Twenty-Seven.

Turning twenty-seven is no monumental feat.
There is no fanfare and it is most definitely not a milestone birthday.

There is not much difference between turning twenty-six or twenty-seven or probably even twenty-eight. Except for what happens within that year.

Today, I turn twenty-seven.

And my life isn't much different between then and now except that it is.

I don't have to tell you everything we did this year or where we went or who we saw. Most likely if you're reading this you know.

I am not accomplished. Except in the eyes of the children living in this house. Because T thinks I'm a "famous" blogger. And M thinks I'm really smart. H, I'm still his hero because I can reach the snack cupboard in those moments he just needs a little pick-me-up.

I still haven't made my millions. Unless you're counting it in love and joy and overwhelming gratefulness.

I like to think that I have gotten over insecurities. That I have learned to be more gentle with myself. And more importantly, with others. I know that I have grown more. I have let more go and loved more unconditionally. Realizing no one needs to be deserving of love, just needy of it.

I've made more friends. Including mom friends, a goal of mine since my first pregnancy. I relish in this fact alone.

I've kept the old. Even when I'm bad at returning phone calls or emails or meeting up for as frequent dinners or coffees as in years past.

I've loved my husband. More and more each day. And it is so cliche' to say that my husband is the best one, but it's true. I pray that there is never a day that I stop thinking this. I couldn't have chosen a better knight. We continue to work on our hopes, our dreams and our life together and I have only good thoughts for our future.

My heart has grown and stretched and sobbed at the growth of our family. Miss E, is our little blessing but I've felt all the growing pains with H. Much to be expected, wouldn't you agree?

Aligned my thinking to remember that this is all temporary. Someday my life will not be as loud or as busy or as exciting. Perhaps I'll be sitting in a hammock in Hawaii looking back at all those moments where I've wanted to tear my hair out. And I'll laugh. I'll probably smile. And then I'll probably cry. Because it goes by so fast.

I've remembered and re-lived the fact that life is not fair. You're never guaranteed your health. And taking your life, your blessings, your health for granted is never acceptable.

I've realized the value, the true true value of contentment.

And wisdom.

So today, the day I turn twenty-seven, all I can do is count my blessings and continue to thank the Lord for the lessons, the blessings and the people He's sent my way the last twenty-seven years.

And hope that there are many more to come.