It's Tough Getting Older....

So today I turned 23. Someone asked me what I was going to do to celebrate today and I simply (and slightly smugly and bitterly) replied, "Everything I did not do when I turned 18 and 21. And I am going to do it all by myself!" We laughed and I went about my day. I said this because I knew my 23rd birthday was not going to hold too much excitement, and I guess I wanted to escape reality and imagine what excitement might look like in the life of Amy D for a split second...oh Amy....some might say.....I was immediately snapped back into reality as I realized how ridiculous I was truly being. First of all, I was not going to buy a pack of cigarettes and smoke them, or buy a lotto ticket, or buy alcohol and get drunk, nor was I going to go to a club just so I could get carded....and I most definitely was not going to get a tattoo...my luck is that if I actually did these things, I would get drunk and then get a tattoo and wonder why I had BOB's name on my back.....oh Amy...Second of all, this is just plain delinquency...and NOT the excitement I would want or need....although it would make for an interesting story to tell the grand kids....

It was a rather odd birthday, but overall it was a good one. I had to work on my birthday. I am not going to lie....It is tough getting older and adjusting to the real world. So, as I drove into work this morning a little before nine, the calls just started rolling in telling me Happy Birthday. It started with my grandparents, which is always a delight because they talk to me at the same time! I can envision them sitting in their recliners one on one phone and the other on the other phone just talking away....It brings joy to my heart! My heart was gladdened when they raved about how proud of me they are and how young I am.....that's when I received a phone call from Sarah Begin. Being that I am the first posse member to turn another year older, she reminded me of how old I am (a slight contrast from the conversation I just had with my grandparents). Then throughout the day the entire posse decided to let me in on a few secrets as to why it is a good thing to get older....here are just a few reasons (I have filtered because as we all know....sometimes the posse can be inappropriate...)
1. Senior Discounts
2. Depends-who needs a bathroom break from the routine of your day when it is on you....
3. Handicap Parking-you can drive slow AND park close....along with whatever the heck else you want....you have a handicap parking sticker...that is all that matters....
4. Earlier to bed-no one can give you a hard time about it
5. You can say whatever you want when you want-no filter required and it is acceptable...sort of.

SO, as you can tell, my birthday was a very uplifting and encouraging day....haha. I am kidding. This did bring some laughter into my mundane day at work. Although we did have a party at work today because my boss' birthday was yesterday....it was fun. Olive Garden was for lunch and that is a favorite of mine so I can't complain.....

As I complain and joke about getting one year older, there truly is no place I would rather be. To keep things in perspective, I would like to reflect on the past year of my life and state some reasons why I am so excited about getting another year older (and wiser I might add).
1. I have become a more confident woman who is starting to really know who I am and what I want in life....I can't say that about myself a year ago from today...it really is a FANTASTIC feeling...
2. To add to #1, I am becoming my own person, gaining independence, truly being myself, and doing things that I want to do for a change....I guess you could say I am sassy and satisfied!
3. The past year's experiences have brought me so much pain (and many tears), but also the most joy, fulfillment, and freedom I have ever experienced in my life....
4. I have experience God more in the past year than I have in a very long time....this has been well worth every second of the long road of this past year....
5. I have wonderful, wonderful life long friends that love me dearly and encourage me on every level and every step of the way...that has never rang more true in my life until this past year....
6. I have been blessed with two Godly, wise, amazing parents, and two beautiful, vibrant sisters who I love more than life itself....without these people I would not have been able to make it through this past year...for this, I am eternally grateful and immensely blessed.....
7. And for the perfect 7: I have never felt more challenged, dealt with more struggle, or had as much heartache as I have over the past year, but as a result, I have never been more in love with my Savior, never been so full of life and joy, and never been so at peace at where the Lord is taking me!

So, I guess getting another year older isn't so bad. It is a time to reflect and think back on the past year of your life and look forward to a new beginning and year ahead.....

As I arrived at accountability group this evening, I was feeling rather sorry for myself, for a number of different reasons which I will not bore you with (the depressing old folk jokes hadn't helped this even though they did bring some laughter...) As I arrived with cake (left over from the roaring party at work), we began to discuss how it was my birthday when one girl said, "But imagine how much has happened in the past 23 years, how far you have come, and what all is going to happen in the next 23 years!" My perspective changed at this point. I really do have so much to be grateful for. I have had countless facebook messages, emails, phone calls, and text messages from many, many people that care about me and love me and wanted to wish me a happy birthday. I have a good job, wonderful friends, and an immensely gracious family! I have had a great year of growth and change...and this is just in the past year...this doesn't even include the last 23 years of my life! If life has been this good for 23 years...I can only imagine what the next 23 will be like! I hear life gets better with age...I look forward to experiencing that to its fullest! I've got a lot of living to do! So here's to getting another year older...it really is a wonderful thing and I look forward to where life is leading me!

Oh, and for those of you wondering...my birthday didn't turn out too bad....in fact it was excellent and concluded by a good movie with my parents and some good friends and some new clothes from none other than Banana Republic...it really is okay getting older...

Until next time...be blessed!