol

Niall MacC said...

Hello again,
a woman from your Church visited my blog and gave me a very good idea on how to spend the Summer with 2 kids, without spending money. Her name is Dianna M. Will you tell her I said many thanks and that I will pass on the idea, and that I will be doing it mysself myself? Thanks.
Ruth

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Girlie! I'm totally there with you but glad you did it first ;) hehehhe

I'm so addicted to catching up with you and it's amazing to see you still my 16 year old BFF despite four babies, hubby and home 14 years later!!! it's just a number right?????

Love you girlie, neecie

lifelaughterchaos said...

i do have to admit that i too was a little bit in a funk for my 30th. i couldn't believe that i could ever say that i was 30!

and yes, you don't look a day over 21!

enjoy your special day!

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness, so many things to celebrate! You look great too! Happy Birthday to you and to your son and Happy Anniversary to you and your husband, congratulations on #10!

Homeschoolin' hot-rodders said...

Happy Birthday! I have to say..the thirties are awesome! You share a bngest one....my "baby" also just turned 4....*sigh*


Angela

Brandi said...

What? Did you ask for comments for your birthday?! Crazy! I haven't had 30 comments since I outed my adoption agency! ha ha. . yours is much less controversial!

Love you and glad you had a great birthday!

Bran