Birthdays

So, today is baby Benson's birthday.  Slightly unbelievable how many years it's been.  What a blessing to our family!  (Have I ever mentioned to you--on the blog or in person--how much I adore my little brothers?  All my siblings really, but those little boys, they just rock my world! They were great as babies, so much fun as little boys (oh, so, so cute!!), great pals as teenagers, and now, better than ever--who would have thought that possible?! (B's still a teenager, let's not age us too much.))

Anyway, let's get back to the subject of this post--not the fabulous boys, but me.  One of the great things about Benson is that he was born on the 19th.  Cause he's special like that.  4 of the 8 of us chil'ns were born on the 19th of a month.  (Ro, me, A and B.  Father came a little too early on the 18th.) So, when Benson's birthday rolls around, I know it's almost mine.  Only 1/4 year to go!!  :)

And this year that's extra reason to celebrate because I'm turning 30!!!!   And I'm so excited!!

Does that surprise you?  It did my mother.  And a couple of other people I've told.  Why?  I have always loved birthdays.  And this a big, round, 10th-digit-changing number.  I've only ever had 2 of those.  I think it's awesome.  And they have been 30 (almost) amazing years.  Really, I get so giddy when I think about it.  I'd make a chain to count down (because clearly 3 decades haven't matured me much past childhood Christmas countdowns) except I'm moving in a couple of weeks.  And 92 is a lot of chains.  Maybe for the last 2 months.

But here's the thing.  And the main reason I'm writing this post.  For the past several months I've been thinking about the approaching milestone (that's what you do when you don't have children or school or anything else to take up your mental processes).  And I want to do something to make it a little out of the ordinary.  At one point long ago I had thought maybe I'd do a fun trip or something.  But I've since realized that's not going to happen this year. (Though Rachel is coming to play with me that week, so it will be like a special trip to Boston to celebrate--which anytime in the past 29 years would have seemed like a fun event, so we'll live it up as such.)

Anyway, when I realized a trip was out, my next thought was to do something before I turned 30.  You know, like run a marathon before I'm 30... (not really interested, just using that to illustrate).  Or, I don't know, something.  A few months ago when I really had time for something big I basically ruled it out because I felt like I had so little control over my days (that was when I was still looking for a job--any job).  But I've talked to a few folks about this since and I'd like to do something in the next 3 months.

And that's where you come in.  All this build up was really to ask you for suggestions.  Anyone have some suggestions for something(s) to do before I turn 30?   There are a lot of things I'd like to do and plan to do (like pass a second bar exam, find a home to live in, and maybe even find a legal job) but something else that's not just what's happening in my life, but something extra to celebrate.  It doesn't have to be big, just something.  Please comment away....

By the way, I'll probably say more about this, but right now I want to say loud and clear:  THANK YOU for being wonderful parts of these years.  I've said it before and will say it again, that's why they've been great years.  All the incredible people I've known in them.  :)