Today has been JAM-PACKED – I worked for a couple of hours this morning, then had a (very fun, actually) meeting with some friends from church, then had a thing at Alex’s school, then came home and tried to get the little man to rest but he would have NONE OF THAT, THANK YOU, then went to the grocery store and OH MY WORD would you look at this:

Now normally I’m a little OCD about the placement of my groceries in the back of my car: I like all the bags of cold stuff together and all the canned stuff together and all the Cokes and Capri Suns together, and before you start to think that I’ve lost my mind, I’ll just go ahead and confirm to you that YES, YES I HAVE.

But today there was so much stuff that I just threw it in the back of the car and hoped for the best.

Because I’m a rebel like that.

And OH! Miss Jennifer, one of Alex’s favorite people in the world, is back at our Publix and you have never seen a sweeter reunion than when Alex ran into the store earlier this week, made a beeline for her register, threw his arms around her and said, “I’VE MISSED YOU SO MUCH, MISS JENNIFER!” So all is right with his world again.

Anyway, Mama and Daddy are coming in for a visit tomorrow, which means that I need to change sheets and wash towels and, um, CLEAN, but before I bore you with my list of chores, look what was waiting for me when I got home this afternoon:

Lavender! From GiBee! Isn’t that the sweetest?

And it probably goes without saying, but it smells DIVINE. I have a bit of a thing for the lavender, you know.

And by “thing,” of course, I mean “obsession.”

Y’all have a great weekend!

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!

Okay, technically this wasn’t a birthday present. But it came in the mail yesterday, and you have NO IDEA how much I love this particular issue of Southern Living. There are tons of great recipes and fun decorating ideas, so I won’t just read this issue, I will STUDY it.

Internets, I would like to introduce you to my favorite shampoo in the whole wide world. I haven’t seen Mr. Aveda since I quit working full-time, but oh, we had a sweet reunion this afternoon. And I know you can’t tell, but it’s a big ole economy-sized bottle, and I’m thinking of building a special display case for it in our bathroom. Because it is a precious treasure.

Why headphones, you ask? For better podcasting, of course. And you have no idea how excited I was to get these. Which should pretty much confirm that I am as much of a geek as you have suspected.

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:

OH YES MA’AM.

This is from Sister and Barry, and I’m here to tell you that a Steinmart(s) gift card is my love language. I’ll be using this little gem TOMORROW.

Finally:

HE TOOK A NAP! FOR TWO HOURS!

Even better: HE’S OURS!

Oh, I love our little family.

And so far, 38 and I are getting along just fine.

Three things:

Overwhelmed! is hosting her second annual Holiday Cooking, Blogger Style this Friday, October 5th. You can find all the details here.

Sprittibee is giving away a Kodak printer. Click here for more info.

And finally, Kathryn has a cautionary tale regarding a social networking site that invites you to share book recommendations with friends.

Happy Wednesday!