:: birthday blog ::

Have you ever noticed what happens on birthdays? People are supposed to get all retrospective and contemplative and start thinking about how old they are. But like, seriously, who actually wants to do that? (If you do, hope I didn’t just offend you or something…). I guess I’m not the super-sentimental type. At least not when it comes to me. I marvel at how fast my son is growing up, but believe me, I don’t wish he was a newborn again. I hold up the tiny itty bitty clothes he wore (that were too big) when we brought him home from the hospital as I pack them away and my husband and I just shake our heads in amazement at how much has changed, but I’m not sad. If anything, I’m proud of my growing boy. He’s doing what he’s supposed to do.

My husband teased me last night and mentioned that I’m now closer to 30 than 20 (yes, for those of you dying to know that makes me 26), but it really doesn’t bother me. In a way it’s actually exciting. You can file this tidbit of information I’m about to dole out under the category Crazy Things Brienne Thinks if you like (it’s a growing list…) but I think that 32 is the perfect age. I think the 30′s in general are going to rock, but there’s something about 32 that has always been something I’ve been looking forward to. I spent a while when I first started doing photography trying to convince people that I was older, more mature, and please-oh-please trust me to shoot your wedding or handle your newborn. The more time that passes, the less that happens and it’s been much easier. Being married helps I’m sure. Being a mom really helps in a lot of ways. But there’s something about getting older that also leads to a certain comfort in one’s own skin. At least for me anyway.

So today sorta feels like any other day. I woke up to the sound of my son’s babbles. I got the warm-fuzzies all over when he giggled at me this morning and tried to steal my glasses (he’ll learn soon enough that a blind mommy is not a good idea…). I fed him, we played, he went down for his nap, etc. The routine is still the same. Today, like many moms lives out there, is much the same as most other days. But something about that makes me happy. I have an amazing husband, a son I couldn’t possibly love more, the perfect career for me, a beautiful home, and even own a FABULOUS pair of Louboutins (holla!). Could a girl be more blessed? So why look back too much? And I thought to myself, why don’t we spend birthdays being happy and thankful and grateful and content instead of wishing for the past or forgetting about today? So instead of be retrospective, here’s a list of things I’m thankful for right now (and it’s not even Thanksgiving – bonus for you!). So in no particular order….

:: Jesus. Always.
:: I am thankful for the gardeners. They may come at 7:15 in the morning, but I sure don’t want their job and appreciate that I don’t have to do it.
:: Shoes. I love them. They catalogue my life and the occasions they accompanied me to. At the time I bought them, they reflected something about me. And the make me smile.
:: Mexico. If not for the food they produce, I would be a very unfulfilled girl.
:: My church family. I’ve met some awesome people and their pushing and prodding has helped to create serious growth in my life.
:: Cheese. We’ve had a rocky relationship, cheese and I (thanks to all the “Bree? Like the cheese?” comments during my life), but I have come to have a fond appreciation for it.
:: Coffee. And it’s smell. I wouldn’t be complete without it.
:: My husband. And I don’t say it enough. He’s the best friend I’ve ever had and my biggest supporter. I honestly can’t imagine life without him.
:: Blog comments. They make me feel less crazy and more cool at the same time. If I thought I could get away with it, I would tell people that they make you skinny if you leave them on my blog just to get people to do it more. Pathetic, huh?
:: My curling iron. It’s fantastic and gives me the chance to dream about if I had curly hair someday without all the commitment.
:: The color yellow. And fuschia. And aqua blue. And paprika. And coral pink/orange. And Oscar-de-la-Renta-blue. They all make me smile.
:: Chocolate. Especially dark chocolate. It fills my mouth (and I think my soul) with joy.
:: My iPhone. I can’t even remember the world without it, can you? All my iPhone peeps out there know what I’m talking about.
:: All things made by Apple for that matter. My work would be soooo different without it. And I love their commercials. I’m definitely a Mac.
:: Facebook. It’s a stay-at-home/work-from-home mom’s best friend.
:: French. When I speak it, I feel cool and sophisticated and daydream about going to Paris one day…
:: Good wine. It rocks my socks off and paired with the right meal, it has taught me to appreciate food in a new way.
:: The Food Network. Makes me feel all chef-y when I cook.
:: Warm socks straight out of the dryer. Nothing. Better.
:: YOU. Because you’re reading this and you have no idea how awesome that makes me feel.

Ok, enough (and congrats for making it to the end – I’d give you a cookie or something if I could). Thanks again for all the birthday wishes. Why don’t you leave something you’re thankful for in the comment box below (not on facebook, on the real blog – it needs some love…)? It’ll make you skinny.

:: b ::