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!
I am SO excited for you, because, well, you’re MY pretend BFF and Beth (yes, THAT Beth) mentioned you on her blog today! Yes she did!
You probably already saw it, but I knew that it would thrill you!
Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday!!! What a sweet picture of Alex!!! And a two hour nap. Now, THAT is a present. I might have to try that Aveda shampoo…even if I do have to take out a second mortgage on my house to do it!
I meant every adjective I said about you…I have been reading your blog from the AC Old Navy jeans to Mandisa’s words to lavender spray to generous give away’s…I just never posted before…your blog is an experience…hey, I’ll be 19 X 3 next month—but I feel like I am times 2…just means I am getting closer to home, right? cause we weren’t made for this world anyway AND our hope is in not this life I Cor 15 -whew!—you are way too cute—you are just adorable boomama—i love saying boomamaboomamaboomamaboomama…
Happy, happy birthday!!! I’m so glad you were born! This was a great post. I loved reading it. I love that God gifted you with Alex’s long nap.
I’m a day late – Sorry! Happy Birthday!
I hope it was great!
I have heard, and I’m pretty sure it’s scientifically documented that a woman is MOST beautiful when she is 38 years old. Enjoy it, siesta!
Happy Birthday Sophia and 38 looks good on you! Thanks for bringing so much joy and sunshine into the lives of so many of your readers! May God richly bless you!
That shampoo looks intoxicating!
Happy Happy Birthday!!!!
blessings,
stephanie
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday! What wonderful gifts and a great post for US to read on YOUR birthday! Thank you for the time that you put into your blog and sharing your wonderful corner of the world with all of us.
Have a great weekend as well and happy shopping!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
DO YOU REALLY READ ALL YOUR COMMENTS????
(HOW’D YOU RUSTLE UP SO MANY COMMENTS?)
COME ON OVER TO MY BLOG, AND ENTER TO WIN MY GIVE AWAY!!!
Happy Birthday! What a sweet post. Thanks for sharing the bit about what you were feeling last year at this time. God has brought you far…glad I get to be one of the readers who can experience it too!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
We love you girl!
Happy Birthday!!!!
Happy Happy Birthday!!
Happy Birthday BooMama!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BOOMAMA!!!!! Enjoy your special day. I, too, am glad you were born! They say 40 is the new 30, so 38 must be the new 28. See, you were correct! I’m 4 years your junior and I have the furrow right between my eyebrows, so I’m with you, sister, on the botox temptation.
Last week, you sent me in search of those Old Navy jeans, (they ROCK, thanks!)now I must run and get that magazine. I Looove me some Southern Living around the holidays. We have Midwest Living here in the um, you know, midwest. But it’s just not the same. Not at all.
Love ya, girl!
Happy Birthday! You make me smile!
When I turned 40 (over a year ago) I was bummed for a while that I didn’t wake up reincarnated into The Perfect Edition of Me. I still had a messy house, saddle bags, and loud children. Then, I realized that life is good, not perfect, but very good!
I hope you have a wonderful day!
Happy Birthday BooMama! Enjoy your Aveda oh that is a birthday treat!
What a haul! Happy Birthday!
Inhale some rosemary-mint goodness for me!
Hello again. Thirty-eight is not so bad. I’ve survived it for four months now. The big 4-0 is the one I’m dreading. Time does fly. Like the Good Book says, “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanishes away (James 4:14)”. Only what’s done for Jesus will last. We should ENJOY as well as live IN JOY. I love this quote, although I’m not sure where I read it…
“So, don’t take life for granted. Take it with gratitude. And leave it in better shape than you found it”.
I think birthdays are a good time to remind ourselves of this.
A very, very happy birthday Boomama.
And may the 38th year be the best ever!!!
God bless!!!
You say it’s your birthday…well it’s not by birthday too yah! Happy 19X2.Hope it’s your best year yet.It must be awesome to get birthday greetings and blessings from all over the blogiverse.You are well loved missy!Have fun with all of the birthday loot, especially that last picture which has got to be the best EVAH.
I am struggling with 17 1/2 X 2 coming in a month and a half. Eeeh gads where does the time go? I feel about 24 at the most, and I think to myself “How can I have such a wonderful hubby and precious family?How can I be running an office and responsible for the care and maintenance of so many people and their stuff? Don’t they know I’m only 24 and young an dumb?!?! What’s wrong with these people?”
Happy Birthday. Having just told 58 goodbye last week, you will always be a “spring chicken” to me.
happy birthday, boomama!
hope it was a wonderful one, and girl, i am envyin’ your big, honkin’ bottle of aveda. when we still lived in tennessee, my hairdresser ONLY worked with the aveda products.
living up here in the “nawth,” as i like to call it, there is no such animal as the aveda.
you are simply too precious for words!
