So. Yes. ‘Tis true. Today is my birthday.
I’m now THIRTY EIGHT, my friends.
I am not sure how 38 is even remotely possible, especially considering that I am forever a young thang in my mind. In fact, earlier today I was referencing my age in an email, and I typed 28, and it took me a few seconds to realize no, that’s not right, no, YOU’RE OFF BY A DECADE, MA’AM.
I didn’t know if I was going to like turning 38, to be honest with you. My 37th birthday was a little rough for me because for whatever reason I always told myself that it was my cut-off for having another baby, so for the first half of 37 I felt like I had some sort of Major Biological Deadline looming.
And on top of that, I was surprised by how much I really disliked certain parts of getting a little older. I especially disliked the crater-size wrinkle in my forehead, and not even once did I look at the crater-sized wrinkle in my forehead and think, “Well, it’s a badge of honor; I’ve earned it!”
Instead, I looked at the crater-sized wrinkle in my forehead and thought, “I do not like you, crater-sized wrinkle. And if I were a Botox kind of girl, I’d take you out in a heartbeat. I might not be able to raise my eyebrows afterwards, but oh, I would TAKE YOU OUT.”
And while I’m at it, I’ll just go ahead and tell you that I also had some issues with gravity. Because gravity can be very, very unkind.
But about halfway through year 37, I hit a turning point. God started to open some completely unexpected doors, and after a few weeks of being scared to death about all the what ifs, I took a huge leap of faith and walked through them. The worry about my Major Biological Deadline gradually went away; I know that God knows if there’s another baby in our future, and right now, that’s enough.
And the wrinkles? Eh. I’ll just let the Hair Wizard make my hair blonder and sassier. Maybe people won’t notice the wrinkles as much if they’re BLINDED BY ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS.
I feel this is an excellent aging strategy.
So all that to say: the second half of 37 has been totally rockin’. Hands-down, it’s been the best time of my life so far. Even though D and I are in a little bit of a holding pattern right now as we wait on SOME STUFF RELATED TO SOME THINGS, I have never been more aware of God’s faithfulness and His provision. I have never been more certain that when He leads, I do not have to be afraid to follow.
That fires me up about 38.
And besides: LOOK! PRESENTS!
Also: how well does my husband know me, y’all? I mean, an industrial-sized bottle of great shampoo AND fancy new headphones? It is no wonder that we are married.
Plus, you know, THIS:
Finally:
Even better: HE’S OURS!
Oh, I love our little family.
And so far, 38 and I are getting along just fine.
Happy birthday, Boomama!
I’ll be creeping closer to my mid-thirties in December, and I have to say, the thirties have been the best so far!
Enjoy your day at “Steinmarts” tomorrow. :0) I, too, will be shopping in Big D, so I’ll think about you!
Happy Birthday!!!!
Looks like you got some great loot!
Happy Birthday! Rosemary Mint is definitely the best and oh sweet naptime…probably the best present of all!
Happy birthday!!!
You like high school musical? :o)
Have a great day!
-Tessa :o)
happy birthday boomama! I live in pelham i know you are from bham but wasn’t sure how far away you are.
Those headphones just brought a tear of joy to my eye. No doubt this week will be the best podcast EVER.
Happy Birthday!
Ummm…. How could you not mention that Beth Moore talked about your blog on her blog post about style!?! Jesus wants you to be humble but that deserves a girl squeal and Amen! Sleep tight with your fashion writing self!
What a great post. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, SOPHIE!
You don’t look a day over fifteen times two.
Happy Birthday! I’ve been reading your wonderful site for a few months now, but finally had to write when I found out we share a birthday…as well as a love of cute shoes and Aveda Rosemany Mint shampoo(the scent of which is better than a triple latte for waking up in the morning).
Hope it was a great one.
Happy Birthday Boo!!!!! What great gifts! U r loved!
And the nap…the best present a kid can give a momma!…especially on her b-day!
Happy 38th, Sophie. Hope we’re still bloggin’ away together for many more years.
Love and hugs,
Diane
shampoo and gadgets are my love language.
