How does it feel to be 30?

Today I am 30. People keep saying, "How does it feel?" My pat answer has been, "It feels the same." And that's true, it does. But as I sit and think on it for a minute it also feels just a little bit different. 


30 represents this age that for most of my young life I didn't think past. I pictured myself getting married, having a few great adventures, and maybe a baby (or two). But I didn't really picture things beyond 30.  I guess you could say 30 was a destination so to speak. And now that I'm here I realize I'm not really sure what life after 30 looks like. 


How refreshing. 


I am thrilled to say I haven't really thought that far ahead (slightly out of character for my Type A personality). So after a little reflecting I think I would have to answer that "How does it feel" question just a bit differently. 


I'd start with this, for me 30 sounds equal parts old and young. It is close enough to my twenties and all that I've recently "been" to feel comfortable and familiar, while at the same time ferrying me into a stage in life that in a lot of ways feels unknown.  So yes, while I still feel like the same old "me", I guess 30 does feel a little different.  And I'm totally digging it. I'm also digging this quote that one of our favorite Navy guys posted on my facebook wall (thanks Sean)...


"Time and tide wait for no man, but time always stands still for a woman of thirty." ~Robert Frost


P.S. How lucky am I to share my birthday with my very best friend and one of my most favorite people...she also just so happens to be my sister, yeah, I totally hit the jackpot.  Happy Birthday Kimmi-I love you.

Reason #436

Why I love being a Quality of Life Coordinator (aka "Stay at Home Mom") Reason #436:  Chik-Fil-A Lunch Date's with these two...

Throw in my sweet friend Helen (and her cutie pie Luke) and you've got all the reasons you need to Eat Mor Chicken.  Forget a paycheck I'll gladly work for smiles, nuggets and good conversation!

Happy Birthday to the Newest Spradlin

Last spring my brother married the beautiful Jenny Hauser...who honored him by officially becoming a "Spradlin".  Today is her first birthday sporting the name, we think she wears it quite nicely...

Jenny we are so very lucky to call you sister, Aunt, and friend!  We hope the year ahead is one of your best yet.  Thanks so much for honoring the Spradlin clan with your presence.  We love you!

I Heart Faces ~ Innocent Wonder

The theme this week over at I Heart Faces is Innocent Wonder.  I immediately thought of this photo of Emme from our "first birthday" session last week.  Who knows what is going on in that little mind...

Head over to I Heart Faces to see other innocent images this week.  Oh, and the guest judge is the amazing Kelle Hampton (I totally have a crush on her blog you should check it out if you haven't already!)

Monday Carter Edition #80~Often Imitated...

We had a great weekend filled with celebrating our little Emerson and hanging out with family, it was perfect.  My parents were here and my mom delivered a Christmas present from our sweet friends Laynce and Brooke to Carter.  Let's just say she is now topping the list when it comes to little girls trying to "imitate" the famous DCC (luckily we were able to convince her to change clothes before church)...

Thanks so much Brooke and Laynce for making our little munchkin' feel special!  There was also plenty of cake to go around...

Stay tuned for more party fun!

Dear Emerson, Today you are 1...

One year ago today we were here...

I was feeling quite happy (and a little exhausted) having just brought all 8 lbs 15 ounces of you into the world...

In an instant we went from three to four (which, in the famous words of Goldilocks, felt juuust right)...

It was love at first sight and we adored you...

And as smitten as we all were with you in the beginning I have to admit one year later we are just head over heels in love with you...

Obsessed with your laugh...

Your "Hi's and Bye Bye's"...

Your eyelashes that go on for days...

Your chubby legs...

Your clap...

The way you chew on your upper lip (my personal favorite)...

The look you get when I just know your contemplating something big (like maybe another dip in the toilet)...

Your "Where's Emerson?"....

Your determination...

Your button nose...

Your infectious giggle...

The way you look at me...

With eyes so blue you could take a swim in them...

You've got us all hooked, especially your beautiful older sister...

She's pretty crazy about you...

The two of you together=some mischief going on around here...

We are all crazy about you sweet little Emme and today a new year begins.  Today you walk into a year filled with learning, talking, playing, and a whole lotta' love.  But I won't forget this past year...

This past year was spent getting to know you and my heart is full of all the wonderful things that adding you to our family meant.  I love you baby girl. Happy Birthday...

XOXO, Your Mama

Monday Carter Edition #79~Memory Lane

We've got a big week coming up around here.  Our sweet little Emme Lou is going to be one on Wednesday.  I have to say it is a little different the second time around.  I knew going into this that the first year was going to fly...that I would blink and she would go from a tiny little bundle to a toddling munchkin'.  I could get a little teary just thinking about it.  But thanks to my sweet Carter I was prepared.  Having been through this all before I knew I should hold on to every minute and soak up each phase because they don't last long.  

All this reflection got me thinking about that "first time around".  The first year of my sweet little Carter's life.  Being that this blog didn't exist "way back when" I thought in lieu of the upcoming celebrations this week it might be appropriate to take a little trip down memory lane....

Not so long ago this little lady was, well, little...

Her daddy and I were also younger versions of ourselves...

She was our pride and joy and our sweet family made the trip to celebrate one year of her little life...

There were plenty of smiles to go around...

We added a few decorations to the mix and were ready to party...

And of course there was cake (she didn't need any help with that).... 

It was a special weekend (one I will never forget)...

This week we will celebrate a year of life again.  I'll take pictures.  I'll soak it in.  I will remind myself that too quickly my sweet little one year will go from this...

To this...

This week we'll be partying!