It's official!

I'm 40 years old now. :) I remember being a kid and my parents being 40 and it seemed so old. Then you get a little older, go to college, me a great guy, get married, have kids, and suddenly 40 isn't so far off!

It's not a secret that I've struggled with food and my weight for years. I've been very vocal about it and it wasn't until just recently that something clicked in my brain and it (slightly) changed the way I look at food and eating habits. I'm not perfect; I will still eat ice cream and chocolate; I love Mexican food and margaritas; pasta is my enemy but it's damn good, especially with cheese. ;) But I've learned I don't have to eat that every day and when I do I don't need to eat enough to feed a village. Moderation.

I've also recently started running which you know if you've been reading my blog (as few and far between as the posts have been.) It's not something I can say I LOVE but it is something that I can do so that a) I can eat the above mentioned foods, b) I can be healthy, and c) see small changes in my body and my outlook toward exercise. Plus, I get to run with a pretty cool chick.

I feel very blessed to be celebrating my 40th birthday. I've made it this far and I'm healthy, I'm happy, I'm wiser than I was a few years ago, I've learned to love myself more each day regardless of my weight, size, height - I am who I am (thanks Popeye) and you can love me or leave me.

I am blessed because I get to celebrate my birthday with my husband who is coming home (and who is actually moving back home from Tucson but shhh, it's still on the DL) and my two gorgeous, happy, healthy children on my actual birthday. Then a week later I will celebrate back in CA with all my friends and family (thank you Elizabeth for letting me celebrate my day on YOUR day.)

I truly believe it takes a village to raise a family and your family is not only those related by blood but those who you choose to have in your life to help support you, raise you up when you are down, and stand by you in times of struggle or pain. I choose/chose my friends for so many reasons but I love you all for just as many reasons. My family is amazing, supportive, and always there for me when I've needed a shoulder to cry on, someone to vent to, laugh with, enjoy all the amazing wondrous things of life (including births of babies - can't wait to meet my new niece Isabel any day now!) I love you all with all my heart. <3

So look out world, here I come! I'm 40, fabulous, and looking forward to another decade of life, experience, love, family, friends, joy, and anything else you can throw at me. Come on, whatcha got?!?

~with much love, always