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Thirty four years ago today I was born. The story goes that mom went to the doctor on the 25th and the doctor said "no, go back home." She did and her water broke. And at 3:05am on the 26th I arrived, all 8lbs 3oz of me. She did it without drugs. I must give props to that! My dad says after I was born when he would drive home from the hospital at night (a thirty mile drive) he could not wipe the smile off of his face. He and mom spent Thanksgiving in the hospital that year. I've always enjoyed the fact that my birthday falls so close to this holiday, and even sometimes on the actual holiday. My parents named me Meredith Elaine. Meredith after a Dallas Cowboy. I truly love my name. Here's the best recent picture of me. I use the term best loosely.

Thirty four is such an odd birthday. Not yet thirty five, but clearly past thirty. I met all my goals thus far. I've graduated college. I had a very short, but fulfilling career as a police officer. I wanted to be married and have my first child by age thirty and I did that. Although not really my doing so much at God's. I've survived some stormy stuff. A miscarriage, a breast biopsy, IBS. And my mother-in-law. (I know, I know, you want the story on that, but let's save it for the next big drama-fest. With Christmas just around the corner, you know there will be something.)

I don't feel old. I don't even feel old enough to be a mom. But realistically I'm almost halfway done, right? In another thirty four years I'll be sixty eight. Okay. Well sixty eight isn't over. In fact these days, sixty eight is just about retirement age!

Hmmm. What else about me? In addition to being a Stay at Home Mom Extraordinaire, I also am a Close To My Heart Consultant. (So occasionally I may post something resembling art some time.) I have a really full life!

This next year will be bringing many exciting changes. By my next birthday, we'll be in a new home, maybe expecting a new baby, and of course, another year older and wiser!