I realize I’m a day late, but I wanted to chime in anyway to wish you a very Happy (though belated) Birthday! I love seeing pictures of Alex — he’s such a precious boy. And it looks like you got a pretty decent stash o’ birthday stuff. :)
Happy Birthday!! Hope you had someone else cook for you. You know this is the time when the true sassiness shows up – at least that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Happy Birthday! I’m so glad you wrote this post because my birthday is next month and I did three things today that really killed my ego: a. renewed my driver’s license and had to tell a complete stranger that yes indeed, I have gained 27 pounds since the last time I was in her cheerful little line. b) paid $90 at the clinque counter for a bunch of lotions because the 20-year-old salesperson kept trying to diplomatically avoid coming right out and telling me: your face is being overrun by lines, crevices, dark patches and sun damage. Like I don’t KNOW this. And c) I have a mark on my arm from carrying shopping bags – like three hours after I put the bags down. Like a grandma. The old epidermis just doesn’t bounce back the way it used to. But I agree with you – the late 30s rock, even if your ego doesn’t kick up as much dust as it used to! You got goooood presents! enjoyenjoy!
Happy Birthday Boomama!
Boo Mama,
I just wanted to tell you that I love you to death!!! You absolutely crack me up! I love reading your blog and found you on Big Mama’s blog. I am so glad that you are lovin’ 38…Happy Birthday to you!!
Happy happy birthday! Your blog has brought color and chuckl-y smiles into my life. :-) Thanks for that.
Just be happy you’re “only” 38. I started to feel traumatized by birthdays shortly after, hmmm, 28. Well, now I’m 40- something! But guess what! The hands of time keep moving forward, so I may as well be thankful I’m not 50-something YET.
I just gave myself a pep talk I may have to refer back to soon as *my* birthday is next week.
~C
oh, shoot, I missed the real day. Happy belated birthday! And that Aveda Rosemary Mint…my absolute favorite too. My boys were some kinda thrilled that those dawgs beat Auburn. I hope this coming year is super great for you and yours!
Fondly,
Dawn (Houston, Texas)
Sitting in the food court of Grand Central Terminal in New York last month, I tasted Rosemary Mint Shampoo by Aveda. It was disguised as mint tea from one of the restaurants.
But as I sit here and llive and breathe today, it was Rosemary Mint Shampoo in a glass. Great for my hair. Not so good in the mouth.
Happy birthday! Sounds like a great time was had by all. :)
Embrace 38! Happy birthday Boomama! Halle Berry is 41 and she’s having a baby! You are still a baby!
Southern Living Christmas will make anyone have a happy birthday!
Happy birthday! You also made a lot of people laugh in year 37 and here’s to another year of causing more laugh wrinkles!
Happy, happy day! I hope you get a big cupcake too! :)
Happy Birthday! I gave that CD to my 9 year old daughter for her birthday yesterday. So, you are just a young one, too.
Contentment is a GREAT birthday gift to enjoy! Happy B’day, girl….and there’s nothing wrong with great gifts either! Have fun!
Oh, and I meant to say that you are old enough to be my little sister! ;)
Had to write and say Happy Birthday. This was a post I could really relate to-Especially the part about thinking you’re 28 when you’re 38. As I was laughing at what you wrote I thought “Dang-I’m not her age-I’m 10 years older!!” These are the ages of eternity. At a certain point the year gets blurred and you just are “older”. God bless you, Boomama.
Girl, when I hit “40” – I just told everyone I was celebrating the 1 year anniversary of my 39th birthday. LOL
Happy Birthday, a day late. Yesterday was my sweet husband’s birthday as well. He was 32 x 2, but he doesn’t look it or act like it.
Happy Happy Birthday!!! I have to tell you I was sitting by myself in an airport today (wondering where in the world the plane was!) listening to your last podcast. Big mistake!!! I had to bury my face in my hands and try very hard to restrain the laughter so all the folks around me wouldn’t think I was totally insane–espec. when you tried to get your dog to talk… Anyone who saw me probably thought I had just said goodbye to someone about to die who I might never see again since I was wiping tears away recomposing myself. LIstening to ya’ll at home is much safer. My family already knows I’m crazy. : ) Thanks for all the smiles. Happy Bday!!!!!
Happy, happy birthday, Boomama!! I hope it’s a great year for you!
If my wife Cindy hates me for giving her shampoo and electronics accessories for her next birthday, I will have no one to blame but you.
I’ll email you after our marriage counseling and let you know how it went.
Silly me.
Happy Birthday, Crater-Head.
I have been all of 38 for two months and two days, and it wears well. I promise. :)
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday, Boo Mama! You don’t look a day over 28 (plus or minus a decade!!) ;-)
Happy, happy birthday to YOU! :)
Don’t you love that you and Big Mama had the same animal print on their blog today. Fate no, divine intervention, yes.