Happy, happy birthday! It’s so like you to tell us just before it’s over! Glad you had a good one. Believe or not, over forty is even better. I can’t explain why but IT IS!
happy Birhtday! I cant wait to hear the next podcast!!!!
oh honey, i hear you. i also had big biological clock issues in my mind about 37. (i am still 37 for a few more months). but then when we lost our baby early in the pregnancy this year, i was convinced my eggs were all going downhill. but like you, i know god has it all in his hands.
happy birthday! sweet families and naps, there’s nothing better.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
It seems you were showered with just the right gifts from everyone!
I have never tried Aveda shampoo. Never ever in my whole life. But rosemary mint sounds quite intriguing. I am, after all, a girl that buys shampoo and conditioner based on the scent and my mood. I was deeply disappointed in the lackluster performance of my economy size Nexxus Humectant conditioner. My hair is still UNsoft when I use it.
Hey, did you know Sam’s Club has 2 new Southern Living cookbooks out right now? I’m telling ya, they have THE best cookbooks.
Anyhoo, happy happy birthday to youuuuu!
Happy Birthday, Sophie!! Thanks for all of the laughs and smiles and thought provoking posts. Love reading your blog!
happy happy birthday!!
I too, am an October baby (the 7th).
Glad it was wonderful!
Blessings,
karla
Hey, I’ve got you by about 7 months, and 38 is okay. I have been blessed by your sense of humor, your faith, and your wit since a month after I turned 38; life is good.
So glad you had a great birthday!
Happy Birthday! My daughter Sophia’s 5th birthday is OCT. 4th (tomorrow)—so, another Sophie born in October!
I love AVEDA products! I am jealous of the economy size shampoo bottle. Enjoy!
Happy birthday, girl! Mine is Sunday and I’ll be 29, and I keep getting a lot of, “Ohhh…” from younger coworkers. Like at 30 you walk off the edge of the earth never to be seen again. You make the 30s look like a blast!
We have the same favorite shampoo. I have been using that Rosemary Mint for 10 years and nothing works the same. I use the conditioner as well. Big Tip: Sally’s Beauty Supply sells a knock off brand that is exactly the same and half the price. The brand is Aura and it is still called Rosemary Mint. All the best on your birthday.
Happy B-day!
A few months ago in Bible study we were introducing ourselves and the girl before me said, “I’m Becc and I’m 19.” Oh…it just hit me that I was 2x that…so that’s how I introduced myself, “I’m Kelley and I’m 20 x 2.”
But there are worst things…
Have a great day!!
Happy B-day!
A few months ago in Bible study we were introducing ourselves and the girl before me said, “I’m Becc and I’m 19.” Oh…it just hit me that I was 2x that…so that’s how I introduced myself, “I’m Kelley and I’m 19 x 2.”
But there are worst things…
Have a great day!!
Happy Birhtday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday BooMama,
Happy Birthday to you!
Blessings to you and thanks for all the joy you spread!
Oh, now Sophie…I am so glad your birthday was a smashing success! Also, I have many, many friends from class of ’88…I even sleep with one every night :) Alas, I am in ’89…but, as I told Big Mama, our Marshall Mavericks DID BEAT ODESSA PERMIAN that year in Friday night lights. Yes, issues…I have them.
Praying for your STUFF and THINGS,
holly
Happy Birthday Girl!!! I must say it sounds like 38 is suiting you pretty well. Hope you had a great and relaxing day!!!!
Happy, happy birthday to you!! My husband’s birthday was also today….but he has a whole year on you – he turned 19.5 x 2. :) Glad to hear you were well remembered…and happy shopping tomorrow!
I had my last baby at 38. It was a very good year. I turned 43 (gasp) a few weeks ago and really it aint so bad. I love the way I feel in my skin now. Much more comfortable than when I was younger. I am sure 38 will be great for you too!
Happy Birthday, again!!!!
Happy birthday, with a little southern sass! ;) Hope you find some steals at Steinmart. Or however you spell it. I’ve been wanting to do the highlights, too. I bought a box and it disappeared on me. Three years ago. Guess it is time to go back to the store. I’m such a procrastinator.
Happy Birthday, BooMama! 38 is nothing! I cried when I turned 35. I loved my forties and was sad to leave them this year. . . *sigh*
Hope you had a great day!
Happy Birthday BooMama. So glad to read it was a good one.
Many blessed happy returns of the day!
Praising God for blessing that’s you.
Happy Birthday, BooMama! You are still a babe… well, from 53 it seems so anyway! I started highlighting my hair 6 years ago and it makes a wonderful blinding difference, but the gravity???? hmmmmm. Just NEVER try to do your makeup wearing reading glasses. You will need to be scraped off the ground, because that wrinkle will closely resemble the Grand Canyon. I speak from experience here. It was a mistake I will not repeat!
Happy Birthday! And man, the birthdays are really starting to pick up. My husband’s b’day is in a few days and mine is at the end o’ of the month. Crazy! October babies pretty much rock the house.
Happy Birthday! Enjoy your day, presents, and especially that rocking shampoo!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
I got along with 38. 39 is not such a welcomed friend. I’m only months away from 40 and the emotions are all over the map on that one!
I turned 37 in April and I’m with you- life is GOOD:-) I feel so much more comfortable in my skin, (which says a lot considering what my skin is doing to me- HA!) and more settled. Just content with who I am, and that is worth a few wrinkles.
(I also have a greater appreciation for the character in Fried Green Tomato’s who bashes the little chippies’ car and tells them she is older, and has better insurance. Has become a bit of a mantra in our house when I am driving!)
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday!!!! Hope you have a great day! :)
Happy Birthday Boo!
P.S. I had my second baby a month after I turned 39. Just sayin.
Happy Birthday, BooMama! May you enjoy many more blessing-filled years ahead :)
How’s this for craziness: When I got to the bottom of the post, you had 38 comments on your post about your 38th birthday. And here I am screwing things up by adding a 39th. That’s how I roll, Boomama.
We know in our house that October birthdays are the best of all. I’m glad you get to share in the goodness.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Happy Birthday! You share the day with our 4 year old and I hope you had as wonderful a day as she did (in her case meaning massive amounts of SUGAR!) :)
Big bottle of good shampoo, HSM2, and a two hour nap. You are blessed beyond all understanding. I’m so glad it was a great one. 38’s been pretty good so far for me – I hope it’s even better for you.
Happy Birthday! That Aveda shampoo, be still my heart. And that picture of Alex, oh, my heart hurts. So precious.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Sometimes it’s hard to remember that God has a plan for us and even though it may not be “our plan”, it’s already put in motion and we just need to go along for the ride and trust Him.
I turn 38 (shudder) in December and I hope I meet it with the same grace as you!
My 38th birthday was on the 3rd as well.
Happy Birthday.
Wrinkles come from smiles. I welcome those.
Happy Birthday, Boomama! A very blessed day.
Happy Birthday! It looks like it was a great day!
Happy Birthday! I think this is the first time I have commented on your site, but I really enjoy reading it. The natural mommy got me hooked. Keep writing, I’ll keep reading!
Happy Birthday again! and I’m so glad you got your shampoo!
I am sorry I missed your birthday! Happy Belated Birthday! You make me laugh ALL the time. I mean when I read on LPM about your “Angela” Jeans and bending over and not damaging your testimony I laughed my head off! Steinmart, we have the same love language. I mean, I love this store!! Southern Living, I look forward to their hoilday edition every year and I bought Paula Deen’s new holiday magazine this week! You have to be God’s favorite, a little boy taking a 2 hour nap, let’s give Him more praise. \o/
Love,
Patty
Happy Birthday Boomama!! Thank you for blessing all of us and we together pray that 38 is the coolest year ever….bc you are so cool and cool is all you!
Happy Birthday, BooMama. I had the same thoughts last week when I turned 39. Ugh… I still have trouble typing it. Especially after I found the two gray hairs that decided to appear the NEXT DAY. :-)
I too LOVE the Christmas magazines, especially Southern Living. :-) Enjoy spending that Steinmart card. :-)
Happy Birthday!! Enjoy your time with your family. We are all blessed to know you! :>)
Happy Birthday, BooMama! Sorry I missed it! Thanks for your blog, I really enjoy it!
My goodness, I’m late on the happy birthdayness of it all, but better late than never! Happy belated!
Happy Birthday!!! :)
Happy Birthday! The 2 hour nap was icing on the cake! :)
Sarah, TN
Happy Birthday! I will be 38 on the 30th of this month. I’m glad to know it is not as bad as I have imagined!