Happy Birthday! I am within sight distance of 37 (we’re both October girls), and it’s not so bad.
I love your husband’s gifts–the perfect mix of personal and functional.
Happy happy Birthday! I’m glad you have decided to keep Little Man. :)
Jamie
Happy Birthday, Boomama!! Just like the rest, I am SOOOOOOOOOO glad you are a part of my world. You bless me everyday with your wit and your faith. Thank you for sharing your heart with us. Thank you for sharing your LIFE! I am glad you were born. I pray this will be a blessed year for you all! We celebrate too! Kelly
Happy Birthday! I just turned 21 x’s 2 last friday!! lol.
Hope your day was fantastic! Mine was!!
Oh wow! We share the same birthday! I knew you were totally cool, but this is too much. You are forever my kindred spirit now! I didn’t notice until today, sorry, because I was so busy celebrating my birthday. I’m… ahem… a tad older than you….22X2+1. Happy belated birthday!
Happy Birthday! Thank you for all the laughs! Hope it’s the best birthday yet!
So sorry I’m a day late wishing you a Happy Birthday, BooMama. I do hope it was a wonderful day…looks like you had a very productive day today at Steinmart. I love the cute skirt. I’m heading to Memphis next Wed., so maybe I can pick one up. Don’t be ashamed of that HSM 2 soundtrack…it’s played on a regular basis in our home. (Of course, we have a 10 yr. old daughter, but that’s beside the point, right?) It really is a super soundtrack and a fun movie! HAPPY B’DAY, DEAR FRIEND!!!
I’m turning 18 x 2 next month, so I feel your pain. Happy birthday, BooMama!
PS – you have the most interesting photo backgrounds anywhere on the interweb… yes ma’am.
PPS – I’m off to listen to your podcast – heard it’s a doozie. (aren’t they all?!)
Well, always a day late and a dollar short, but HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!
May this year be as beautiful as you are! :)
so sorry I missed your birthday..I was busy and didn’t check blogs yesterday….Oh well, sounds like you had a great one AND shopping for yourself is a big BLESSING. Enjoy 38~
OH! Happy Birthday, a day late! So glad you had a great day.
I can smell the Rosemary Mint now…yum! Happy Birthday late…
I am 37, so I’m right there with you. I’ll always picture myself as 28ish.
We welcomed our 3rd child into our family this year, this time through adoption – a wonderful, beautiful experience.
Hope 38 is your best year yet!
Happy Birthday, BooMama! I’m sorry I missed your big day. I pray this year is your best yet!
Happy belated birthday! Mine was Wednesday as well, although I was born about 11 years after you. And now I’m sort of freaking out about being nearly halfway between 25 and 30!
Happy belated birthday!
I am older than you. I am MUCH greyer, not terribly wrinkly, but I have graduated to bifocals and need I tell you, that is just…charming.
Girl I had to scroll ALL the way down to leave this HAPPY BIRTHDAY message. My computer has been down so I am a bit behind on saying HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
I tell you some great presents, all of these well wishes and HSM2 music who could ask for more!
God bless,
Kim
Ack! I couldn’t get online at all for the past few days, and look what I missed!
Happy Birthday to Boomama! I knew I liked you for reasons other than your hilarity and sassiness…Our birthdays are just 1 day apart! Mine was on the 2nd. Hope you had a great day!
Happy Happy Birthday Boomama, even though Im late. I just had my 45th a few weeks ago and I too hate gravity, much more than he (gotta be a man) hates me. I still look at photos of myself with a moment of shock – I look lots younger and slimmer in my head. The thing I’m hating most about aging, other than the fat that now has squatters rights in my thighs, is the chin hairs! Those suckers could cause a flesh wound!
And many more, BooMama! Keep those posts coming!
Many, many more!!! I turned 37 in May and also feel forever young…
I just got those same headphones for MY birthday! I asked for them because my ears are too small for earbuds. That’s right, I wear those suckers right out in public.
I know that I’m commenting on an old post, and that is terribly annoying, but my computer died on October 3rd, and I just installed the new hard drive today, and came over to catch up and I read all the way back to THIS post only to discover thay BooMama and I have THE.EXACT.SAME.BIRTHDAY! Who would have ever guessed! (And yes, the computer died on our birthday! hmpf!) I am, however, 42 – not 38 – but I did have a baby 2 years ago, so if you really still want a baby, don’t fret the clock. God can do whatever He wants whenever He wants. I will warn you, however, that if you do have a baby at 40, you will have a 2 year old at 42 and you will be tired…very, very, tired. (But it’s still worth it!)
Anyway, happy belated birthday! And now I know I’ll never forget when BooMama’s birthday is!