Happy Birthday!
Hey BooMama, we share this birthday! Only I’m a teency bit older and a little bit more cratered. Come on over to 2nd cup and do The Locomotion with Little Eva and me from 1962! Happy, Happy Birthday, and as they say in CB radio talk, 10-4, Good Buddy!
Happy Birthday child! 38 is good! 38 was a fabulous year for me. I married my sweetie and I graduated from college. I know. I’m a late bloomer. God bless you with all things good this year!
Happy Birthday lady!!! I hit the BIG 40 this year- it’s just a matter of how ya look at it! I keep telling myself (and DH) that now I’m just as good as TWO TWENTY YEAR OLDS!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I hope your day is great and your year is even better!
38 — why, you’re just barely on the other side of being a spring chicken. :) I turned 50 in August and keep thinking, “How did that happen?!” But it’s better than not turning 50….
Happy Birthday!!
Wow, we have a lot in common! I turn 38 on Tuesday, we are both Grits Girls, love Steinmart oh the list could go on and on :-)
Have a great week!
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday! You so totally rock, and you somehow made this 35 year old dread the latter half of the 30’s a little less. Thank you!
Happy Birthday my Boomama blog sister! I turned 38 on July 4th and had my 5th child 11 days later! What a celebration! You will simply loooove 38 daaahling! I have so far. :)
p.s. I just love how little A.’s hand is grasped tightly around the remote in that picture. He may only be 4, but he already knows his priorities!
Happy Birthday!
I just knew there was somethnig more special about you than just your southern charm and humor, we share the same birthday along with Chubby Checker of course! So do the twist and I hope you enjoyed your birthday.
Happy, Happy Birthday, BooMama! I hope you feel very loved and special today. And I hope God gives you a glimpse of His delight in you. You are gifted and as silly as whole blogging/podcast stuff might seem sometimes, you are REALLY impacting people. You are a gifted writer, you are making a difference in lives, bringing joy, and pointing people to God. You honor Him well. AND you pass on fabulous recipes and fashion advice. Zeph 3:17 for you today. Hope you’ll post about what you ATE on your bday! With pics, pretty please.
Awww, that last picture is the icing on the cake! What a sweetheart!
Happy Birthday BooMama! I just turned 36 and am in total denial! And the botox…I can commiserate, how I WISH I was a botox girl…whoever said growing old gracefully was graceful, I would have to beg to differ! Yes, the wrinkles gracefully appear, but once they rear their ugly self, there isn’t anything graceful about them. No ma’am!. They are just plain UGLY!
Doing the happy dance that you are a year older than me….oh I meant to say. Um..
Happy Birthday girl!!! No wonder I luv you, we share a birthday month ;))) But girl I will only be 37.
Ok running before I see a hair brush flying my way.
BYW I am going through a difficult time of 37 that you mentioned….praying for my turning point. Have not arrived at that yet.
Happy Birthday! Don’t give up; God’s timing is perfect. I was pregnant with my third child on my 40th birthday.
I’d say that nap alone would be the best present (and the rosemary mint Aveda) : )
Steph
P.S. I meant to add HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Steph
happy birthday! it is so amazing to me as i age that my number gets bigger but i seriously still feel much younger. wasn’t high school just yesterday? anyway, eat some fabulous cake and have a great day! calories don’t count on your birthday, right?
Happy Birthday!
The family and I love High School Musical 2 (the soundtrack and the movie). Have fun singing and dancing to those catchy tunes.
oh, btw, this mysteriousness (yes that is a word) is totally killing me. can’t wait to hear what your waiting to hear. the internets, they are a nosey bunch!
Happy, happy Birthday!
Did you ever think that the gift of shampoo would make a birthday great? The life of a mom…it’s the best.
Happy birthday, you young thang!!! 38 is nothing but a number; it’s your heart that counts. You sound young, live young and enjoy the life God gave you. That, my friend, is the fountain of youth.
Happy Birthday BooMama! I turned 37 on Oct. 2nd, and I was shocked that it didn’t bother me one bit! 36 was big – It meant that I was on the down side of my 30’s. The difference between 27 and 37? – At 27, I went out and celebrated with friends. At 37, I put the kids to bed – got on my PJs – turned on the DVR and tore into the dinner and margarita that my dear friend brought me. Peace and quiet is my friend! :) Happy Happy Birthday to you!!
Happy Birthday – your blog brings a lot of laughter in my life! Hope your birthday is stupdendous!
You have so many WONDERFUL things in your life to be grateful for :) And many more blessings yet to come! You are young and don’t forget it! Enjoy it.
Oh, Boomama, Happy belated birthday! I wish I had logged on yesterday so that it wouldn’t be belated! I’ve just got to tell you that I am discovering that one sided “11” line smack dab between the eyebrows growing increasingly deeper and I’m beginning to wonder if I should stop waxing the unibrow to do away with the crater wrinkle appearing!! But, then again, it’s a toss up-unibrow, wrinkle? Thankfully we serve our Savior who loves us just the way we are, wrinkles, unibrows and all! I also stopped the blonde highlights because of time and money involved with the upkeep and am thinking they might have to come back because I’m not recognizing who I’m seeing in the mirror these days! After 15 years of highlights, it’s interesting to discover your natural haircolor! That’s an understatement!
My husbands birthday is tomorrow and my son said, “Mommy, I think we need to buy him a monster truck.” And my daughter this morning said with great enthusiasm, “Mommy, we’ve got to go buy dad a cake!” Notice the word “buy” and not “bake.” Oh, poor dear, mommy needs to get the oven fired up for some baking! I hope you enjoyed your day! I love that Rosemary Mint scent! A friend had some by her sink and I tried it and discovered it’s heavenly delight!
Happy belated Birthday!! I recently turned 38, too, and am expecting our first baby. I hit that biological clock thing you wrote about and, like you, enjoyed life a lot more when I decided to accept whatever plan God had for me (an ongoing lesson he keeps teaching me). I agree — blonde highlights are a MUST!
The happiest of days to you!
Happy (belated) birthday, BooMama! We are now the same age…well, until June of ’08, that is. Personally, I love being on the cusp of 40…27 was a hard age for me…moving from the “young adults” class to the “adults” sunday school class and all. The rest is gravy…love ya, girl!
Yes, Happy Belated Birthday! It’s funny how a random number can be so powerful… For me, my “double” numbers are my “lucky” birthdays: 22 (Got married on that birthday), 33 (spent a great year as PTA president), 44 (fulfilled my dream of becoming a youth minister)… and very much looking forward to 55, 66, 77…You get the idea!
And oddly enough, I was excitedly anticipating 42! My doctor told me that’s when “your eyesight goes away and you will need reading glasses.” Yippee–another way to accessorize my outfits! But the unexpected benefit of needing glasses is that those crater wrinkles no longer look quite as deep or as wide…
So, God does have a plan–AND a sense of humor!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY FRIEND!!! Hugs from the Heartland.
There’s nothing like celebrating your 38th birthday with the soundtrack to the latest teeny bopper musical.
“What Time Is It?” It’s Sophie’s birthday. You can “Bet On It” being a “Fabulous” day for you, as I hope “Everyday” is! Tell D to take you out on the town tonight, and if he says “I Don’t Dance”, say I know you can!
Yeah, I’m not a fan at all. That was not me sitting in the living room the other night telling everyone to just hush for pete’s sake so momma could watch the movie!
Well, “I Gotta Go My Own Way” now! HAVE A GREAT DAY! Much Love and birthday wishes!!!
Happy Belated Birthday!!! I dropped by from CiBi’s. You have a very nice blog. I’ll be back again.
Have a day filled with love and laughter!
Angela
Happy Belated Birthday!! Hope your day was wonderful (and it sounds like it was).
Happy Birthday Boomama! Have a wonderful day and enjoy the Aveda. :) I can relate, only I used the Sebastian products back-in-the-day.
You know, my sister had a beautiful healthy baby girl at 42. ;)
Blessings on your day!
P.S. I’m glad I sent you that e-mail on the LATTER HALF of your 37th year. :-)
Sorry I am a day late. I wan’t able to get on the comp. yesterday!!! :( HAve a GREAT day after your B-day, after all…. Birthdays are a WEEK LONG!!! :P
Happy Birthday BooMama!!!!!
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday!
(I screwed something up the first time!)